Testudo Times - Maryland football 2015 season in review
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2015-12-23T07:00:02-05:00
http://www.testudotimes.com/rss/stream/9634859
2015-12-23T07:00:02-05:00
2015-12-23T07:00:02-05:00
Big plays hit Maryland DBs hard again in 2015
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bAy0OBvhIq8oDNjAQDqLb_H2mCo=/0x87:3180x2207/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48422827/usa-today-8924975.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Long passes haunted the Terps for the second year in a row.</p> <p>During the course of our season in review, many units on Maryland's 3-9 team recieved positive grades. Our final unit, the secondary, isn't one of them. The Terps got torched by opposing quarterbacks for most of the year, and gave up a ton of long receptions.</p>
<h4>What we expected to happen</h4>
<p>Before the season, we said that Maryland's defensive backs needed to avoid giving up big plays to improve in 2015, <a target="new" href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2015/8/10/9120523/maryland-football-will-likely-secondary-stats-2015">and thought they would</a>. We figured the defensive backfield would be one of the team's few solid units as all of its players were experienced. We thought that Maryland's veteran secondary would be trying to make up for its young defensive line. Yeah, nope.</p>
<h4>The players</h4>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b>Name</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Pos</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Tackles</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>% of Team</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>TFL</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Sacks</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Int</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PBU</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>FF</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>FR</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sean Davis</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>6'1, 202</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td align="right">79.0</td>
<td align="right">11.1%</td>
<td align="right">5.5</td>
<td align="right">1.0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Nixon</td>
<td>S</td>
<td>6'1, 205</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td align="right">68.5</td>
<td align="right">9.6%</td>
<td align="right">4.5</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>A.J. Hendy</td>
<td>S</td>
<td>6'0, 208</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td align="right">62.0</td>
<td align="right">8.7%</td>
<td align="right">1.0</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William Likely</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>5'7, 175</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">39.5</td>
<td align="right">5.6%</td>
<td align="right">4.0</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alvin Hill</td>
<td>DB</td>
<td>6'0, 200</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td align="right">15.5</td>
<td align="right">2.2%</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Denzel Conyers</td>
<td>DB</td>
<td>6'3, 212</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">12.0</td>
<td align="right">1.7%</td>
<td align="right">2.0</td>
<td align="right">1.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Darnell Savage, Jr.</td>
<td>DB</td>
<td>5'10, 192</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td align="right">11.5</td>
<td align="right">1.6%</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jarrett Ross</td>
<td>DB</td>
<td>5'9, 198</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">9.5</td>
<td align="right">1.3%</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Daniel Ezeagwu</td>
<td>DB</td>
<td>6'0, 207</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td align="right">5.0</td>
<td align="right">0.7%</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<h4>The numbers</h4>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b></b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Team</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Rk</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Nat'l Average</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Std. Downs Run Rate</td>
<td align="center">61.2%</td>
<td align="center">53</td>
<td align="center">60.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pass. Downs Run Rate</td>
<td align="center">30.6%</td>
<td align="center">97</td>
<td align="center">33.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Overall Havoc Rate</td>
<td align="center">16.8%</td>
<td align="center">51</td>
<td align="center">16.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Passing Success Rate</td>
<td align="center">40.3%</td>
<td align="center">91</td>
<td align="center">40.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Passing IsoPPP</td>
<td align="center">1.66</td>
<td align="center">118</td>
<td align="center">1.48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DB Havoc Rate</td>
<td align="center">6.6%</td>
<td align="center">54</td>
<td align="center">6.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PD to INC</td>
<td align="center">29.4%</td>
<td align="center">92</td>
<td align="center">32.8%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>The basics</h4>
<p>Maryland's secondary didn't perform very well in 2015, and its easy to see why: <span>The Terps gave up big plays without being aggressive. That's a horrible combination. If you look beyond the team's already-bad 77th rank in passing S&P+, you'll see its 92-ranked passes defensed-to-interceptions ratio. PD-to-INC measures how aggressive your pass defense is, because teams that take risks and try to get their hands on passes tend to have some success doing so. That usually comes with a tradeoff, as taking those risks makes it more likely you'll give up big plays. Maryland didn't take those risks, but still managed to give up big plays.</span></p>
<p>The Terps finished the season 118th in defensive passing isoPPP, a stat that measures explosiveness. As in, how easy it was for other teams to get long gains through the air against Maryland.</p>
<p>Easily the standout in the secondary and one of the team's most valuable players, Will Likely was the only glimmer of light in this unit. He was a true shutdown corner for most of the season, as opposing quarterbacks tended to avoid throwing in his direction. Likely didn't record an interception, but had as many pass break-ups (11) as the rest of the starting secondary combined.</p>
<p>As with all defensive statistics from this team, it must be noted that a defense's job is much harder when its offense can't stay on the field. Maryland's offense wasn't the root of its secondary problem, but it still worth mentioning.</p>
<h4>The future</h4>
<p>For 2016, it ain't pretty. Likely is the only starter from this season who has any eligibility left, and it's not clear what the secondary will look like next year. DJ Durkin and new defensive backs coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim have clearly taken notice of this, as Maryland has offered four defensive backs since Durkin took over.</p>
<p>Freshman Darnell Savage was first off the bench whenever Likely needed a breather, and started in his place when Likely sat out against Rutgers with an injury. He should play a big role in the secondary next season, as should Jarrett Ross, who saw limited action this year. Beyond that, it will probably be a combination of players we haven't seen much of yet and true freshmen.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/12/23/10655958/will-likely-defensive-backs-stats-recap-2015
Ryan Connors
2015-12-18T07:30:02-05:00
2015-12-18T07:30:02-05:00
Maryland's special teams took a big step backward
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t8XzA8Xjqw3i1p-LdI6XX86scRQ=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48271609/GettyImages-181471591.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rob Carr/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A unit of strength became, at best, mediocre. </p> <p><span>Maryland's special teams declining sharply after a great 2014 season wasn't even on the top-50 list of reasons for the Terrapins' nine-loss season. </span></p>
<p><span>Special teams matter a lot, but they mostly make a difference at the margins. Bad special teams play probably cost Maryland exactly one game – a one-touchdown loss to Wisconsin on Nov. 7 in which Maryland gave up a kick return touchdown, allowed a 61-yard run on a fake punt and</span><a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/11/8/9689940/maryland-wisconsin-football-onside-kick-2015" style="background-color: #ffffff;"> went offsides</a><span> on a game-extending onside kick recovery. But this unit struggled virtually all season, save for a thrashing of FCS Richmond in the first game.</span></p>
<h4>What we thought was going to happen</h4>
<p>I <a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2015/8/14/9130673/maryland-football-special-teams-craddock-preview-stats-2015">sang the praises</a> of Maryland's special-teamers, which did a lot of good in 2014. In that season, Brad Craddock was by far the best kicker in college football, Will Likely was a strong return man and the team's coverage units were really solid. Maryland posted a special teams efficiency rate of 2.17 points per game, which was a top-10 figure. I expected that to continue and Maryland to have one of the country's top units again.</p>
<h4>The players</h4>
<p><b>K Brad Craddock, senior, No. 15</b></p>
<p><b>K Adam Greene, sophomore, No. 3. </b></p>
<p><b>P Nicolas Pritchard, freshman, No. 95.</b></p>
<p><b>KR/PR Will Likely, junior, No. 4. </b></p>
<p><b>LS Nate Adams, sophomore, No. 56. </b></p>
<p>... and a host of others who chipped in at various points.</p>
<h4>The numbers</h4>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b>Punter</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Punts</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Avg</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>TB</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>FC</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>I20</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>FC/I20<br>Ratio</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nicolas Pritchard</td>
