ESPN College Football

Maryland's Joe Vellano and Darin Drakeford will miss the rest of spring practice because of a foot injury and academic issues, respectively, coach Randy Edsall said this week.

Vellano, a first-team All-ACC defensive end and the Terrapins' third-leading tackler (94) last season, notched a team-best 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and forced and recovered a pair of fumbles. Edsall said the senior is in a walking boot and on crutches, and he is expected to recover in four to six weeks.

Drakeford was fourth on Maryland in tackles last season as a junior, with 68, and the linebacker added three tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Edsall said he is not too concerned about the losses with the season still five months away.

"I don’t worry about that so much," Edsall said. "You're not looking to have your final product by April 21, so I'm thankful that it gives some other guys reps and that those guys aren't seriously injured."

All 10 teams that are playing this weekend have released their injury reports for Week 7:

CLEMSON

OUT
DE Joe Gore (knee)
PK Spencer Benton (shoulder)

WILL PLAY
QB Tajh Boyd (hip)
LB Stephone Anthony (ankle)

DUKE

PROBABLE
DE Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo (leg)
DE Justin Foxx (leg)
C Dave Harding (leg)
RB Desmond Scott (leg)
RB Josh Snead (foot)
K Will Snyderwine (foot)

QUESTIONABLE
S Matt Daniels (leg)
CB Johnny Williams (leg)

DOUBTFUL
S August Campbell (leg)

OUT
S Lee Butler (leg)
QB Brandon Connette (upper body)
C Brian Moore (arm)

OUT FOR SEASON
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
DE Kenny Anunike (leg)

FLORIDA STATE

OUT
Willie Haulstead (head)
Henry Orelus (head)
Josh Gehres (knee)
Darious Cummings (hand)
Andrew Datko (shoulder)
David Spurlock (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

Rashad Greene (ankle)

GEORGIA TECH

DOUBTFUL
LB Jeremiah Attaochu

OUT
K-P Chandler Anderson
OL Morgan Bailey
WR Tyler Morgan

OUT FOR SEASON
S Fred Holton
DL Jimmie Kitchen
S Lance Richardson

MARYLAND

OUT FOR SEASON
OL Andrew Gonnella
DB Matt Robinson
DL Isaiah Ross
TE Dave Stinebaugh

OUT FOR GAME
DL Justin Anderson
OL Justin Gilbert
LB Demetrius Hartsfield
LB Garrett Lederman
DL Andre Monroe
LB Shaquan Virgil

DOUBTFUL
LB Kenny Tate

QUESTIONABLE
LB Darin Drakeford

PROBABLE
WR Marcus Leak

MIAMI

PROBABLE
Jalen Grimble (lower extremity)
Kacy Rodgers (lower extremity)
Adewale Ojomo (upper extremity)
Thurston Armbrister (upper extremity)
Davon Johnson (lower extremity)

OUT
Luther Robinson (lower extremity)
Shayon Green (lower extremity)
Curtis Porter (upper extremity)

SURGERY/OUT FOR SEASON
Marcus Forston (lower extremity)
Ramon Buchanan (lower extremity)
Cory White (lower extremity)
Erik Lichter (upper extremity)
Blake Ayles (upper extremity)

NORTH CAROLINA

OUT

OT Kiaro Holts (wrist)
FB Devon Ramsay (knee)

DOUBTFUL

PK Casey Barth (thigh)
C Cam Holland (back)

QUESTIONABLE

TB AJ Blue (ankle)
OT TJ Leifheit (ankle)
LB Kevin Reddick (ankle)
SS Jonathan Smith (ankle)

PROBABLE

WR Josh Adams (illness)

VIRGINIA

OUT
Pablo Alvarez (upper extremity)
Vince Croce (medical)
Tim Cwalina (lower extremity)
Darius Lee (upper extremity)
Charlie Richards (upper extremity)
E.J. Scott (medical)
Bobby Smith (lower extremity)
Tyler Smith (lower extremity)

QUESTIONABLE
Henry Coley (lower extremity)

VIRGINIA TECH

OUT FOR SEASON
Kwamaine Battle (knee)
Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (foot)
Antoine Hopkins (knee)
Dyrell Roberts (arm)

