Maryland Football Positional Previews: Quarterbacks
Oct 18, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Daxx Garman (12) throws prior to the game against Texas Christian Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Maryland football program is coming off of a seven-win season, which ended in a Foster Farms Bowl loss to Stanford. All in all, the Terps’ inaugural season in the Big Ten wasn’t flashy, but they were able to secure a bowl game berth. With that said, it’s time to look ahead to the 2015-16 season. Maryland has lost a number of key players to graduation, the draft and transfer, so the program has faced a bit of a shakeup this offseason. One of those key players was quarterback C.J. Brown, who was a solid leader, but battled injuries. Let’s take a look at how the quarterback position will stack up this season.
Rising senior Caleb Rowe is currently the projected favorite to be the starting signal-caller for the Terps in 2015. Rowe has only appeared in 13 games and has completed 123 passes for 1,768 yards and 12 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. These aren’t great numbers, but he is familiar with the offense, which is a huge plus. Rowe isn’t as mobile as Brown was, who led the Terps in rushing last season, but he does have a strong arm. The Terps should be able to open up the passing game a little bit, but they need to find some reliable weapons.
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The quarterback situation did get a little more interesting though, as former Oklahoma State quarterback Daxx Garman decided to transfer to Maryland. In nine games with the Cowboys, Garman completed 152 passes for 2,041 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he also threw 12 to the other team. Rowe has a history of injuries, so Garman should be ready to step up and perform if necessary.
Redshirt junior Perry Hills will likely be listed as the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart. Hills also has some quality experience. He’s appeared in nine games and completed 102 passes for 1,422 yards and nine scores to seven interceptions. Hills likely won’t play much this season, barring an injury to Rowe or Garman.
None of Maryland’s quarterbacks are all that impressive on paper, but it’s a brand new season and anything can happen. Rowe and Garman will need to be more efficient throwing the football, as neither passer has completed more than 55 percent of their attempts.
Quarterback isn’t necessarily a position of strength for Maryland, but the experience should be able to account for something.