PLACEKICKER BRAD CRADDOCK (Sr.)
On evaluating his game:
“I look at it like I have to be the best I can be and I still have work to do. I’m still not quite satisfied with where I am, but I will get there.”
On the pressure of the position:
“I think if you look it a big picture it’s a little daunting. It’s definitely a hard job. If you go in to kick and you miss, then it’s a letdown for the whole team and I get that. But that comes with the job – I like the pressure. For me, I look at it one kick at a time. Every kick, I’m 1-for-1 and then I look at the next kick like I’m 1-for-1. I keep everything small and condensed and that’s how I approach it. Once something has happened you can’t dwell on it; if you miss one kick, which happens because no one is perfect.”
DEFENSIVE BACK SEAN DAVIS (Sr.)
On moving to man-to-man defense:
“I’m definitely looking forward to it. I’m a bigger guy so I’ll be able to play a lot more press and let our linebackers and D-line handle the run while we handle the wide receivers one-on-one.
On the new 4-3 defense:
“I love it. I believe in it and so does everyone else. I really enjoy my part in contributing to the defense.”
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN MICHAEL DUNN (Jr.)
On his interactions with Daxx Garman:
“Daxx has been great and adjusted to the program really well. He’s a very friendly guy. I think it will be a great battle with all three of them (Daxx Garman, Caleb Rowe and Perry Hills). As an offensive lineman my job is just to focus on whoever is in there and helping him out and letting him do the best that he can. So for me I am like every other fan just waiting to see who is going to win the starting job. Whoever wins is going to be a good choice.”
On if it makes it harder not knowing who the starting QB is going into camp:
“Not really. It allows you to build a relationship with all three of them. In the unfortunate case of an injury and the backup is needed, it will be easier because we have already played with him and you know what type of player he is. So I think it’s good we are getting repetitions with all three of them.”
QUARTERBACK DAXX GARMAN (Sr.)
On his goals to be starter:
“I came here to compete for the job and that’s what I’m going to do. I feel like we all bring strengths to the field and are capable of throwing the ball really well.”
On his experience at Oklahoma State:
“It’ll be very helpful going forward. You only get better from experience and I valued my time at Oklahoma State. I’m ready to take that experience and elevate my game to a new level here at Maryland.”
QUARTERBACK PERRY HILLS (Jr.)
On his focuses this summer:
“I really focused on getting my agility up. I’ve also been working on my release to get the ball out quicker from the snap or the gun.”
On the quarterback competition:
“We’re all great competitors and that’s great because it will bring out the best game in each of us. We’re each going to give 100 percent every time because the position is open for anyone to take like Coach Edsall said.”
WIDE RECEIVER LEVERN JACOBS (RJr.)
On playing with his little brother, Taivon:
“It feels good to have him back. He’ll play a big role on the field and being the receivers’ captain. Last year he was a captain on the sideline but it’s even better when he’s out there with us.”
On potential breakout goals:
“Having those individual goals does not mean anything if the team is losing, so I think my goals would have to be just getting those wins. Nobody in this room wants to be mediocre. I think our biggest goal is getting more than seven wins and getting over that hump to be a major factor in the Big Ten.”
WIDE RECEIVER TAIVON JACOBS (RFr.)
On coming back from injury:
“Anytime you have something keeping you from the field it means you have something to work towards. While sitting out you’re just anxious to get back. This is a big day for me after sitting out a year. I’ve waited so long and it’s finally here”
On Edsall praising him for work ethic:
“It’s always great for your head coach to see that you’re hard working and it’s paying off. I just have to keep my production up on and off the field.”
On playing with his brother, Levern:
“We always compete with each other to help out the team. We would love to be on the field at the same time but it’s all up to the coaches.”
DEFENSIVE END MELVIN KEIHN (So.)
On what made him want to come back to the area:
“Obviously my first year at Virginia Tech was very good I enjoyed the coaching staff there. I was attracted by “The Movement” and returning to my hometown team. I just thought that coming back home and playing for the home team and playing for Coach Edsall and the other coaches here and joining “The Movement” was something that I would enjoy. It is a good for me to take this year off so I can get used to things and next year hopefully do what I came here to do which was help the Maryland Terrapins.”