OUT FOR GAME
James Gayle (ankle)
Eric Martin (shoulder)
David Wang (foot)

FULL
Jaymes Brooks (ankle)

WAKE FOREST

DOUBTFUL
RB Josh Harris (leg)

OUT
TE Neil Basford (knee)
DT John Gallagher (back)

OUT FOR THE YEAR
OT Dylan Heartsil (back)
CB Dominique Tate (knee)
LB Kyle Jarrett (hip)

Here are your weekly injury reports, from the ACC schools that reported them:

BOSTON COLLEGE

OUT
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
DB CJ Jones (knee)
DL Connor Wujciak (shoulder)
TB Montel Harris (knee)
DL Kaleb Ramsey (foot)

DOUBTFUL
RB Andre Williams (leg)

QUESTIONABLE
OG Nate Richman (back)
OG Ian White (foot)

CLEMSON

OUT
DE Joe Gore (knee)
PK Spencer Benton (shoulder)

PROBABLE
RB Andre Ellington (hamstring)
RB D.J. Howard (hamstring)
RB Mansa Joseph (hamstring)

FLORIDA STATE

OUT
Willie Haulstead (head)
Henry Orelus (head)
Josh Gehres (knee)
Darious Cummings (hand)
Jarred Haggins (hand)

QUESTIONABLE
Nick Moody (leg)
Garrett Faircloth (head)
Andrew Datko (shoulder)

GEORGIA TECH

OUT FOR SEASON
S Fred Holton
DL Jimmie Kitchen

OUT
LB Brandon Watts

QUESTIONABLE
LB Jeremiah Attaochu
LB Daniel Drummond

MARYLAND

OUT FOR SEASON
DB Matt Robinson
TE Dave Stinebaugh

OUT FOR GAME
DL Justin Anderson
LB Darin Drakeford
OL Justin Gilbert
LB Garrett Lederman
DL Andre Monroe
DL Isaiah Ross
LB Shaquan Virgil

DOUBTFUL LB Kenny Tate

PROBABLE PK Nick Ferrara
TE Matt Furstenburg

MIAMI

OUT
Luther Robinson (lower extremity)
Jalen Grimble (lower extremity)
Thurston Armbrister (upper extremity)

SURGERY/OUT FOR SEASON
Marcus Forston (lower extremity)
Ramon Buchanan (lower extremity)
Corey White (lower extremity)
Curtis Porter (upper extremity)
Eric Lichter (upper extremity)
Blake Ayles (upper extremity)

NORTH CAROLINA

OUT

PK Casey Barth (thigh)
OT Kiaro Holts (wrist)
FB Devon Ramsay (knee)

DOUBTFUL

WR Josh Adams (illness)
RB Matt Kolojejchick (thigh)
LB Norkeithus Otis (foot)

QUESTIONABLE

RB AJ Blue (ankle)
C Cam Holland (back)
OT TJ Leifheit (ankle)
LB Ebele Okakpu (ankle)
LB Kevin Reddick (ankle)
CB Terry Shankle (knee)
SS Jonathan Smith (ankle)

VIRGINIA TECH

OUT FOR SEASON
Kwamaine Battle (knee)
Antoine Hopkins (knee)
Dyrell Roberts (arm)

OUT
Eric Martin (shoulder)
David Wang (foot)

Thanks to the sports information directors throughout the league for this week’s nifty notes:

ACC: The top two tacklers in the nation and three of the top four are currently from the ACC. Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly leads the nation in tackles with 17.5 per game, but Maryland linebacker Darin Drakeford is right behind him, after making 14 hits in the Terps’ 32-24 win over Miami on Labor Day. Terps’ linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield is in a four-way tie for fourth, having made 13 tackles against the Hurricanes. – ACC game notes

BOSTON COLLEGE: Boston College’s defense has so far faced opponents who have run the ball 67 percent of the time. Northwestern and Central Florida combined to record 99 rushing attempts times out of 148 total plays called. They combined for 462 yards on the ground, six touchdowns and averaged 4.7 yards per carry and 231 yards per game. The Eagles led the nation in rushing defense last season. – BC game notes