<td>5'10, 220</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td align="right">55</td>
<td align="right">38.2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">18</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">52.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brad Craddock</td>
<td>6'1, 195</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right">36.4</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">77.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lee Shrader</td>
<td>6'1, 215</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">33.2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">40.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b>Kicker</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Kickoffs</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Avg</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>TB</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>TB%</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>OOB</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Fair<br>Catches</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Onside<br>Att</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Onside<br>Success</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brad Craddock</td>
<td>6'1, 195</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td align="right">38</td>
<td align="right">63.9</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">36.8%</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Greene</td>
<td>5'11, 185</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td align="right">19</td>
<td align="right">56.5</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">10.5%</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b>Place-Kicker</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PAT</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>FG</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Pct</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brad Craddock</td>
<td>6'1, 195</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td align="right">22-23</td>
<td align="right">8-10</td>
<td align="right">80.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Greene</td>
<td>5'11, 185</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td align="right">11-11</td>
<td align="right">3-5</td>
<td align="right">60.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b>Kick Returner</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Returns</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Avg.</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>TD</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Fair Catch</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Fumbles (Lost)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William Likely</td>
<td>5'7, 175</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">35</td>
<td align="right">22.5</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Taivon Jacobs</td>
<td>5'9, 165</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">19.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ty Johnson</td>
<td>5'10, 184</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">25.0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0 (0)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b>Punt Returner</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Returns</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Avg.</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>TD</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Fair Catch</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Fumbles (Lost)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William Likely</td>
<td>5'7, 175</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">23</td>
<td align="right">18.2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">1 (1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ty Johnson</td>
<td>5'10, 184</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">13.7</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0 (0)<br><br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/pages/2015-maryland-advanced-statistical-profile">All data via SB Nation's Bill Connelly.</a></p>
<p>Maryland's special teams efficiency (as measured at <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/teamratings/_/year/2014/sort/stEfficiency/tab/efficiency">ESPN</a>) fell from No. 9 to No. 73 nationally, about average overall. (There have been some data shortages this season on special teams statistics.)</p>
<h4>The basics</h4>
<p>Likely was an All-American returner, but Maryland didn't cover very well, and Craddock got few field goal opportunities and then got hurt. He only got the chance to go 8 of 10 on field goals, which is a tragic waste of one of the best legs in the sport. The year before, he was 18 of 19. Pritchard struggled badly as the starting punter, averaging a Big Ten-worst 38.2 yards per punt. When a team punts six times per game, as Maryland did, that doesn't work.</p>
<h4>The future</h4>
<p>Likely has another year of eligibility, and Pritchard should get better. Coverage units are really a matter of coaching more than anything, and Maryland should finally install a full-time special teams coach before next season. (Last year, Randy Edsall coached the unit until his midseason firing, and nobody knows what happened after that.) The challenge here is at kicker, where Greene will have big cleats to fill. Unless there's a transfer or a push from third-stringer Daniel Sutton, that's probably his job. He was 3 of 5 on field goals this year.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/12/18/10413096/brad-craddock-will-likely-terps
Alex Kirshner
2015-12-17T07:00:03-05:00
2015-12-17T07:00:03-05:00
Injuries hit Maryland LBs hard in 2015
<figure>
<img alt="Maryland linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. makes a tackle against Ohio State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/llF23ZvWf-l51o0VXixfPv3zthQ=/0x74:1652x1175/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48212585/usa-today-8851225.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Maryland linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. makes a tackle against Ohio State | Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Injuries played a part in a down year for what should be a deep unit next season.</p> <p>It's rare for a team to go through a season without the injury bug hitting one unit hard. In 2012, it hit Maryland's quarterbacks. In 2015, it hit the team's linebackers. <span>Abner Logan</span> and <span>Jefferson Ashiru</span>, both of whom entered the season as projected starters, went down in 2015, forcing the Terps into a tough situation.</p>
<h4>What we expected to happen</h4>
<p>We didn't separate the linebackers and defensive tackles in our season preview, but we expected Maryland to stifle the run a little better than it did in 2014 due to its shift to a 4-3 alignment. However, the linebacker unit was mired in uncertainty, as the Terps were graduating three of last season's starters (<span>Matt Robinson</span>, <span>Cole Farrand</span> and <span>L.A. Goree</span>) and moving one (<span>Yannick Ngakoue</span>) to defensive end. Maryland did significantly better against the run in 2015, but the team's pass defense was worse.</p>
<h4>The players</h4>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Pos</td>
<td>Ht, Wt</td>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Tackles</td>
<td>% of Team</td>
<td>TFL</td>
<td>Sacks</td>
<td>Int</td>
<td>PBU</td>
<td>FF</td>
<td>FR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jermaine Carter Jr.</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>6'0, 240</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>84.5</td>
<td>11.9%</td>
<td>14.0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Jalen Brooks</span></td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>6'1, 232</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td>48.0</td>
<td>6.8%</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Avery Thompson</span></td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>6'2, 228</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td>30.0</td>
<td>4.2%</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Brett Zanotto</span></td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>5'10, 220</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td>18.0</td>
<td>2.5%</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Jefferson Ashiru</span></td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>6'1, 235</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td>18.0</td>
<td>2.5%</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Tyler Burke</span></td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>6'3, 245</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td>7.0</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<h4>The numbers</h4>
<h5 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 19px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 23px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;"></h5>
<table border="1" class="sbn-data-table" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm A', 'Gotham Narrow SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; width: 703px; border: 6px solid #ccd1d5; text-align: center; line-height: 1.125em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 13px; color: #292929;">
<tbody style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><br></td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Team</b></td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Rk</b></td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Nat'l Average</b></td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">Std. Downs Run Rate</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">61.2%</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">53</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">60.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Pass. Downs Run Rate</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">30.6%</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">97</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">33.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">Overall Havoc Rate</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">16.8%</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">51</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">16.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">DL Havoc Rate</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">6.9%</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">24</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">5.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">LB Havoc Rate</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">3.1%</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">101</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">4.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-even" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">DB Havoc Rate</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">6.6%</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">54</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">6.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ui-state-odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">PD to INC</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">29.4%</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">92</td>
