In the week leading up to the Terrapin football team’s first mock scrimmage of the spring on Saturday morning, coach Ralph Friedgen said he was hoping for a good effort from his largely revamped offensive line.

The Terps graduated five players who started at least one game on the line last season, and with Phil Costa switching from right guard to center, only left tackle Bruce Campbell remains atop the depth chart at a position he started at last season.

The line played with mixed results Saturday when the Terps’ three defensive teams largely outplayed the three offensive units. With the situation up front unsettled, it will be a key group to watch as the spring progresses.

With Friedgen watching closely, the first-team offensive line allowed its defensive counterparts to blow up a few plays near the line of scrimmage and sack quarterback Chris Turner more than once. But several plays ran smoothly, and dropped passes were more of a hindrance to the Terps’ passing game than was the pass protection.

Things could have gone better, but they also could have been a lot worse.

“We’ve got some guys that have got to step up,” Friedgen said. “Right now, Lamar Young is a very important guy, and so is Justin Lewis. We’ve got to find another tackle somewhere.”

Young, a sophomore, and Lewis, a redshirt freshman, currently sit atop the depth chart at left and right guard, respectively.

Both players bring size and strength to their positions – each player is listed at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds – but neither has earned a varsity letter.

Offensive line coach Tom Brattan said the position battles at both guard positions are still pretty competitive, and sophomores Andrew Gonnella and Maurice Hampton could push Young and Lewis for spots.

“They’re kind of all works in progress now at guard,” Brattan said. “I think we’ll be OK but we’ve got some work to do there.”

Barring injury, Campbell and Costa appear to have a firm grasp on their respective left tackle and center positions. But the right tackle spot may be a little less secure.

Career reserve Paul Pinegar is currently taking snaps with the first team in that spot, but Brattan said he has been impressed by sophomore Tyler Bowen. Redshirt freshman R.J. Dill is also in the mix.

Dill, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound redshirt freshman has been taking snaps with the first team at left tackle during weekday practices. Campbell is only practicing on weekends this spring to focus on his academics.

“I knew it was going to be a battle this spring, and it is,” Dill said. “Guys are fighting for spots.”

Brattan said he is rejuvenated by working with the young crew of linemen this spring, and he said the group as a whole is making progress.

The line underachieved in some games last year when it had much more experience, and the younger group will once again be vital to the team’s offensive success in the fall.

Three more weeks of spring practice remain for the Terps to continue to improve.

“I think we are a work in progress,” Brattan said. “I think there’s certain days when we show flashes of making progress and there’s certain days where it’s, ‘OK we have to go back and go over this again.’ But I like our enthusiasm and I like our work ethic so far.”

TERP NOTES: Friedgen said fullback Haroon Brown sprained his ankle and wide receiver Emani Lee-Odai hurt his wrist during the scrimmage. … Saturday was Friedgen’s 62nd birthday.

schimmeldbk@gmail.com