Terps coach Randy Edsall was impressed with Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil’s four-sack performance in Saturday’s open scrimmage at Byrd Stadium.
For the first time since late November, football is back in College Park. The Terrapins football team will take part in its annual Red-White Spring game tonight at Byrd Stadium, giving us a first look at the 2013 squad.
Here are some things to watch for in tonight’s game:
QUARTERBACK SHUFFLE
Tonight, the Terps will deploy two quarterbacks who might not play a single snap next season. New Mexico transfer Ricardo Young and Lewis and Clark College transfer Dustin Dailey will split snaps under center in the spring game, but neither seems to have a shot to start when the season begins in September.
Quarterback C.J. Brown — who coach Randy Edsall expects to be the team’s starter next season — has only participated in 7-on-7 drills this spring, as he’s still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in August. Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe are even farther behind in the rehab process, as their torn ACLs came in October.
So the offense you see on the field tonight won’t be the offense you see when the real games begin a few months from now.
PLAYMAKERS EVERYWHERE
Despite a less-than-clear picture at quarterback, the play at the skill positions should accurately reflect just how much talent the Terps have across the board this season.
Both Brandon Ross and Albert Reid have performed exceptionally well this spring, and backup Joe Riddle has been a nice surprise in the backfield.
At wide receiver, star sophomore Stefon Diggs will be joined on the field by new addition Deon Long, who is poised to excel in the Terps’ offense after transferring in from junior college this offseason.
HOLES ON D
The Terps might have a plethora of talent on offense, but they still have holes to fill on defense.
The team graduated a group of stalwart defenders after last season, including defensive lineman Joe Vellano and A.J. Francis, linebackers Kenneth Tate, Demetrius Hartsfield and Darin Drakeford, and safety Eric Franklin, leaving plenty of opportunity for younger players to make their way into the starting lineup.
Defensive linemen Quinton Jefferson and Justin Anderson, linebackers Yannick Cudjoe-Virgil and Bradley Johnson, and safeties Anthony Nixon and Sean Davis are all names to watch tonight.
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