<td align="center" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;">32.8%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>The basics</h4>
<p>After injuries to Logan (preseason) and <span>Ashiru (week 6), Jermaine Carter Jr. stepped up as the leader of the linebacking corps. As the middle linebacker and a member of the team's leadership council, he would have been an important piece anyway, but he took on an even larger role without Logan and Ashiru by his side. </span></p>
<p><span>Sophomore <span>Jalen Brooks</span> opened the season as Logan's replacement, finishing the season fifth on the team with 48 tackles. Filling in for Ashiru for the final six games of the season, senior <span>Avery Thompson</span> finished with 30 tackles and 2 pass break-ups. Maryland would have probably seen a better performance out of Logan and Jefferson, both of whom were four-star recruits. </span></p>
<p>The linebackers definitely helped contribute to Maryland's vast improvement stopping the run, where the Terps moved from 72nd to 34th in defensive S&P+. However, the stats don't tell a very favorable story about the unit as a whole.</p>
<p><iframe class="highcharts-iframe" src="//cloud.highcharts.com/embed/efeqah" style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 500px"></iframe></p>
<p><span>Maryland's linebackers finished with the 101st linebacker havoc rate in the country, which measures the percentage of plays on which the unit made a tackle for a loss, forced a fumble or defensed a pass. Maryland's defensive backs had the 54th-best havoc rate in the country, so some of the blame for Maryland's 77th-ranked defense in passing S&P+ has to fall on the linebackers.</span></p>
<p>That said, the unit also deserves some praise for the team's improvement in rushing S&P+, where the Terps went from 72nd in 2014 to 34th 2015. As the team's leading tackler, Carter deserves a lot of credit for that jump. Behind outstanding defensive end <span>Yannick Ngakoue</span>, he was in opposing team's backfields more than anyone else on the team, registering 14 tackles for loss, only 0.5 fewer than Ngakoue.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 500px" src="//cloud.highcharts.com/embed/uqojux" class="highcharts-iframe"></iframe></p>
<h4>The future</h4>
<p>Carter will be one of the faces of Maryland's defense next season, while Logan and Brooks should be back to man the outside linebacker spots. Joining them will be <span>Melvin Keihn</span>, who sat out this season after transferring from Virginia Tech, but should be poised to <a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/sbn_entries/preview/8848572" target="_blank">challenge for a starting spot as well</a>.</p>
<p>Ashiru's position is unclear, as he could potentially gain a medical redshirt and be granted a final year of eligibility. Keandre Jones, Maryland's four-star outside linebacker commit in the class of 2016, could also be ready to see playing time next year. With or without Jones, Maryland looks to have enough depth next season to withstand some injuries. If everyone stays healthy, the Terps should have quality unit that matches up well with the rest of the Big Ten.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/12/17/10149740/linebackers-jermaine-carter-stats-2015-review
Ryan Connors
2015-12-16T07:00:02-05:00
2015-12-16T07:00:02-05:00
Maryland's DL improved more than expected in 2015
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_Gt2fXaI_ZMh_EbUhR4o5zNV9-c=/0x0:4452x2968/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48070037/usa-today-8939948.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terps' defensive line was one of the best in the country at getting to the quarterback, but losing Yannick Ngakoue will hurt.</p> <p>Maryland football switched to a 4-3 alignment in 2015, shedding the 3-4 the team had stuck to under previous defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, joining the majority of the Big Ten and the majority of college football. The Terps also graduated most of its front seven, but still saw marked improvement from its new defensive line.</p>
<h4>What we thought was going to happen</h4>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2015/8/3/9084141/maryland-football-4-3-defense-keith-dudzinski-2015">In our preseason preview</a>, we thought Maryland's switch to the 4-3 would improve upon a 2014 defense that got gashed by opposing team's running backs. From the end of the 2014 season to the end of 2015, Maryland's defense went from 72nd in rushing S&P+ to 34th. The defensive line held its own in 2015, and improved more than we expected.</p>
<h4>The players</h4>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Name</b></td>
<td><b>Pos</b></td>
<td><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td><b>Year</b></td>
<td><b>Tackles</b></td>
<td><b>% of Team</b></td>
<td><b>TFL</b></td>
<td><b>Sacks</b></td>
<td><b>FF</b></td>
<td><b>FR</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Yannick Ngakoue</span></td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>6'2, 255</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>31.5</td>
<td>4.4%</td>
<td>14.5</td>
<td>13.0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Quinton Jefferson</span></td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>6'3, 289</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>31.0</td>
<td>4.4%</td>
<td>12.5</td>
<td>6.5</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Roman Braglio</span></td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>6'2, 262</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>27.5</td>
<td>3.9%</td>
<td>5.5</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Azubuike Ukandu</span></td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>6'0, 307</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>19.5</td>
<td>2.7%</td>
<td>7.0</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Jesse Aniebonam</span></td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>6'3, 260</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td>18.5</td>
<td>2.6%</td>
<td>6.5</td>
<td>3.5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Kingsley Opara</span></td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>6'3, 305</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td>12.0</td>
<td>1.7%</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Chandler Burkett</span></td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>6'3, 240</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td>6.0</td>
<td>0.8%</td>
<td>2.5</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Cavon Walker</span></td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>6'2, 240</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>6.0</td>
<td>0.8%</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<h4>The numbers</h4>
<table style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm A', 'Gotham Narrow SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; width: 703px; border: 6px solid #ccd1d5; text-align: center; line-height: 1.125em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 13px; color: #292929;" class="sbn-data-table" border="1">
<tbody style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-even">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Team</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Rk</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Nat'l Average</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-odd">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">Std. Downs Run Rate</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">61.2%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">53</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">60.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-even">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Pass. Downs Run Rate</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">30.6%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">97</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">33.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-odd">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">Overall Havoc Rate</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">16.8%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">51</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">16.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-even">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">DL Havoc Rate</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">6.9%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">24</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">5.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-odd">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">LB Havoc Rate</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">3.1%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">101</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">4.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-even">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">DB Havoc Rate</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">6.6%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">54</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">6.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-odd">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">PD to INC</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">29.4%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">92</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">32.8%<br><br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/pages/2015-maryland-advanced-statistical-profile" style="font-size: 12px;">All stats via SB Nation's Bill Connelly</a>.</p>