CLEMSON: When Clemson hosts Auburn on Saturday, it will be just the third time the defending national champion has come to Clemson and the ACC Tigers have won each of the previous two occasions. Clemson defeated Georgia in 1981 (13-3) after the Bulldogs won the 1980 title and downed Georgia Tech (9-7) in 1991 after Bobby Ross’s team won the 1990 UPI National Championship. Each of those two previous meetings with the defending champ at Clemson took place in the third game of the season. When the Tigers downed Georgia Tech in 1991, Georgia Tech was 19th in the nation entering the game, the same ranking for Auburn this weekend.- Tim Bourret

DUKE: Led by redshirt senior nose guard Charlie Hatcher, Duke is using an 11-man rotation along its defensive line. Hatcher is the lone lineman playing his final season of eligibility as the group includes six redshirt freshmen, two redshirt sophomores and two redshirt juniors. – Art Chase

FLORIDA STATE: FSU is 3-3 at home when ESPN’s College GameDay crew is on campus, including the only previous time the Seminoles have hosted a top-ranked team at home. That was in 1996, when No. 2 Florida State knocked off No. 1 Florida, 24-21, securing a Sugar Bowl berth and a shot at the national championship. That victory remains the Seminoles’ lone win against an AP top-ranked opponent. FSU is 1-5 all-time against teams ranked No. 1. – Bob Thomas

GEORGIA TECH: Quarterback Tevin Washington’s pass efficiency rating is currently 329.7. He has completed 13 of 21 passes for 473 yards and five touchdowns. Washington leads the ACC this week in pass efficiency rating, but falls nine pass attempts short of the NCAA minimum to qualify. – ACC game notes

MARYLAND: After going 41 games without scoring via a fumble return or interception return (Erin Henderson in 2006 vs. Virginia), Maryland has scored eight defensive touchdowns in the past 17games, including a pair against Miami in the Terps’ 31-24 Labor Day win. Joe Vellano returned a fumble 30 yards for a score and Cameron Chism had a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown. – Shawn Nestor

MIAMI: Miami’s 172 rushing yards at Maryland was the Hurricanes’ most in a road opener since also rushing for 172 in a win on Sept. 23, 2004 at Houston.- Miami game notes

NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina leads the ACC and ranks third in the country in rushing defense, allowing just 30 yards per game. Virginia Tech is second at 51 yards per game. Last week, Carolina’s defense held Rutgers to just 1 yard rushing. The Scarlet Knights had five different players rush a combined 21 times for 18 net yards, but quarterback Chas Dodd was sacked four times for 17 yards. The 1 yard rushing is the fewest by an opponent since Wake Forest rushed for minus two yards in 2000. – Kevin Best

NC STATE: The Wolfpack’s shorthanded D gave up 337 passing yards and 438 yards of total offense to Wake Forest. In the opener, Liberty gained 406 yards of total offense. The good news? NC State is tied for second in the nation this week with five interceptions. - NCSU game notes

VIRGINIA: On Sept. 7, Virginia offensive lineman Oday Aboushi was one of 12 Muslim-American athletes invited to Washington, D.C. by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Department of State to commemorate Eid ul-Fitr, the three-day celebration at the end of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of fasting. Other athletes at the reception included Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, former NFL offensive lineman Ephraim Salaam and professional boxer Amir Khan. A 6-6, 310-pound junior from Staten Island, N.Y., Aboushi’s parents are Palestinians who immigrated to the United States. “I was very humbled to be there,” said Aboushi, who had the chance to meet and talk with Clinton at the event. “Hearing everybody else’s stories of being Muslim athletes around the nation was really inspiring and will help me to get better.” – Jim Daves

VIRGINIA TECH: Opponents have been charged with a just one penalty during the first two games. – Hokies’ game notes

WAKE FOREST: Wake Forest’s offensive line starters, weighing in at a collective 1,570 pounds, is the biggest line in school history. Guards Joe Looney (320) and Mike Hoag (305), tackles Dennis Godfrey (315) and Doug Weaver (320) and center Garrick Williams (310) are all over 300 pounds. The five starters average 314 pounds per man. The next largest line in school history was the 1998 line consisting of guards Brian Wolverton (310) and Sam Settar (328), tackles Jeff Flowe and Michael Collins, and center Marlon Curtis (287), who combined for 1,568 pounds of 313.6 per man. – Steve Shutt

You are going to argue about this. How do I know? Because I'm still arguing with myself over it ...

