Maryland coach Randy Edsall’s first year did not go well by any measure in 2011. The team finished 2-10, players left the program in droves, and Edsall took plenty of criticism from the Washington, D.C. media. In 2012, Edsall hopes to turn things around with new coordinators, a few highly touted true freshmen, and a new approach, especially on offense.

The offseason brought about plenty of changes at Maryland. Edsall hired former New Mexico head coach Mike Locksley as his offensive coordinator and brought in Brian Stewart from Houston to run the defense. Maryland also sought out the services of a public relations firm to work with Edsall and other athletic officials.

“When you have the year that we had, you take a look at where you were,” Edsall said. “I wasn’t happy with where we were and we made changes.”

Most important, Locksley reinvigorated Maryland’s recruiting efforts in Washington, D.C., and the Terrapins brought in wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Wes Brown, both out of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Md. They lead an impressive 2012 recruiting class.

Last year, we saw a Clemson offense take the conference by storm, led by a new offensive coordinator and an influx of talent. Even adding Diggs and Brown to the mix, that level of transformation is probably unrealistic at Maryland. The talent just isn’t there across the board, but that doesn’t mean the Terrapins can’t drastically improve an offense that ranked No. 67 nationally in total offense last year. Many associate Locksley with his tenure at New Mexico, but he did have success as the offensive coordinator at Illinois, where his team ranked No. 19 nationally in total offense his last year there in 2008.

Edsall doesn’t want to hand either Diggs or Brown a starting spot, but both have prime opportunities to contribute in a big way this season. Edsall said Locksley will implement a multiple, no-huddle offense with “spread mechanics” that will get the ball in the hands of the playmakers. The speedy Diggs certainly qualifies as a playmaker. Maryland will rely on senior wide receivers Kevin Dorsey and Kerry Boykins, but after that, there isn’t much on the outside. Diggs also could make an impact in the return game.

Brown has even less in front of him on the depth chart at running back. Sophomore Justus Pickett returns after running for 274 yards and a touchdown in 2011. He stands just 5-10, 185 pounds compared to Brown, who is 6-1, 210 pounds. Quarterback C.J. Brown is the team’s leading returning rusher. He ran for 574 yards and 5 touchdowns a year ago, averaging 7.3 yards per carry.

For an offensive transformation, Locksley will need to get the most out of his quarterback. C.J.  Brown completed just 49.4% of his passes last year and threw for 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in five starts. This year, he is the unquestioned starter after Danny O’Brien transferred to Wisconsin, and Brown was voted a team captain as a junior.  

“I thought C.J. made good strides in spring practice,” Edsall said. “I think the biggest thing that we tried to tell C.J. is utilize all your abilities. He can throw the football, but if there are things that aren’t taking place back there that he likes then go ahead and utilize your feet to your advantage. By doing that, it’s going to make us a little bit more difficult to defend.”

Where the offense really needs to improve is in conversion opportunities. Maryland ranked No. 101 nationally in third-down conversion percentage (35.8%) and No. 111 nationally in red-zone scoring percentage (70%). Moreover, the Terrapins were next to last among all FBS schools in red-zone touchdown percentage, getting in the end zone in 45.7% of their red-zone trips. Preseason All-ACC tight end Matt Furstenburg should help in that area as should Diggs and Brown.

There is no burden of expectations at Maryland this year; the team was picked to finish last in the Atlantic Division. That doesn’t mean there isn’t pressure, as back-to-back 2-10 or comparable seasons would do nothing to silence the critics. Edsall is off to a seemingly better start this year, and with the help of new faces both on the roster and the coaching staff, Maryland could surprise some people.