<h4>The basics</h4>
<p>Maryland improved in almost every category defensively.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 500px" src="//cloud.highcharts.com/embed/ajekyg" class="highcharts-iframe"></iframe></p>
<p>As you can see, the biggest improvement Maryland made was in the pass-rushing department. The Terps went from 88th in adjusted sack rate in 2014 to 20th in 2015. <span>Yannick Ngakoue</span> led that charge, finishing the season tied for second in the nation in sacks. <span>Quinton Jefferson</span>, <span>Roman Braglio</span>, <span>Azubuike Ukandu</span> and <span>Jesse Aniebonam</span> and had at least three sacks apiece, but Maryland's poor secondary contributed to the team still finishing 77th in defensive passing S&P+.</p>
<p>The Terps defense also finished 34th in the country in adjusted line yards, which measures how many yards the opposing offensive line accounts for in the running game. That means Maryland's lineman were holding their ground against the bruisers of the Big Ten. <span>Quinton Jefferson's</span> name flew a bit under the radar this season, but after moving from defensive end in the 3-4 to tackle in the 4-3, he was a big reason for the line's success. He had 31 tackles on the season, good for second on the defensive line, including 12.5 tackles for loss and 6 sacks.</p>
<h4>The future</h4>
<p>Ngakoue already declared for the draft, so Maryland will be without its top defensive performer from 2015. However, <span>David Shaw</span> and <span>Adam McLean</span> should be back after the former suffered a season-ending elbow injury and the latter unenrolled from school after an eligibility issue, although he is expected to return to the program.</p>
<p>Adding Shaw and McLean to a line that already includes Jefferson and Azubuike Ukandu should give the Terps a stocked interior. Jesse Aniebonam, who should be a speedy pass-rushing threat, and Roman Braglio, who quietly had a breakout year in 2015, will probably man the ends next season.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/12/16/10036244/defensive-line-yannick-ngakoue-stats-2015
Ryan Connors
2015-12-15T07:15:02-05:00
2015-12-15T07:15:02-05:00
Maryland's tight ends played a bigger role in 2015
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qUT95OX3iCSHUHJSnhzAGfE9qDw=/0x8:2304x1544/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48042275/usa-today-8810963.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terps virtually ignored tight ends as receivers in 2014, but freshman Avery Edwards changed that this season.</p> <p>The Maryland football team started to think of tight ends as pass-catchers in 2015, after a several-year period in which they were almost completely neglected in that part of the Terps' offense. Maryland's tight ends weren't receiving standouts, but they were at least <i>involved</i>, and most of them have multiple years of eligibility to build on what they did this year. The position could be a strength if the chips fall correctly in 2016.</p>
<h4>The players</h4>
<p><b> Avery Edwards, freshman, No. 82.</b></p>
<p><b>P.J. Gallo, redshirt junior, No. 88.</b></p>
<p><b>Derrick Hayward, sophomore, No. 48.</b></p>
<p>Tight ends Andrew Isaacs, Andrew Gray and Eric Roca did not appear this season.</p>
<h4>What we thought was going to happen</h4>
<p>After Maryland's tight ends were wholly irrelevant to the passing offense in 2014, I thought Maryland would get the position <a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2015/7/20/8997469/avery-edwards-maryland-football-tight-end">a bit more involved </a>this season. That turned out to be true, at least to a point.</p>
<h4>The numbers</h4>
<table style="table-layout: fixed; font-size: 13px; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ccc;" border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Player"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Player</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pos."]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Pos.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ht, Wt"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Ht, Wt</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Year"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Year</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Targets"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Targets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Catches"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Catches</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Yards"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Yards</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TD"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">TD</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Yds/ Catch"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Yds/ Catch</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Yds/ Target"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Yds/ Target</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]' data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Catch Rate"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Catch Rate</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]' data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Target Rate"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Target Rate</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Avery Edwards"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Avery Edwards</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TE"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">TE</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2," style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">6'4, 234</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">FR</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,28]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">28</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,14]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">14</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,115]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">115</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,8.2]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">8.2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4.1]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">4.1</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.5]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">50.0%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.08]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">8.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"P.J. Gallo"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">P.J. Gallo</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TE"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">TE</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2," style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">6'2, 250</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"JR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">JR</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,6]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">6</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,9]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">9</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4.5]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">4.5</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1.5]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">1.5</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.333]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">33.3%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.017]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">1.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Derrick Hayward"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial;">Derrick Hayward</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TE"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">TE</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2," style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">6'5, 240</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SO"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-family: Arial;">SO</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,10]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">10</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,5]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">5</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2.5]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">2.5</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.5]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">50.0%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.011]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; font-family: Arial;">1.1%<span> </span>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Maryland tight ends received 10.7 percent of the team's receiving targets, up from 4.1 percent in 2014. So they were drastically more involved overall, even though Edwards accounted for almost the whole difference. </span></p>
<h4>The basics</h4>
<p>The only tight end who mattered much to the passing game was Edwards, a former four-star North Carolina commit who joined Maryland this season as a true freshman. Edwards only caught 50 percent of the balls Maryland quarterbacks threw his way, but that was a higher percentage than a couple of teammates in Maryland's receiving rotation.</p>
<p>Gallo, who will leave the program with a year of eligibility remaining for a job with Goldman Sachs, was a good blocker. Check out this seal of two Indiana defenders that sprang Brandon Ross for a long touchdown run in November:</p>
<p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/izzWxTtxi7U/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
</p>
<h4>The future</h4>
<p>Edwards should continue to be good as a receiving threat, but this gets interesting after him. Isaacs didn't play a down this season after suffering a knee dislocation in September 2014. Isaacs is a former four-star recruit who's now been on Maryland's roster for three seasons, but he's only made three starts at tight end and will have been out of game action for almost a full two years by the time next season starts. For Maryland, it'd be great if Isaacs could re-calibrate and tap into his apparent potential noticed during his time as a top recruit.</p>