1. Boston College: Luke Kuechly is one of the best in the country, but he’s not alone. The Eagles also have Kevin Pierre-Louis, who ranked second nationally among all freshmen in tackles per game last season with 7.15 -- ninth in the ACC. It won’t be easy to replace Mark Herzlich, on or off the field, but Steele Divitto played in 11 games last season, and Nick Clancy and Will Thompson both saw time on the second team.

2. Florida State: The Noles had to replace two starters, including Kendall Smith, the team’s second-leading tackler, last season, and Mister Alexander, but the upcoming talent could be even better. Nigel Bradham led the team with 98 tackles and five pass breakups last season, and Christian Jones, Jeff Luc, Telvin Smith and Vince Williams will also be competing for playing time.

3. Miami: Sean Spence, who has 30 career starts, should be one of the best in the country, and Ramon Buchanon, another senior, also returns. The Canes have five other linebackers with experience in Kelvin Cain, who started seven games, Jordan Futch, who had a great spring and will see the field, Tyrone Cornelius, Shayon Green and C.J. Holton.

4. North Carolina: Kevin Reddick, who led the Tar Heels with 74 tackles last season, returns for his third season as starter. Zach Brown is also a returning starter with game-changing capabilities, and there is plenty of depth with Dion Guy, Darius Lipford, Ebele Okakpu and Herman Davidson. Junior college transfer Fabby Desir could also have an impact.

5. NC State: Audie Cole and Terrell Manning have combined for 39 career starts, and Cole fared well this spring moving to the middle to replace Nate Irving. With the return of Sterling Lucas, Dwayne Maddox and Colby Jackson, there is plenty of experience, but not quite as much depth as some other programs.

6. Georgia Tech: The Jackets return both starters in Steven Sylvester and Julian Burnett. There is no shortage of depth with Jeremy Attaochu, Quayshawn Nealey, Brandon Watts, Albert Rocker, Malcolm Munroe and Daniel Drummond.

7. Clemson: This group has a lot of potential, especially if true freshmen Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony make an immediate impact. There’s no question they’ll be given a chance, but the Tigers already have a good group with Corico Hawkins, Quandon Christian and Jonathan Willard.

8. Virginia Tech: It seems like this rotation has been in flux for a while now. The Hokies’ leading tackler returns in Bruce Taylor, Barquell Rivers had 96 tackles as a starter in 2009 but was injured last season, and there are several young players adding to the competition. Chase Williams, Tariq Edwards, Telvion Clark and Jack Tyler are only a few. Whip linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow will have to earn his spot back over Alonzo Tweedy, Dominique Patterson and Nick Dew.

9. Maryland: The Terps were hit hard here with the losses of Alex Wujciak (381 career tackles) and Adrian Moten (14.5 career sacks). Demetrius Hartsfield returns with 20 career starts, and there are four lettermen returning including Darin Drakeford, Isaiah Ross, David Mackall and Bradley Johnson.

10. Wake Forest: Kyle Wilber’s move to outside linebacker will give this position a boost, as he led the Deacs with 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks last season. His backup is Gelo Orange (22 tackles). The Deacs also have Tristan Dorty, Joey Ehrmann, Mike Olsen, Scott Betros, Riley Haynes and Justin Jackson.

11. Virginia: Starters LaRoy Reynolds and Ausar Walcott both return, but neither has started more than 11 career games. Junior Steve Greer has prior starting experience but played mainly as a reserve last season. Adam Taliaferro, Conner McCartin, Tucker Windle and LoVante Battle are also in the mix for playing time.

12. Duke: Kelby Brown is the lone returning starter, but he’s a promising young player who led the nation last season as a freshman in fumbles recovered. He missed spring ball while recovering from a knee injury, but is expected to start with Tyree Glover or Kevin Rojas.

Heather Dinich talks with the linebacker about what changes to expect defensively from the Terps next season.

