Originally posted on TerrapinTrail.com, The Diamondback’s sports blog. Read this story and more on Terp sports, including receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey’s decision to enter the NFL Draft and men’s and women’s basketball coverage, at TerrapinTrail.com.
Terp backup quarterback Josh Portis will not return to Maryland, the 21-year old confirmed when reached by phone this afternoon.
As first reported by ESPN’s Heather Dinich, Portis said he is leaning towards enrolling at Division II California (Pa.).
“It’s about 85 percent right now,” Portis said.
The Woodland Hills, Calif.-product said there is no timetable for finalizing his decision. Portis is currently in Florida with his mother, but he is unsure if he will enroll anywhere for the spring semester. He said California (Pa.) was one of about 15 schools to contact him after he was granted his release from Maryland.
“I just know I’m not going to be in Maryland in the spring,” Portis added.
Terp coach Ralph Friedgen declined comment through a university spokesperson until Portis’ decision is finalized. Portis’ decision comes a day after junior wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey announced he will enter the NFL Draft, meaning the Terps will lose two of their most athletic players heading into next season.
Portis transferred to Maryland after seeing snaps under center as a freshman at Florida in 2005. He sat out the 2006 season following NCAA transfer guidelines and was ineligible last season after he was caught cheating on a pop quiz.
This season the Terps hoped to use him as a change of pace option at quarterback in first-year offensive coordinator James Franklin’s offense. He got regular snaps in several non-league games, notably against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 20 when he scored his first career touchdown. But he attempted just three passes this season and did not play in five of the Terps’ last six contests.
“I did what I could do with the time I was in there,” Portis said this afernoon. “I wasn’t understanding how things went, but they did what they wanted to do with their football program.”
Portis’ major problem with the Terps was learning the playbook and commanding the offense, and he fell out of favor after many of his plays resulted in false starts and pre-snap penalties. Portis, who is the cousin of Redskin running back Clinton Portis, was second on the depth chart after Jordan Steffy was injured in the season-opener against Delaware, but Steffy returned to take the back-up spot late in the season. With starter Chris Turner set to return for his senior season, Portis started to consider other options that could allow him to play right away next season and maintain his eligibility.
“I learned a lot, and I wish them the best next year,” Portis said.
Portis said he will have two years of eligibility remaining if he ultimately signs with California (Pa.) or another Division II school.
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