Maryland coach Randy Edsall looks to bounce back after a disappointing 2-10 season where nothing seemed to go right. Here’s a look at Maryland as it begins preseason practice Aug. 6.

It all starts: Aug. 6 is the first day of practice, but Maryland will hold an open scrimmage at Byrd Stadium on Aug. 18.

Three questions to answer in camp:

  1. Is quarterback C.J. Brown ready to step up in new offensive coordinator Mike Locksley’s no-huddle offense? There is no quarterback controversy heading into camp as Brown was voted a team captain and last year’s starter Danny O’Brien transferred to Wisconsin. Brown rushed for more than 100 yards in three games and ran for 574 yards last year. Edsall said he wants his quarterback to utilize all of his abilities, but Brown needs to improve his passing, as he had a 49.4% completion percentage in 2011.
  2. Will Maryland get help from its highly touted freshmen? Edsall’s hiring of Locksley has boosted Maryland’s recruiting efforts, specifically in the Washington, D.C. area. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Wes Brown came on board the 2012 recruiting class from nearby high school power Our Lady of Good Counsel after Locksley’s hiring. Both begin camp at the bottom of the depth chart, but Maryland needs contributions from its freshman class, specifically Diggs.
  3. How will the players fare in new defensive coordinator Brian Stewart’s aggressive 3-4 scheme? Stewart spent the last two years as the defensive coordinator at the University of Houston. Prior to that, he was an assistant in the NFL for seven years, including two years as the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys in 2007-08 under Wade Phillips. Stewart will have to get the most out of senior linebacker Kenny Tate, who missed the final eight games last year with a knee injury. Tate moved from safety to a safety/linebacker hybrid position last year before getting hurt. He will play the Sam linebacker position in Stewart’s scheme.

Player who needs to step up: Tight end Matt Furstenburg was named to the preseason all-conference team, but he had just 10 catches for 92 yards in the team’s last six games in 2011. He needs to be a reliable target for Brown as he continues to develop.

Potential breakout player: At 6-0, 265 pounds, Andre Monroe is moving from defensive tackle to defensive end in the new 3-4 scheme.  Monroe had five sacks on his way to freshman All-American recognition. Monroe and preseason all-conference selection Joe Vellano could be a formidable duo up front for Maryland.

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For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.