Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen isn’t too worried over choosing his starting quarterback this fall. Turns out the Terrapins have an heir and a spare.
Jordan Steffy has waited three years for his chance. The highly-regarded Leola, Pa. recruit was supposed to be the Terps top prospect since Friedgen turned Boomer Esiason into a 1984 second-rounder. However, sophomore Josh Portis is now eligible after playing sparingly in six games at Florida in 2005.
Steffy spent two years behind Sam Hollenbach after briefly playing in six games in 2004. He knows the system. The Terps might be fine with him despite one appearance last season and none in 2005.
“I feel like it’s finally my team,” Steffy said. “I feel like God has put his hand out on me and it’s your time and everything has smoothed out.”
Unfortunately, Steffy has a history of injuries and a teammate who might be the Terps best prospect behind center since Boomer.
Portis reminds me of former North Carolina forward Marvin Williams. Every inch of their body works in a fluid motion. They’re natural athletes that make everyone stop to watch. I felt the same thing when seeing Vernon Davis as a Terps freshman tight end who became a first-rounder.
Portis is a cousin of Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis so he has the genes for the game. His passing is remindful of former Redskins quarterback Jeff George in practice, which was the sweetest lure of all.
Friedgen has long awaited such a quarterback competition. In fact, it might go all the way to Maryland’s Sept. 1 opener versus Villanova. And if one stumbles, the other could play very quickly.
Maryland’s April 28 spring game is only the first test. Summer practice is the second. Finding the end zone in the opening weeks is the third. Spring workouts will spot the leader, but not necessarily the starter.
“We may know somebody’s ahead,” Friedgen said, “but that doesn’t mean that’s [not] going to change when the fall starts.
“Jordan is playing as good as he’s ever played here. Hopefully, that will be good enough. It’s a long way to go in that race. … [Portis is] way ahead of where I thought he would be at this time. He sees things very well and his footwork is getting better. He has tremendous awareness of putting touch on the ball and when to put some zip on the ball.”
Sounds like a coach letting it play out. Like a poker player asking for one card with two pairs of aces in his hand. You don’t tip a smile. You don’t look at the competition. You just smile inside.
Either way, quarterback won’t be Maryland’s biggest worry this season.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