<p>Maryland does not presently have a tight end commitment in its 2016 recruiting class. If nobody leaves or commits, the tight ends on Maryland's roster next season will be Edwards, Isaacs, Gray, Rocca and Hayward. That's a potentially good group of players, and perhaps one that could expand on the 10.7 percent of team receiving targets it got this year.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/12/15/10110922/avery-edwards-terps-tight-end-stats-recruiting
Alex Kirshner
2015-12-14T10:00:03-05:00
2015-12-14T10:00:03-05:00
The Maryland offensive line's big leap forward
<figure>
<img alt="Maryland guard Andrew Zeller gets set in a game against Penn State on Oct. 24." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DqHdwzoBuQnGEW2fV7nj08wWf5w=/0x0:808x539/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48035781/Screen_Shot_2015-12-14_at_9.00.59_AM.0.0.png" />
<figcaption>Maryland guard Andrew Zeller gets set in a game against Penn State on Oct. 24. | Sammi Silber</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This line wasn't as good as its numbers, but it was better than any Maryland unit in recent seasons. </p> <p id="paragraph0">The Maryland football team had to contend with terrible offensive line play for almost Randy Edsall's entire tenure as the program's head coach. So it is ironic that in Edsall's swan song at Maryland, he managed to put together a perfectly capable offensive line that did an overall good job in 2015 and is primed to get even better in seasons to come.</p>
<h4>What we thought was going to happen</h4>
<p>In a<a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2015/8/11/9114411/maryland-offensive-line-preview-terps-football-2015-edsall"> preseason preview</a> of the offensive line, I suggested it was due to get a lot better this season. That projection was rooted in two things: Experience and size. Maryland would finally get a look at five-star redshirt freshman tackle Damian Prince – an exciting prospect – but would otherwise trot out a veteran line: Mike Dunn at left tackle, Ryan Doyle at left guard, Evan Mulrooney at center, Andrew Zeller at right guard and Prince at right tackle.</p>
<p>Though Prince missed some time with injuries and former walk-on Mike Minter started the season at left guard with Doyle shifting to the right flank, that did turn out to be mostly how Maryland looked.</p>
<h4>The players</h4>
<p id="paragraph1"><b>Michael Dunn, junior, No. 76.</b></p>
<p><b>Ryan Doyle, senior, No. 55.</b></p>
<p id="paragraph2"><b>Evan Mulrooney, senior, No. 50.</b></p>
<p id="paragraph3"><b>Andrew Zeller, senior, No. 66.</b></p>
<p><b>Damian Prince, freshman, No. 58.</b></p>
<p><b>Derwin Gray, freshman, No. 75. </b></p>
<p><b>Mike Minter, sophomore, No. 63.</b></p>
<p><b>JaJuan Dulaney, sophomore, No. 54</b></p>
<p><b>Maurice Shelton, junior, No. 79</b></p>
<p>(Includes all offensive linemen who played in at least three games.)</p>
<h4>The numbers</h4>
<p><i></i></p>
<p><i><i></i></i></p>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b></b></td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><b>Offense</b></td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><b>Defense</b></td>
<td align="center"><b></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b></b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Avg.</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Rk</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Avg.</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Rk</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Nat'l Avg.</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Rushing S&P+</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>119.6</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>12</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>111.8</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>34</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>100.0</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Rushing Success Rate</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>40.7%</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>84</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>42.5%</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>72</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>42.3%</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Rushing IsoPPP</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>1.37</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>2</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>0.95</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>21</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>1.08</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adj. Line Yards</td>
<td align="center">111.2</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">109.2</td>
<td align="center">34</td>
<td align="center">100.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Opportunity Rate</td>
<td align="center">40.2%</td>
<td align="center">50</td>
<td align="center">38.4%</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">39.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Power Success Rate</td>
<td align="center">51.7%</td>
<td align="center">124</td>
<td align="center">61.0%</td>
<td align="center">38</td>
<td align="center">66.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stuff Rate</td>
<td align="center">21.1%</td>
<td align="center">86</td>
<td align="center">20.2%</td>
<td align="center">62</td>
<td align="center">19.5%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><i></i></p>
<p id="paragraph11">The offensive columns are what matter here.</p>
<p><i><a data-ref-index="6" target="new" href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/pages/2015-maryland-advanced-statistical-profile">All stats via SB Nation's Bill Connelly</a>.</i></p>
<h4>The basics</h4>
<p id="paragraph12">Before the season, I used a chart to point out just how egregious Maryland's offensive lines had been under Edsall:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vIo3iIRoYGyKWXDK7L1IvHeemi0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4938593/image__3_.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>What you're looking at, here, is a plot of Maryland's sacks allowed and team rushing average (per carry) for each of Edsall's first four seasons at Maryland. The thick lines are national averages for sacks allowed (green) and per-carry rushing averages (red). Teams want their own sack numbers (thin yellow) to be <i>below </i>the green line, while they want their rushing numbers (thin blue) to be <i>above </i>the red line. If you're outside both lines, that's an offensive line that's probably seeing good results. If you're inside both lines, that means you're giving up sacks and not running the ball well.</p>
<p>It's easy to see that Maryland's line in 2011 – Edsall's first season – was pretty good. But then things got dark, as Maryland wasn't even average at sack prevention <i>or </i>rushing average in any of the next three years. (These are simplistic stats, but bear with me.)</p>
<p>But look at what happens when we add 2015 into the graph:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CnKZiFvz8hDW5zT2hUUqO2bF898=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4938599/image__4_.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Hey, that's pretty good. Maryland gave up sacks at almost exactly the national average rate, but its running game improved by leaps and bounds. The Terps averaged 5.46 yards per carry against a 4.46-yard national average.</p>
<p>It's not right to give the offensive line all the credit. The line didn't give up any sacks in its first three games but let up 25 in its last nine, almost three per game. And a lot of Maryland's biggest rushing plays were the result of pass-rushers getting too far up the field against quarterback Perry Hills, who took advantage of coverage breakdowns and just ran forward, like he did on this 75-yard run against Ohio State.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FGfjrFgSG1k" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Runs like that aren't the result of good blocking so much as the result of opposing teams deciding not to bother with QB spies on defense. And that was a pretty common thing.</p>
<p>Then again, Brandon Ross and Maryland's running backs generally saw great gains this season. And <i>that, </i>it seems, had a lot more to do with schematic and competent blocking, like on this play:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="600" width="600" src="https://vine.co/v/izulbzHY7Jt/embed/simple"></iframe>
<script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
</p>
<p>Doyle was a lot better as a left guard than he was as a right tackle. Mulrooney did a nice job replacing the departed Sal Conaboy at center. Dunn and Zeller continued to be solid, and Prince didn't often look overmatched in a league that features some of the best defensive ends in the entire country. The numbers were pretty good, and so were the players.</p>
<h4>The future</h4>
<p>The future here is bright, maybe more than any other position group on the roster. Prince and Gray have three years apiece of remaining eligibility. Four-star guard Quarvez Boulware will shed his redshirt next season. The whole position group, before any true freshmen, could look something like this:</p>