It's that time of year, ACC fans. Duke kicks off the ACC's spring football schedule with practice tomorrow, so it's time to take a look at three storylines to watch for each program. We'll start with the Atlantic Division:

BOSTON COLLEGE

Spring practice starts: March 15

Spring game: April 16

What to watch:

• The progression of quarterback Chase Rettig. As a true freshman, Rettig replaced Dave Shinskie as starter against Notre Dame on Oct. 2. He’ll only get better with more experience, and there’s room for improvement, as he threw nine interceptions and six touchdowns. He completed 51.3 percent of his passes for 137.6 yards per game. Two of those picks came in the 20-13 loss to Nevada in the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl, but he’s expected to take an important step forward this offseason and will need to if BC is going to graduate from the nation’s 109th best offense.
• The offense under a new coordinator. Kevin Rogers replaced Gary Tranquill, who retired after the bowl game, and the Eagles will have to adjust to a new scheme and system, starting this spring. Rogers said he'll adapt his system to the personnel he has to work with, but considering he was hired on Monday, there hasn't been much time for him to evaluate film.
• The revamped offensive line. BC has to replace three starters up front, including left tackle Anthony Castonzo, right guard Thomas Claiborne and right tackle Rich Lapham. Emmett Cleary and center Mark Spinney are returning starters, and left guard Ian White started a few games at the end of the year. Bryan Davis, Claiborne’s backup at right guard, and John Wetzel, Castonzo’s backup, are frontrunners to earn starts.

CLEMSON

Spring practice starts: March 7

Spring game: April 9

What to watch:

• Quarterback Tajh Boyd. Prior to the arrival of two early enrollees, Boyd was the only scholarship quarterback on the roster, and his experience alone -- albeit limited -- makes it his job to lose. The staff wants him to become a little more accurate and consistent this spring. His education was accelerated at this time a year ago when former quarterback Kyle Parker spent the spring playing baseball, but that was under former offensive coordinator Billy Napier. He’s got a new coordinator -- and a new offense to learn.
• The new offensive scheme. First-year offensive coordinator Chad Morris brings an up-tempo style similar to that of Auburn’s, and the Tigers will have to learn it as quickly as he’ll want them to execute it. Morris has said Boyd is suited just right to lead it. Morris will want to stretch the field in every direction, depend on a strong running game and include long pass plays. He’s tasked with improving an offense that ranked No. 10 in the ACC in both scoring offense and total offense.
• Defense up the middle. It starts up front, where the Tigers have to replace defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins. Linebacker Brandon Maye, who played in the middle a lot, decided to transfer, and safety DeAndre McDaniel, who controlled the middle of the field in the secondary, has also graduated. The Tigers have the No. 1 inside linebacker and No. 1 outside linebacker in the country in this year’s recruiting class, but they won’t arrive until the summer. For now, Corico Hawkins returns as a starting middle linebacker, while Quandon Christian is likely to stay on the outside. Rennie Moore will replace Jenkins, but McDaniel’s spot is up for grabs.

FLORIDA STATE

Spring practice starts: March 21

Spring game: April 16

What to watch:

• Big holes on the offensive line. There’s depth, experience and incoming talent, but there are also big shoes to fill with the graduation of left guard Rodney Hudson and center Ryan McMahon. Right guard David Spurlock has been seen snapping on the sidelines at practices, indicating he could move to center, while recovering from concussions and going through rehab. McMahon’s backup was Jacob Stanley. Henry Orelus, Bryan Stork and Rhonne Sanderson all started at right guard for Spurlock when he was out. Junior college transfer Jacob Fahrenkrug, the No. 4 overall junior college prospect, could have an immediate impact at left guard.
• Backup quarterback battle. With EJ Manuel a lock as the starter, the attention turns to the No. 2 spot. Clint Trickett, a redshirt freshman and son of offensive line coach Rick Trickett, and Will Secord, a redshirt sophomore, are the top two candidates. Secord was named the most improved quarterback of the spring at this time a year ago. Neither of them have thrown a collegiate pass.
• Linebackers. The Seminoles will have to replace two starters in Kendall Smith and Mister Alexander. Nigel Bradham is the only returning starter. This spring will feature competition among Christian Jones, Telvin Smith, Vince Williams and Jeff Luc. It’s a more talented crop waiting in the wings, but inexperience is a factor. It’s a chance for Luc and Jones -- two of FSU’s top recruits in the 2010 class -- to remind everyone why they were rated the No. 1 inside linebacker and No. 2 outside linebacker, respectively, in the country.

