The term redshirt comes with connotations. The player doesn?t travel with the team, and he doesn?t step off the sideline during home games. He isn?t really a part of the team.
“At first I was frustrated, like I wasn?t good enough,” University of Maryland wide receiver Terrell Skinner said. “By the end of the season I was just hungry for some time.”
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Skinner and his roommate Darrius Heyward-Bey, both 6-foot-2, 205-pound sophomores, were redshirt wide receivers last year. Heyward-Bey is a local product from Silver Spring, and Skinner is from St. Petersburg, Fla.
The competition for playing time hasn?t eroded their friendship. In fact, they?ve become best friends, using their uniform numbers ? 8 and 85 ? when talking about themselves.
Practicing behind seniors Jo Jo Walker and Danny Melendez was a goodlearning experience, but both are ready to step under the lights of Byrd Stadium.
“I just want to get on the field,” Heyward-Bey said. “I?ve been waiting so long.”
Both receivers agreed on the biggest adjustment they will have to make at the Division I level.
“The speed of the game,” Skinner said.
“You can have all the speed in the world, but it gets crazy out there, everybody is fast.” Heyward-Bey added.
Their self-imposed expectations call for consistency in every game, but that doesn?t mean they won?t be extra psyched for this season?s tougher matchups.
“We want to play Miami and Florida State,” Heyward-Bey said. “8 and 85 scoring touchdowns all day.”
Added Skinner: “I want to make my name. I want to be on ESPN and everywhere else. I?m a big dreamer.”
Other sophomores who redshirted last year but who will be on the regular roster this season include quarterback Chris Turner, tight end Tommy Galt and fullback Kyle Fraser.