<table style="table-layout: fixed; font-size: 13px; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ccc;" border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Player"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;">Player</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Position"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: #555555; text-align: center;">Position</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Height, Weight"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: #555555; text-align: center;">Height, Weight</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Class"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: #555555; text-align: center;">Class</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rivals"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: #555555; text-align: center;">Rivals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"247 Composite"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: #555555; text-align: center;">247 Composite</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Michael Dunn"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">Michael Dunn</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LT"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">LT</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'5, 306"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'5, 306</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">Sr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">NR</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Derwin Gray"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;">Derwin Gray</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LT"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">LT</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'5, 315"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">6'5, 315</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSSo."]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RSSo.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"4 stars (5.8)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">4 stars (5.8)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.925]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">0.925</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Banks Agaruwa"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">Banks Agaruwa</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LT"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">LT</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'5, 250"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'5, 250</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSSo."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RSSo.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">NR</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mike Minter"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;">Mike Minter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LG"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">LG</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'3, 310"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">6'3, 310</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">Jr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">NR</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sean Christie"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">Sean Christie</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LG"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">LG</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'4, 310"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'4, 310</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSSo."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RSSo.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"2 stars (5.4)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">2 stars (5.4)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.811]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">0.811</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Will McClain"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;">Will McClain</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LG"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">LG</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'5, 305"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">6'5, 305</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSFr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RSFr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"3 stars (5.5)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">3 stars (5.5)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.8292]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">0.8292</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Brendan Moore"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">Brendan Moore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"C"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">C</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'3, 292"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'3, 292</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSSo."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RSSo.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"3 stars (5.5)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">3 stars (5.5)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.821]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">0.821</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Joe Marchese"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;">Joe Marchese</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"C"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">C</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'3, 281"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">6'3, 281</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSSo."]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RSSo.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">NR</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Tyler Smith"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">Tyler Smith</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"C"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">C</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'2, 310"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'2, 310</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSFr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RSFr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">NR</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Maurice Shelton"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">Maurice Shelton</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RG"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RG</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'3, 304"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'3, 304</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">Sr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">NR</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NR"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ellis McKennie"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;">Ellis McKennie</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RG"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RG</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'3, 305"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">6'3, 305</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSFr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RSFr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"3 stars (5.7)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">3 stars (5.7)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.8358]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">0.8358</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quarvez Boulware"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">Quarvez Boulware</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RG"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RG</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'2, 304"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'2, 304</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSFr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RSFr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"4 stars (5.8)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">4 stars (5.8)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.9039]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">0.9039</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
<td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Damian Prince"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;">Damian Prince</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RT"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RT</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'3, 325"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">6'3, 325</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSSo."]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RSSo.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"5 stars (6.1)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">5 stars (6.1)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.9858]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">0.9858</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"JaJuan Dulaney"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">JaJuan Dulaney</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RT"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RT</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'3, 295"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'3, 295</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">Jr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"3 stars (5.5)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">3 stars (5.5)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.8432]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">0.8432</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"EJ Donahue"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed;">EJ Donahue</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RT"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RT</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'5, 320"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">6'5, 320</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSFr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">RSFr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"3 stars (5.6)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">3 stars (5.6)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.8867]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #e4e9ed; font-family: arial; color: #555555; text-align: center;">0.8867</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mason Zimmerman"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom;">Mason Zimmerman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RT"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RT</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6'5, 310"]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">6'5, 310</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RSFr."]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">RSFr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"2 stars (5.4)"]' style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">2 stars (5.4)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.8311]" style="padding: 2px 3px; font-family: arial; color: #555555; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center;">0.8311</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>That's a lot of beef. It's also reason to think Maryland's line will keep getting better. In the Big Ten, it's a necessary foundation.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/12/14/10104218/terps-2015-stats-recap-offensive-line