MARYLAND

Spring practice starts: March 29

Spring game: April 30

What to watch:

• New staff, new schemes. First-year coach Randy Edsall wants to be multiple, get vertical and take advantage of quarterback Danny O’Brien’s strengths. The departure of former defensive coordinator Don Brown to Connecticut was a surprise and a blow to the defense, which will now have to make a transition under a new coordinator who has yet to be hired.
• Competition at linebacker. Two starters have to be replaced in Alex Wujciak and Adrian Moten, who were also both leaders of the defense. Demetrius Hartsfield returns as a starter, but the new staff will have to figure out who else fits into what slots. Ben Pooler has had knee trouble, but he is expected to compete with Darin Drakeford and Ryan Donohue, who were both No. 2 at their respective positions in 2010.
• Special teams. Not only did the Terps lose a four-year starter in punter/placekicker Travis Baltz, they also have to replace their top kick returner and conference leader in all-purpose yards in receiver Torrey Smith, who left early for the NFL. Nick Ferrara handled kickoffs last year and was No. 2 behind Baltz at both kicker and punter, but he’s a placekicker first, and has to get back on track with consistency. He’ll be the only scholarship kicker on the roster until incoming freshman Nathaniel Renfro joins the team this summer. Dexter McDougle has returned kickoffs in the past, and Trenton Hughes is another option, but with a new staff, it could be a clean slate.

NC STATE

Spring practice starts: March 17

Spring game: April 16

What to watch:

• Mike Glennon. The team is moving forward as if starter Russell Wilson won’t return, promoting Glennon to No. 1 on the depth chart. The offense will have a new look, as the plays will be suited to Glennon’s strengths. At 6-foot-7, he’s much taller than Wilson, a more prototypical drop-back passer with a strong arm. While the plays might look different to the fans, they’re the same ones Glennon has been practicing since the day he arrived on campus. He’s a smart, unflappable player scheduled to graduate this May, but we haven’t seen enough of him to know just how good he is.
• A new crop of receivers. NC State will have to replace three seniors in Owen Spencer, Jarvis Williams and Darrell Davis. Spencer and Williams led the Pack in receiving last year, combining for nine touchdowns and over 1,600 yards. NC State will turn to Jay Smith, who had 10 catches in 12 games, Steven Howard, Quintin Payton, and T.J. Graham, who had four touchdowns and played in all 13 games. Payton played a little more toward the end of the year, and he’s a tall, big target (about 6-foot-4) and comparable to Williams. Bryan Underwood, who redshirted last year, could also contribute.
• Running back competition. James Washington had taken over the starting job at the end of 2010, but he’ll be pushed this spring by Dean Haynes and Mustafa Greene, who led the team in rushing in 2010 as a true freshman. They’ll also be under the direction of a new assistant coach, as Jason Swepson is now the head coach at Elon. It will be the first time Greene has been in a spring practice, and Washington, who was hurt last year, is finally healthy.

WAKE FOREST

Spring practice starts: March 15

Spring game: April 16

What to watch:

• Progress of quarterback Tanner Price. The maturation of Price, who started nine games as a true freshman last year, will be crucial to the Deacs’ hopes of returning to the postseason. Price was forced to play earlier than expected and finished with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. He completed 56.8 percent of his passes for 1,349 yards.
• A defense in transition. Coach Jim Grobe has said the staff is committed to making the transition to a 3-4 defense. The Deacons used that scheme to defend the triple option against Georgia Tech and Navy, and continued to experiment with it as the season progressed. This linebackers in this year’s recruiting class were brought in specifically with the 3-4 defense in mind.
• Redshirt offensive linemen. There were three true freshmen who redshirted last year who are expected to give four returning starters some legitimate competition -- Colin Summers, Dylan Heartsill and Daniel Blitch. The Deacs will also have to replace starting center Russell Nenon. Chance Raines was his backup last year.

