Francis taking Armstrong's place on defensive line

When defensive tackle Dion Armstrong told Terrapin football coach Ralph Friedgen he planned to transfer last week, A.J. Francis became the unchallenged starting nose tackle on a unit already under scrutiny because of its inexperience.

Francis, a redshirt freshman, didn’t see any action in 2008 but said he’s ready to take on his new starting role.

“I wouldn’t say there’s pressure,” Francis said. “It’s more of an opportunity for me to stand in and make sure that I take care of business at the nose position.”

Armstrong’s departure will also mean a bigger role for defensive tackle Zachariah Kerr, a true freshman who could play crucial snaps up front in defensive coordinator Don Brown’s new 4-3 defensive scheme.

But even if the expectations are low for the Terps’ defensive line as a whole, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Francis said the new role is one he plans on keeping.

“As of right now I’m the starting nose and I don’t plan on that giving that up,” Francis said. “So I’m gonna make sure I do whatever they want me to do in order for me to keep my position.”

• LEADING LINEBACKERS

Francis and the rest of his linemates will be backed up by another relatively young unit, the Terps’ linebacking corps. But unlike the defensive and offensive lines, Friedgen has repeatedly expressed his confidence in the linebackers throughout the first nine days of preseason camp despite their youth.

Part of the reason for that is the experience and leadership provided by juniors Adrian Moten and Alex Wujciak.

Wujciak was named to the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy Watch Lists for the best defensive player in the country during the past week. His talents were apparent Saturday, when he  fought off an offensive lineman’s block and cleanly tackled a Terp running back attempting to score in the goal line portion of the team’s scrimmage.

While Moten’s name may not be as well known, the starting outside linebacker started to realize his potential in last year’s Humanitarian Bowl, contributing four tackles and a sack. This season he’s taken a mentoring role, especially with his camp roommate: freshman linebacker Darin Drakeford.

“We’ve got so many young guys ... I consider myself as a leader because I’m trying to help with game planning against different teams, what can you see, different schemes, stuff like that,” Moten said. “With Darin, he’s grasping everything. He’s like a sponge. I think he’s a solid backup.”

Drakeford is among a group of younger linebackers, including slated starting Will linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield, that is trying to establish itself all while learning a new defensive scheme.

• CANNON MAKING MOVES

Friedgen said at the beginning of preseason camp last week the Terps have nine wide receivers he would not be afraid to put into a game.
 

On Wednesday, Friedgen said one of the wideouts has stood out from the pack as a potential go-to guy.

“Adrian Cannon is far and above all the receivers. He’s just separated himself,” Friedgen said. “He makes a lot of plays. He’s a big, strong, physical kid that can catch the ball and make a play.”

Cannon has shown flashes of talent over the course of the past two seasons, but 2009 could be his breakout season.

He had a 59-yard touchdown catch in his first career start in the Humanitarian Bowl last December, and he should be in a position to make a more consistent impact this season.
Torrey Smith and Ronnie Tyler are the Terps’ other starters at wide receiver.

• O-LINE JUGGLING

The Terps have made some adjustments on the depth chart among the offensive line.

Lamar Young moved from second-team left guard to first-team left guard, Andrew Gonnella moved from first-team left guard to first-team right guard, Justin Lewis moved from first-team right guard to second-team right guard, and Maurice Hampton moved from second-team right guard to second-team left guard.

Basically, the four players made a clockwise shift around the depth chart.

Bruce Campbell and Phil Costa are solidly entrenched in their respective left tackle and center positions, but Friedgen said the right tackle position is still a battle between Paul Pinegar and R.J. Dill.

Tyler Bowen, another potential competitor for the right tackle spot, has been limited in practice because of a foot injury.

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