When athletic director Debbie Yow asked a select group of returning football players who they recommended that she consider as Maryland's next football coach, wide receiver Guilian Gary spoke up quickly.

"How about that big guy from Georgia Tech," Gary said.

Gary was referring, of course, to Ralph Friedgen, whose innovative offensive schemes enabled Georgia Tech to roll up 1,134 total yards on Maryland in the teams' past two meetings.

That's why no Terrapin was happier than Gary when Friedgen was hired to succeed Ron Vanderlinden, whose run-oriented offense made receivers be blockers on most downs. Friedgen sees Gary as the go-to guy in a wide-open offense.

Gary is the only proven commodity among a corps of young, inexperienced receivers. He led the Terps with 40 receptions for 568 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. If Friedgen has his way, those numbers will double in 2001.

"When I sat down with Coach Friedgen and went through the playbook, my eyes lit up. I was like a kid in a candy store," Gary said. "This offense gives the receivers a chance to make plays."

Friedgen and new offensive coordinator Charlie Taafe envision playing Gary primarily in the slot where he can take short passes and turn them into long gains.

"Gary gives maximum effort on every play, comes off the line hard, runs precise routes and makes things happen after the catch," Taafe said.

Gary was a two-sport standout at Horsheads High in New York. He was also a Division I recruit in lacrosse, and still hopes to play that sport for a season at Maryland.

He got on the field as a true freshman by returning punts. He became the Terps' leading receiver as a sophomore before truly blossoming as a junior.

"We haven't really had a passing offense the last few years, so there weren't a whole lot of opportunities for the receivers to shine," Gary said.

"That's going to change with Coach Friedgen's offense. Now, the receivers are expected to make plays, but I want that kind of pressure. I want to be an integral part of the offense."

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