We'll check out the Terps before the series resumes on Monday with Miami.

Strongest position: Linebackers

Key returnees: Alex Wujciak, Adrian Moten, Demetrius Hartsfield

Key departures: None.

The skinny: All three starters and their backups return. The only missing player from the group will be Drew Gloster, who is moving to defensive end to help with speed on the outside. Last year’s backup linebackers showed potential -- especially Ben Pooler, Avery Murray, and Darin Drakeford. Moten and Wujciak were the most productive players on defense last year.

Weakest position: Offensive line

Key returnees: RT R.J. Dill, LG Paul Pinegar and Bennett Fulper.

Key departures: C Phil Costa and LT Bruce Campbell

The skinny: The position took a significant hit from the decision of Campbell to leave early for the NFL draft. It’s a young group, but it’s in better shape than it was a year ago as far as guys at least having minimal experience. The Terps have six players who started at least one game. Fulper was a true freshman the staff liked last year, and Pinegar will take over for Costa at center. Justin Gilbert will be promoted to starting left tackle in place of Campbell.

REWIND

• Boston College
• Clemson
• Duke
• Florida State
• Georgia Tech

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Maryland Terrapins 2008 overall record: 8-5 2008 conference record: 4-4 Returning starters: Offense: 6, defense: 4, punter/kicker: 1 Top returners: QB Chris Turner, RB, Da'Rel Scott, OL Phil Costa, WR Torrey Smith, LB Alex Wujciak, CB Anthony Wiseman, FS Terrell Skinner, P Travis Baltz Key losses: C Edwin Williams, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, CB Kevin Barnes, DT Jeremy Navarre, LG Jaimie Thomas, TE Dan Gronkowski, LB Dave Philistin, DE Mack Frost, LB Moise Fokou, PK Obi Egekeze 2007 statistical leaders (*returners) Rushing: Da'Rel Scott* (1,133 yards) Passing: Chris Turner* (2,516 yards) Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey (609 yards) Tackles: Alex Wujciak* (133) Sacks: Moise Fokou (5) Interceptions: Jamari McCollough* (4) 2009 Schedule Sept. 5 at California Sept. 12 James Madison Sept. 19 Middle Tennessee Sept. 26 Rutgers Oct. 3 Clemson Oct. 10 at Wake Forest Oct. 17 Virginia Oct. 24 at Duke Nov. 7 at NC State Nov. 14 Virginia Tech Nov. 21 at Florida State Nov. 28 Boston College Spring answers 1. Leader on the line. Phil Costa has been tasked with taking over at center for Edwin Williams, and although he has never played in a game at center, it was the position of least concern on the offensive line this spring. Costa proved capable of being the leader of an otherwise inexperienced group (see below). 2. New additions at linebacker. One of the concerns coming into the spring was the depth at linebacker, and the staff was pleased with the addition freshmen Darin Drakeford and Avery Murray. With Alex Wujciak and Ben Pooler out with injuries, others proved dependable, including former tight end Drew Gloster and Demetrius Hartsfield. 3. What can Don Brown do for you? Brown's new defensive scheme earned rave reviews from the players and coaching staff this spring. The corners stepped up to the challenge of the press coverage and picked off Chris Turner six times in two scrimmages. Fall questions 1. The rest of the offensive line. The Terps lost three starters, and will have four players in new positions. Bruce Campbell is the only player returning to his old spot at left tackle. The two starting guard spots are up for grabs, as Lamar Young and Andrew Gonnella flip-flopped all spring on the left side. Justin Lewis played better toward the end at right guard. 2. Separation at receiver. There are nine who can play, and every one of them seemed to have his moment at a different time this spring. Still, nobody grabbed hold of the "go-to" guy, previously held by Darrius Heyward-Bey. The staff is still looking for consistency from this young but talented group. 3. Replacing the placekicker. The Terps still don't know who will fill the placekicking shoes of Obi Egekeze. Walk-ons Mike Barbour and Nick Wallace will continue to compete this summer, and highly touted incoming kicker Nick Ferrara will have a chance to win the job.