Maryland Terrapins Navarre grows up, moves over

The 2003 state high school wrestling champion, who went 88-2 at Joppatowne High, started his career at fullback before landing at defensive end just before summer camp his freshman year. And after three years as the regular starter, Navarre is moving again – just one gap over to tackle.

“I knew my time before I left this school I’d eventually move to tackle,” Navarre said. “I knew I was just a little too small [when I enrolled as a freshman]. But I knew that was a place I’d end up before I leave.”

In fact, Navarre never even discussed the move with the coaching staff. He saw his name listed under defensive tackle in spring camp, and made the adjustment. It’s the kind of selfless, understated action that has made Navarre such a valuable commodity to Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen.

“I’d like to have 22 Jeremy Navarres,” Friedgen said. “He comes out, doesn’t say a whole lot, lines up every play and plays as hard as he possibly can. He’s a tough guy, tremendous competitor.”

While the move was necessitated by a lack of an experienced interior presence, it will also help Navarre build towards his professional future.

“The defensive ends in the NFL are animals, they’re extremely fast,” Navarre said. “I knew I had to keep gradually putting weight on and keep my same speed. I knew my future was at defensive tackle.”

While Navarre works on his aggressive nature on the gridiron, his is much more subdued off the field as his laid-back personality makes him a favorite among teammates.

“He’s crazy on the field. You’d think that’s how he is all the time,” senior offensive tackle Dane Randolph said. “He’s not that crazy all the time. He definitely gets pumped up for the games like anyone else does. He’s reserved. Not necessarily quiet, but he keeps to himself. He’s not one of those guys that’s loud all the time, trying to get attention for himself.”

The attention has come to him.

Navarre was an All-ACC nominee as a junior, starting all 13 games as a defensive end. He’s never missed a game in his career. In 37 career contests, Navarre has 113 tackles – 18 of them behind the line of scrimmage – and nine sacks.

But this season, he’s going to be the man in the middle, hoping to stuff the run and take on blockers to allow the teammates around him to make plays.

Senior linebacker Dave Philistin has been telling his friends at home about “this guy named Jeremy Navarre.”

“He’s strong and athletic. Being a senior, he knows how things are run from the defensive side,” Philistin said. “Jeremy is our main man. I appreciate him a lot. He does a lot, taking on double-teams and splitting the offense.”

Navarre is ready. He’s put on 40 pounds in his time at Maryland to prepare for moving to tackle. But in a way, four years and 40 pounds have come and gone in an instant.

“It’s gone by very fast,” Navarre said. “I remember that first spring ball I came in early out of high school and was playing fullback like it was yesterday. I can’t believe I’m about to play the last first game of my college career.”

THREE KEYS FOR MARYLAND

1. Quarterback play. The Terrapins need someone to step into the role and claim it with authority. Senior Jordan Steffy opens this year as the starter, just like he did as a junior. But junior Chris Turner is right behind him. Any slips by Steffy in the early schedule will create some turmoil. Junior Josh Portis is also in the mix, and could see some situational playing time to take advantage of his athleticism.
2. Tackle. Tackle. Tackle. Maryland has a strong linebacker unit. It did last year, too. But the Terrapins have been prone to giving up big plays, particularly in the running game. Maryland ranked tenth in the 12-team ACC in run defense a year ago, allowing 147.3 yards per game. LBs Adrian Moten and Moise Fokou will be relied upon to replace the departed Erin Henderson, who opted to enter the NFL draft after his junior season.
3. Re-develop the run. Maryland will be without last year’s backfield duo, the graduated tandem of Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball. This season, the Terrapins will trot out a three-headed attack of sophomores Da’Rel Scott and Morgan Green, and true freshman Davin Meggett. Maryland is faster at the position this season, but Scott and Green aren’t seen as short-yardage backs, and Meggett had some fumble issues early in camp.

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Clemson

Florida State

Boston College

Wake Forest

Maryland

NC State

COASTAL DIVISION

Virginia Tech

Miami

North Carolina

Georgia Tech

Virginia

Duke

MARYLAND TERRAPINS

• Coach: Ralph Friedgen (8th year, 56-31)
• Last year: 6-7, lost to Oregon State in Emerald Bowl, 21-14
• Returning offensive/defensive starters: 9/5
• We’d pay to watch: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey. The 6-foot-3, 206-pound product of McDonogh School runs a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash and is considered a legit NFL prospect. Last season, Heyward-Bey had 786 yards and three touchdowns receiving.
• A New Year’s Day bowl if: The offensive playbook is opened-up completely. Maryland fans have bombarded message boards the past two seasons asking for Friedgen to be more aggressive in his play calling. New offensive coordinator James Franklin promises to utilize the team’s speed.
• Home for the holidays if: The defense can’t figure out how to stop the run. Maryland has had issues tackling in recent seasons, and was prone to the big play in 2007. This year’s team has to contain runs and short pass plays.
• 3 – losses at home, the second most in the ACC Atlantic Division
• 178 – yards per game passing Chris Turner in ’07, 80 more on average than Jordan Steffy
• 395 – combined carries by departed tailbacks Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball

SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 vs. Delaware

Sept. 6 at Middle Tennessee State

Sept. 13 vs. California

Sept. 20 vs. Eastern Michigan

Sept. 27 at Clemson

Oct. 4 at Virginia

Oct. 18 vs. Wake Forest

Oct. 25 vs. NC State*

Nov. 6 at Virginia Tech

Nov. 15 vs. North Carolina

Nov. 22 vs. Florida State

Nov. 29 at Boston College

* – Homecoming

SEASON HINGES ON: Sept. 27 at Clemson. Coming off a challenging non-conference schedule, Maryland jumps right into the ACC with what is expected to be one of the conference’s best teams. Clemson returns second-team All-ACC QB Cullen Harper.

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