Maryland quarterback Joel Statham seemingly has emerged as the Terrapins starter, but the closely contested position may not be decided during spring practice.
Statham’s consistency has moved him ahead of Sam Hollenbach, Ryan Mitch and Dan Gronkowski as the Terps prepare for the Red-White game that ends practice April24. Hollenbach appears No.2 after excelling during an April11 scrimmage while playbook troubles have bedeviled Mitch. But coach Ralph Friedgen said a final decision might await the Sept.4 opener against Northern Illinois.
“Every day at practice, [Statham’s] the best, but Hollenbach played very well [in the scrimmage],” Friedgen said. “I don’t know if that was a one-time thing, but he did some good things. So did Gronkowski. It’s always going to be competitive. That’s how life is here.”
The Terps must replace 13 starters after going 10-3 and winning the Gator Bowl last season, but quarterback is the biggest concern. Statham threw only 25 passes last year after becoming No.2 by midseason. Still, the redshirt freshman now appears much more composed, especially against the blitz, and is throwing deep regularly.
“I think Joel is probably ahead of where I thought he would be right now,” Friedgen said. “I’m very pleased with his decision making. He’s seeing things maybe better than some of our other quarterbacks in the past.”
Not that Statham feels comfortable. While the Terps will reduce their 1,200-page offensive playbook with a younger passer, it can still prove overwhelming.
“There are some things I’m not too sure about right now,” Statham said. “If I’m going on the pace I am now, I’ll be OK.”
Mitch also is struggling with his reads, especially when seeking alternate receivers.
“Everything is running so fast in my head right now it’s hard to know what I’m doing on every play,” Mitch said. “I’m still fighting it a lot. In the beginning, it was a lot easier, but now everyone’s blitzing and you have to hit the [hot reads]. I’m thinking way too much.”
Said Friedgen: “Mitch is just lost. This is a typical transition for a freshman. They have no clue about how to read coverage. They just pick a guy out and throw it to him.”
Hollenbach can beat close coverage on one play, then knock down a ball-carrier on an exchange. Still, Hollenbach’s upside has Friedgen still considering him.
“I’m way too inconsistent right now,” Hollenbach said.
Notes — The Terps scrimmage tomorrow at 3p.m. following a 5:45a.m. workout today. Despite rain that postponed two workouts and hampered several others, Friedgen was impressed by the team’s intensity throughout spring drills. He decreased hitting after several workouts became too intense. “We’re further ahead than I thought we would be at this point,” he said. …
The pass rushing drill between tight end Vernon Davis and linebacker Shawne Merriman has been one of the daily highlights. Merriman hooted after beating Davis on the first snap recently, but Davis countered on the rematch. “We came out relaxed and I didn’t expect him to come like he did [on the first one],” Davis said. “Next time I got him.”
Said Friedgen: “For the spring, they’re probably 50-50.” …
Right guard Andrew Crummey is starting over Ryan Flynn, who moved to reserve left tackle. Matt Powell is the reserve left guard. … Linebacker Wesley Jefferson and tight end Rob Abiamiri should gain more time this season after strong springs.
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