KEY LOSSES
The defense bears the biggest brunt of the offseason losses. Alex Wujciak was a top tackler all three years he was healthy, and a leader from his first day at practice. He'll be hard to replace, as will fellow linebacker Adrian Moten. Antwine Perez had a breakout season in the secondary, forming perhaps the best team of safties in the ACC with Kenny Tate.

On offense, Torrey Smith is the big loss, someone who was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. But also tough to replace is the underrated Paul Pinegar, a former walk-on who emerged as the most consistent lineman on the roster as a senior. And Travis Baltz, a four-year starter at punter, also handled field goals as a senior and helped stabilize what looked to be a brutal kicking unit.

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2011:

QB Danny O'Brien -- It's hard to believe that a year ago at this time, he was the decided underdog in the quarterback battle with Jamarr Robinson. After beginning the season as the backup, he emerged to become the ACC Rookie of the Year, and could build on those already excellent numbers in new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's scheme.

RB D.J. Adams -- Ralph Friedgen split the carries among his running backs towards the end of his tenure, but that's generally not the Randy Edsall way. He tends to pick the hot hand and stay with it, and though senior Davin Meggett will likely begin the season as the nominal starter, Adams has the power running style that Edsall has favored in the past.

S Kenny Tate -- The Terrapins knew that Torrey Smith was likely to turn pro, but were concerned that Tate might follow him to the next level. There was a big sigh of relief on campus when the deadline came and went without him placing his name in for consideration, because the big-play specialist has a nose for the ball and hands that are befitting of an all-star wide receiver, like he was in high school. Tate should be a candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award this season, and is a key part of what makes Don Brown's defense so dangerous.

DL A.J. Francis -- Francis says he's a future President, and he commands a large enough presence in the locker room that you believe it. The task now is to continue to channel that onto the field. The defensive line was not the weakness that many expected it to be when the season began, but it's still generally undersized and thin, and there isn't much margin for error there.

PLAYER NOTES

--WR Adrian Coxson may be the newcomer with the biggest impact in 2011. The Florida transfer could contend for a starting job immediately, given the toll graduation has taken on the rotation.

--OL Pete DeSouza broke both his legs and nearly died in a scooter accident in Oct. He hopes to be able to play in 2011.

--CB Dexter McDougle missed the Military Bowl with a broken collarbone suffered in a scooter accident, but should be ready to go for spring practice. After the accidents suffered by him and teammate Pete DeSouza, new coach Randy Edsall was expected to ban his team from using scooters next year.

--DB Desmond Kearse is a candidate for a medical redshirt for the 2010 season. He didn't play after Sept. 25 because of an ankle injury.

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