Alex Kirshner
2015-12-12T07:00:03-05:00
2015-12-12T07:00:03-05:00
Maryland's RBs quietly had a very good season
<figure>
<img alt="Brandon Ross ended his Maryland career on a high note, rushing for a combined 418 yards and 6 touchdowns in the team's final two games." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eCoJcUe5wIGe2OCWd_YbtowMAD4=/0x0:2711x1807/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47863225/usa-today-8958156.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brandon Ross ended his Maryland career on a high note, rushing for a combined 418 yards and 6 touchdowns in the team's final two games. | Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Brandon Ross led what was actually quite a productive unit.</p> <p>Welcome to the third edition of our Maryland football season in review, where we are evaluate each unit's performance in 2015. While the Terps' passing game was downright unwatchable this season, the Terps' rushing attack had an under-the-radar amazing year.</p>
<h4>The players:</h4>
<p><b>Brandon Ross, senior, No. 45.</b></p>
<p><b>Wes Brown, junior, No. 4.</b></p>
<p><b>Ty Johnson, freshman, No, 6.</b></p>
<p><b>Kenneth Goins Jr, junior, No. 30.</b></p>
<h4>The numbers</h4>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Player</b></td>
<td><b>Pos.</b></td>
<td><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td><b>Year</b></td>
<td><b>Rushes</b></td>
<td><b>Yards</b></td>
<td><b>TD</b></td>
<td><b>Yards/Carry</b></td>
<td><b>Hlt Yds/Opp.</b></td>
<td><b>Opp. Rate</b></td>
<td><b>Fumbles (Lost)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brandon Ross</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>5'10, 210</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td>152</td>
<td>956</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>6.3</td>
<td>9.5</td>
<td>35.5%</td>
<td>4 (3)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Perry Hills</td>
<td>QB
</td>
<td>6'2, 210</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>92</td>
<td>639</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>6.9</td>
<td>7.2</td>
<td>47.8</td>
<td>5 (2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wes Brown</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>6'0, 210</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>71</td>
<td>317</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>4.5</td>
<td>3.4</td>
<td>38.0%</td>
<td>1 (1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ty Johnson</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>5'10, 184</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td>35</td>
<td>250</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>7.1</td>
<td>9.0</td>
<td>40.0</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kenneth Goins Jr.</td>
<td>FB</td>
<td>5'9, 233</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>6.7</td>
<td>18.1</td>
<td>22.2</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tfoot></tfoot>
</table>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p><i><br></i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p><i><i><i>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b></b></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><b>Offense</b></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center"><b>Defense</b></td>
<td align="center"><b></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b></b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Avg.</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Rk</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Avg.</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Rk</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Nat'l Avg.</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Rushing S&P+</b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 119.6 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 12 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 111.8 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 34 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 100.0 </b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b>Rushing Success Rate</b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 40.7% </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 84 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 42.5% </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 72 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 42.3% </b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b>Rushing IsoPPP</b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 1.37 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 2 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 0.95 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 21 </b></td>
<td align="center"><b> 1.08 </b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Adj. Line Yards</td>
<td align="center">111.2</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">109.2</td>
<td align="center">34</td>
<td align="center">100.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Opportunity Rate</td>
<td align="center">40.2%</td>
<td align="center">50</td>
<td align="center">38.4%</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">39.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Power Success Rate</td>
<td align="center">51.7%</td>
<td align="center">124</td>
<td align="center">61.0%</td>
<td align="center">38</td>
<td align="center">66.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Stuff Rate</td>
<td align="center">21.1%</td>
<td align="center">86</td>
<td align="center">20.2%</td>
<td align="center">62</td>
<td align="center">19.5%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</i></i></i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p style="font-size: 12px; font-style: normal;"><i><i><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/pages/2015-maryland-advanced-statistical-profile" target="new">All stats via SB Nation's Bill Connelly</a>.</i></i></p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>The basics</h4>
<p>Maryland's running backs had easily the most productive season out of any skill position on the team. The Terps ended the season ranking 12th in rushing S&P+, finishing only four spots behind Big Ten foe Ohio State. However, that stat doesn't completely reflect the running backs' performance, as quarterback Perry Hills ended the season as the team's second-leading rusher.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 500px" src="//cloud.highcharts.com/embed/yzuxaw" class="highcharts-iframe"></iframe></p>
<p>Brandon Ross was the Terps' standout running back, accounting for 38 percent of the team's yardage on the ground and starting 11 out of the team's 12 games. Ross wasn't a complete back early in the year, as coaches noted he was not doing a good job of pass-blocking.</p>
<p>He and Wes Brown split carries for much of the season, but Ross absolutely torched Indiana and Rutgers after Brown was suspended indefinitely. Ross averaged 9.4 highlight yards per opportunity, which measures the yards that the running back himself is solely responsible for. That was highest on the team, as Johnson had 9.0 and Brown only had 3.4. In addition to his lack of explosiveness, Brown didn't have any games where he stood out, as his 74-yard performance against Richmond was his highest total of the year.</p>
<p>Maryland's running backs also had the second-most explosive running game in the country, according to S&P+. That makes sense, because the Terps didn't spend a whole lot of time on their opponents' side of the 50. In the last 2 games of the season, Heck, even fullback Kenneth Goins Jr., who mainly serves as a blocker, ripped off a 40-yard touchdown run against Rutgers.</p>
<h4>The future</h4>
<p>Ross, who ended his four-year career at Maryland ninth on the school's all-time rushing yards list, leaves a question mark in his absence. He wasn't always as explosive as he was toward the end of his senior season, but he was a reliable running back whom the Terps will miss next year. It's unclear how long Brown's suspension will last, so we could be looking at an incredibly youthful backfield for Maryland next season. Three-star running backs Jake Funk and Lorenzo Harrison could contribute as freshmen, but it's very unlikely they would be able to carry the load for the offense.</p>
<p>Whoever is in the backfield, they'll benefit from a solid offensive line next season. If there's one thing Randy Edsall understood, it's that the Big Ten is a "lineman league." In 2015, the Terps ranked 21st in adjusted line yards, which measures how much yardage the line accounts for. With Damian Prince, Derwin Gray and Quarvez Boulware manning the line in the future, Maryland's running backs should have some openings.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/12/12/9893364/terps-2015-stats-recap-ross-brown-johnson-running-backs
Ryan Connors
2015-12-09T06:55:02-05:00
2015-12-09T06:55:02-05:00
QB play limited Maryland WR opportunities in 2015
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9oUE2E4lbU5yFnQdDvp5D4-qNmM=/0x0:3095x2063/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47829015/usa-today-8940172.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terps' wideouts didn't perform well in 2015, but horrible quarterback play limited their opportunities.</p> <p>Welcome back to our Maryland football season in review. On Tuesday, we looked at the Terps' historically bad quarterback play. Now, let's move on to the position most effected by that horribleness: wide receiver.</p>
<h4>The Players</h4>
<p><strong>Levern Jacobs, junior, No. 8.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Tavion Jacobs, sophomore, No. 12.</strong></p>
<p><strong>D.J. Moore, freshman, No. 1.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Amba Etta-Tawo, junior, No. 84.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Jahvrvis Davenport, freshman, No. 85.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Malcolm Culmer, junior, No. 83.</strong></p>
<p><strong>DeAndre Lane, junior, No, 13.</strong></p>
