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Media Credit: Adam Fried

Quarterback Josh Portis dropped back to pass to freshman Kevin Dorsey in a one-on-one drill yesterday. But as Dorsey struggled with tight coverage, Portis pulled the ball down and shrugged his shoulders instead of throwing a possible interception.

"You don't have faith in your receivers," cornerback Richard Taylor hollered at Portis from the sideline. "Throw that s---!"

Taylor's taunt was just a friendly jab at the offense, because these days, the receiving corps is considered a strong point for the Terrapin football team.

With a number of fast and talented receivers, just finding enough playing time for them all may be the unit's biggest problem.

"I think it's a good problem to have - we're loaded," quarterback Chris Turner said.

"We're deep now," redshirt junior Darrius Heyward-Bey said. "I was here when there were six of us. I've been here for the good times and the bad times, so right now, this has been good."

As a result, when potential starting receivers Isaiah Williams and LaQuan Williams each had fluke injuries during Sunday's practice, the Terps didn't panic.

LaQuan broke his ankle when a defensive back stepped on it, and Isaiah broke his hand in a limited contact drill. Coach Ralph Friedgen believes both players will need surgery and will likely be out for the rest of spring.

But their injuries have launched opportunities for other young receivers to step up.

"We move [sophomore Adrian] Cannon over to the X position, and [redshirt freshman] Torrey Smith - we get a lot more looks at him," Friedgen said. "[Redshirt freshman] Tony Logan we're going to move out and get him looks at the outside position. Those kids haven't been getting a lot of reps, and now they'll be able to get a lot of reps. In the long run I think it will help us."

While the young receivers showed flickers of potential, they, along with the proven veterans, had a rough day in one-on-one workouts yesterday.

Receivers dropped passes, ran routes out-of-bounds and didn't get open on enough plays to prevail over the defensive backs.

Ironically, one of their few big plays came when redshirt freshman Quinton McCree ran the wrong route but still caught a pass for a touchdown.

The receivers faired a bit better in 11-on-11 exercises.

The guy who has been catching everyone's eye is redshirt freshman slot receiver Ronnie Tyler, who appears shorter than his 5-foot-10 listing but more than makes up for it with his quickness.

"I'm really impressed with all of them, but I really like Ronnie Tyler," senior Danny Oquendo said. "He can catch the ball; he can run; he can make plays after the catch. He's going to be scary good when he gets older."

In addition to the younger players, the Terps will also have Oquendo back this year, after he missed the last four games of last season with a knee injury. He is currently wearing a brace that hinders his movement but expects to be at full strength by the fall.

The team's leading receiver, Heyward-Bey, was actually expected to produce more than his 51 catches and 786 yards last season. But he is still one of the preeminent deep threats in the ACC. Turner said his go-to guy looks better than ever so far this spring.

Once Isaiah Williams and LaQuan Williams come back, the group figures will be a formidable one. And the experience the younger players are now receiving could be crucial down the road if more injuries ensue.

"You learn by experience; you learn by reps. It gives you a chance to learn some things," Heyward-Bey said. "Isaiah has played in games, and LaQuan has played in games, so they can miss out and still come in and know what to do. This gives the chance for [the young guys] to really get some reps."

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