CORNERBACK WILLIAM LIKELY (Jr.)
On five of first seven games being at home:
“We’re excited for us and our fans to really gain that September momentum. It’s going to be a pretty exciting year.”
On focus/goals for camp:
“We just getting better overall. We will take it one day at a time leading up to the first game.”
On how he feels about 2015 getting underway:
“It is pretty exciting – everybody has a lot of energy out here. There’s a lot of energy in the building getting ready for the first practice.”
On the defensive scheme change and what it means for the team:
“It is good, the coaches have some tricks up their sleeve and everybody is excited. We are just ready to make plays.”
On what is next for him in 2015:
“I just want to be better than I was last year. I’m going to practice hard every day and compete with those guys like [Levern Jacobs]. He helps me get better with my craft. Just competing overall is going to help me get better.”
On the expectations for Maryland football in year two of being in the Big Ten:
“Play all four quarters and win. Simple.”
DEFENSIVE END YANNICK NGAKOUE (Jr.)
On if he sees himself as a leader:
“I see myself as a leader. I’m always trying to lead by example and stay humble. I never try to put myself above any of the other guys on the team because at the end of the day these guys are my brothers. They shed tears with me in the summer, winter and spring. Being a leader on the team is a huge honor.”
On what prompted him to go talk to Brad Craddock:
“He is a very successful guy and every time you see a successful person you want to go try and pick their brain and see what it takes to become successful. He taught me about having good structure. It’s good to set a schedule each and every day to build yourself into something you ultimately want to be. It is all positive things to do to help you before the game.”
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN DAMIAN PRINCE (RFr.)
On playing in a “lineman league”:
“I’m definitely excited. There has been a lot of great offensive linemen that have come through this league. I am just worrying about competing with myself and not so much competing for any accolades. I’m really just trying to compete with myself and making myself the best football player.”
On being away from gameplay while redshirting:
“Football is partially a muscle memory thing. If you don’t play in a while you won’t feel as fluid and natural as you would if you played all the time. I just took the time outside of here and took more reps on my own to try to get comfortable and more fluid again. I definitely feel like I’m back now after working on my craft this summer.”
RUNNING BACK BRANDON ROSS (Sr.)
On the team’s personnel:
“We have some different personnel with some new players coming in. Across the board we are going to be fine. We have the majority of the starters on the offensive line returning. We also have a couple new wide-outs.
On the team’s expectations in the conference:
“Expectations are definitely high. We just want to build on what we did last year.”
On his own expectations:
“I just want to continue to limit my mistakes and contribute to the team any way I can; whether it be catching the ball, running out the back field, or blocking down field, I’ll do whatever coach needs me to do. A big thing with me last year was I put the ball on the ground a lot so I’m going to make sure I don’t turn over the ball because that’s costing to my offense.”
QUARTERBACK CALEB ROWE (RJr.)
On his knee:
“It feels good. I’m 100% and I feel confident. I haven’t had any problems with it.”
On his relationship CJ Brown:
“I’ve learned a lot from CJ and we have a great relationship. I still talk to him and learning from him was awesome.”
On the team’s style of play:
“Everyone has to adapt. So we are going to do whatever it takes to win football games. If it means spreading every one out and winning with our skill guys or loading the box and running the ball, Coach Locksley is going to do whatever it takes for us to win.”
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ANDREW ZELLER (Sr.)
On what the offensive line has done this offseason:
“What we have done this offseason is become stronger in the weight room which is going to help us in the trenches. In games in the Big Ten it is either the defensive line or the offensive line that win you the game. We want to have our offensive line win games for us this season. That is why we put a big emphasis on getting bigger and stronger this offseason.”
On the biggest thing he took away from last season:
“The biggest thing from last season was just getting to play in these bigger venues. The Big Ten has much bigger venues than the ACC and it is great to have the opportunity to play these big teams.”
On what leadership means to him:
“Leadership means doing the right thing on and off the field. You have to be a role model for everybody, not just the offensive line.”
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