<p><strong>William Likely, junior, No. 4.</strong></p>
<h4>What we thought was going to happen</h4>
<p>We said before the season that Maryland's receiving corps had a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2015/8/12/9128869/maryland-football-2015-roster-stats-receivers-diggs">very tough year ahead of it</a>. With Stefon Diggs, Deon Long, Jacquille Veii, Marcus Leak and Juwann Winfree all not returning, the Terps lost an astounding 73 percent of their targets from 2014. We said Maryland could make up some of the production, but we didn't anticipate such horrific production from the quarterback spot. I mean, who could have predicted that Maryland would have the second-worst quarterback rating out of the 128 FBS teams.</p>
<h4>The numbers</h4>
<h4></h4>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><b>Player</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Pos.</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Ht, Wt</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Year</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Targets</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Catches</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Yards</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>TD</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Yds/<br>Catch</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Yds/<br>Target</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Catch Rate</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Target<br>Rate</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Levern Jacobs</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5'11, 188</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">62</td>
<td align="right">35</td>
<td align="right">425</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">12.1</td>
<td align="right">6.9</td>
<td align="right">56.5%</td>
<td align="right">17.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Taivon Jacobs</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5'9, 165</td>
<td>SO</td>
<td align="right">49</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">264</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">12.6</td>
<td align="right">5.4</td>
<td align="right">42.9%</td>
<td align="right">14.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>D.J. Moore</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5'11, 205</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td align="right">48</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
<td align="right">357</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">14.3</td>
<td align="right">7.4</td>
<td align="right">52.1%</td>
<td align="right">13.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amba Etta-Tawo</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6'1, 200</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">39</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
<td align="right">216</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">10.8</td>
<td align="right">5.5</td>
<td align="right">51.3%</td>
<td align="right">11.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jahrvis Davenport</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5'9, 193</td>
<td>FR</td>
<td align="right">27</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">154</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">14.0</td>
<td align="right">5.7</td>
<td align="right">40.7%</td>
<td align="right">7.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malcolm Culmer</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5'11, 185</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right">221</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">14.7</td>
<td align="right">8.8</td>
<td align="right">60.0%</td>
<td align="right">7.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DeAndre Lane</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5'7, 175</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right">152</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">16.9</td>
<td align="right">13.8</td>
<td align="right">81.8%</td>
<td align="right">3.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William Likely</td>
<td>DB</td>
<td>5'7, 175</td>
<td>JR</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3.4</td>
<td align="right">2.4</td>
<td align="right">71.4%</td>
<td align="right">2.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<h5>Passing Downs</h5>
<h4></h4>
<table style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm A', 'Gotham Narrow SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; width: 703px; border: 6px solid #ccd1d5; text-align: center; line-height: 1.125em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-size: 13px; color: #292929;" class="sbn-data-table" border="1">
<tbody style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-even">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center" colspan="2"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Offense</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center" colspan="2"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Defense</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-odd">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"></b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Avg.</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Rk</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Avg.</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Rk</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Nat'l Avg.</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-even">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Passing Downs S&P+</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">100.9</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">63</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">110.3</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">33</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">100.0</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-odd">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Passing Downs Success Rate</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">24.5%</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">114</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">29.7%</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">55</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">30.7%</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-even">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Passing Downs IsoPPP</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">2.09</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">7</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">1.94</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">112</b></td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">1.77</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-odd">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background: #e4e9ed;">PD Line Yards per Carry</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">3.48</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">40</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">2.95</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">44</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background: #e4e9ed;" align="center">3.21</td>
</tr>
<tr style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" class="ui-state-even">
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; text-align: left; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">PD Sack Rate</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">9.5%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">97</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">11.8%</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">13</td>
<td style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; padding: 4px; font-size: 0.85em; border: 2px solid #ccd1d5; color: #555555; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;" align="center">7.5%<br><br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>The basics</h4>
<p>Maryland's wide receivers performed poorly in 2015, but they weren't given much of an opportunity. Malcolm Culmer was the only receiver with more than five receptions who finished with a catch rate of 60 or higher. That's on the quarterbacks. If one guy is consistently not catching balls that are thrown to him, that's one thing. But if all of the receivers aren't catching balls that are thrown to them, that's a pattern the quarterbacks are responsible for. We saw it all season, with Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe commonly missing receivers even when they were open.</p>
<p>Levern Jacobs entered the season as the team's longest-tenured receiver. He ended it as the team's leader in catches (35), targets (62), yards (425) and target rate (17.7), but his production did not come close to replacing that of Stefon Diggs and Deon Long. That's hardly his fault, as those two were excellent receivers who benefited from better quarterback play. Freshman D.J. Moore ended up surprising a lot of people by becoming the team's runner-up in receptions and yards, while also flashing some big-play ability on a couple of long touchdown catches.</p>
<h4>The future</h4>
<p>Maryland is fairly stacked at the receiver position going into 2016. This was accurate going into 2015 before Juwann Winfree and Marcus Leak left the program, but this time around it holds true even more. Assuming in-state recruits Tino Ellis and DJ Turner stay committed to the Terps, the team will have several options next season, so we shouldn't be seeing Will Likely starting at wide receiver. Add them to the stable that already includes Levern and Taivon Jacobs, Moore, Amba Etta-Tawo, Malcolm Culmer, Jahrvis Davenport and DeAndre Lane, and new head coach DJ Durkin should not want for depth at the position.</p>
<p><span>As we noted yesterday, the team's quarterbacks </span><i style="font-size: 12px;">probably</i><span> won't be this bad next season. However, if it is indeed Rowe or Hills under center next season, the team's offense will still have the same limitations it did in 2014. If four-star quarterback Dwayne Haskins ends up still coming to Maryland, all bets are off. Freshman quarterbacks are never a sure thing, but he'd certainly be a change from what we saw in 2015.</span></p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2015/12/9/9869370/terps-wide-receivers-wrs-stats-2015-jacobs-dj-moore
Ryan Connors