With Loss, Young Players Emerge

With the Maryland Terrapins' loss Saturday afternoon at the hands of the Boston College Eagles, a couple Terrapins emerged as key players next year in what will be a young receiving corps.

First, redshirt freshman Torrey Smith proved to Terps fans that he will be the #1 WR if Darrius Heyward-Bey declares for the NFL Draft (many believe that he will). Smith had 8 catches for 115 yards - 43 of which came on a long pass play that set up a touchdown by Chris Turner - as well as a touchdown of his own. Also, if he can continue to develop his return game, Maryland will only be that more dangerous next season.

Secondly, sophomore Emani Lee-Odai had 7 catches for 68 yards. Lee-Odai had some solid plays last season, but has not seen the field much this year. Saturday was his breakout game. He will fight with Smith, Ronnie Tyler, Laquan Williams, and Adrian Cannon for catches next year. The more options, the better.

And thirdly, redshirt freshman Lansford Watson had 5 catches for 31 yards. That may not seem like much, but Watson is a solid blocker and should be able to fill the void nicely for tight end Dan Gronkowski, who will have completed his M.B.A and may very well be playing on Sundays. Turner has already proved that he will throw to the tight end with some regularity - Joey Haynos had some big catches last season and Gronkowski was a key part of the offense this season. If Watson can make 5 catches a game next season, the Terps will be near the top of the ACC.

All in all, the Terrapins will be young at wideout. Heyward-Bey will most likely declare, leaving Tyler, Smith, Lee-Odai, Williams, and Cannon the (probable) top five wide-receivers. On Saturday, two of them, along with young tight end Lansford Watson, proved that they are capable of not only contributing, but making plays. Not to mention Ronnie Tyler - yet another redshirt freshman - has made key catches all season long for the Terrapins.

I know it's early to be looking forward to next season, but with a possible trip to Boise State looming, I can't help but want to overlook that (in my opinion) eventual loss.