A defensive lineman’s success is often dictated by his first four or five steps after the snap. It’s a position of immediate results: Fail to get off the initial block, and the running back will scamper by. Get enough of a push to pressure the quarterback, and defensive coaches shower praise.
Terrapin defensive tackle Joe Vellano, who coach Ralph Friedgen pegged as one of the team’s best performers so far this spring, strives to make his mark in those first few seconds of each play. During an interview this week, the sophomore repeatedly referenced the need to “play a lot faster than everybody” or to “pick up the little techniques” that are vital in defensive line play.
In a sense, Vellano’s focus on the urgent nature of his position is ironic. Vellano’s journey to this point — defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo labeled the upstate New York native “a starter right now” — has been anything but immediate.
Vellano suffered a shoulder injury that kept him from participating in football-related activities during his redshirt season in 2008. Just as he started to regain his form during preseason camp last year, Vellano broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot. He didn’t return until the final six games of the 2009 season.
“I’ve never really got to the point where I could be — not saying the go-to-guy, but just getting major reps,” Vellano said. “Now we have jobs [available]. There’s always been seniors in front of me. Now I’m just trying to take the opportunity and, if I can play real good, just keep it.”
With senior defensive tackle Travis Ivey’s departure, Vellano has taken advantage of his chance to move up the depth chart. Entering the spring, he was listed as the second-string nose tackle behind sophomore A.J. Francis, who started 10 of the Terps’ 12 games last fall.
It appears Vellano is at least challenging Francis for that position. After Tuesday’s practice, Friedgen directly compared Vellano’s performance in spring camp to Francis’ play. Friedgen said Vellano has made some sort of play — whether it was a tackle, a sack or a batted ball — on about one of every six snaps in spring practice. Friedgen said Francis’ rate was lower, about one out of every 11 plays.
Barring injury, Vellano and Francis will both play major roles on the Terps’ interior defensive line in the fall. The Terps often rotate linemen, and there isn’t much experience around the pair. Sophomore Zachariah Kerr and redshirt freshman De’Onte Arnett entered the spring at the top of the depth chart at defensive tackle, the official name for the position next to nose tackle.
“I’m surprised at how well [Vellano is] rushing the passer right now,” Friedgen said. “His effort is outstanding. I see him running by guys he’s not supposed to be running by. A lot of time on the field it’s how much you wanna get there, and when the ball’s snapped, he’s going 100 miles per hour. I’ve been very encouraged by him, just by how hard he plays every play.”
At 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, Vellano is smaller than a number of his fellow defensive tackles. He missed opportunities to weight train in the offseason because of injuries, something he said will be crucial for him this summer.
But it’s the desire to play — something Vellano couldn’t do during his first two years with the team — that keeps him going.
“I’ve been to all the practices, not working out, just being on the side. Just watching everybody kind of makes you like, wanna be out there,” Vellano said. “I was doing everything except playing football — doing all the team requirements and not getting a chance to play. It makes you kind of want it more.”
With the kind of play he’s shown this spring, Vellano could finally get his shot.
“He doesn’t say two words,” Sollazzo said. “He keeps his mouth shut and plays hard and takes coaching. All he does is just go out there and gets the job done.”
akraut@umdbk.com
