Like any other squad, the Terrapin football team has long coveted consistency and depth on its offensive line. A recurring trend of injured and underachieving linemen under former coach Ralph Friedgen did little to change that.

So when starting left tackle Justin Gilbert went down with a torn ACL early in the team’s spring-practice slate, the Terps seemed to be chasing the same old fantasies in their first season under coach Randy Edsall.

But while Gilbert will be sidelined until at least October, Edsall is plenty pleased with the depth and improvement of his offensive line as the team enters its final week of spring practice today.

“I don’t know if we’ve had a standout per se, and that’s not a negative,” Edsall said in his weekly teleconference yesterday. “I think they’re still all developing, but I do like the cohesiveness that I see there. I think our strength in the offensive lines is going to be the fact that our guys work together as one.

“When you take a look at the offensive line, those guys got to probably be the most cohesive group of any position group out there. I think that those guys take a lot of pride in what they do.”

With tackle R.J. Dill (sprained knee) also limited this week, backup tackles Nick Klemm and Max Garcia — Gilbert’s replacement on the left side — made up the Terps’ makeshift tackle duo in the team’s scrimmage Saturday.

The advances Klemm and Garcia have made have so far been matched in spring practice by others — including Bennett Fulper, Andrew Gonella and Josh Cary, according to Edsall — giving the Terps a chance at a truly deep, 10-man rotation along the offensive line.

“If we’ve got an eight-man rotation, then we’ll have eight guys,” Edsall said, “but we’re hoping to get a true two-deep on the offensive line.”

O’BRIEN HEATING UP

Early in spring practice, reigning ACC Rookie of the Year Danny O’Brien struggled with his adjustment to the new offensive system installed by Edsall and first-year offensive coordinator Gary Crowton. At one point, Edsall even said backup quarterback C.J. Brown was making a run at the starting job.

But just days before he’s expected to lead the first-team offense in Saturday’s Red-White spring game, O’Brien has seemingly settled in nicely to his assumed job under center, largely due to his lauded commitment to film study and preparation.

“I just see him getting more comfortable with what we’re doing,” Edsall said. “When you’re putting something new in, it’s not going to come overnight.

“Those very good players are those guys that get better with each practice, with each week, and you can see that progression taking shape with him.”

Edsall noted that O’Brien played well in Saturday’s scrimmage and that he’s starting to build chemistry with the Terps’ receiving corps.

“Him and the receivers are more on the same page now and getting used to each other,” Edsall said.

He added that Kevin Dorsey, Ronnie Tyler and Kerry Boykins have emerged as the team’s top three options at the position.

KING BACK IN PLAY

Although freshman wide receiver Nigel King has yet to resolve his eligibility issues with the NCAA clearinghouse, he’ll finally get the chance to join the Terps on the practice field today.

The NCAA is still reviewing his eligibility, but because he has filed an appeal, he’ll be able to start practicing this afternoon, Edsall said.

“We got some word from him, but nothing yet that has him to where he’s cleared totally,” Edsall said.

King arrived at this university for the spring semester after graduating early from Oak Ridge Military Academy in North Carolina, but he has so far been unable to take advantage of his early arrival by practicing with the team.

And while Edsall said King will get onto the practice field today, he’s not expecting him to see much playing time in Saturday’s Red-White game.

WATSON MOVING ON

The fullback position, which Edsall said yesterday remains undecided, has taken another hit, as junior fullback Taylor Watson will graduate in the summer and not return to the team this fall.

“Taylor Watson told me he’s going to graduate this summer, so he won’t be with us,” Edsall said. “We’re going to make sure that happens, and he’ll get his degree.”

Watson started three games for the Terps last season, rushing for 44 yards on seven carries while opening holes for running backs Da’Rel Scott and Davin Meggett.

Fullbacks Haroon Brown and Rahsaan Moore will vie for the starting job, but Edsall said there’s little clarity on who’s ahead.

“Right now, I’m not sure who our starter there is,” Edsall said. “I’m looking for one of these fullbacks to step up and say, not by talking but by performing, ‘This is my job. I’m that guy.'”

cwalsh@umdbk.com