Freshman Fulper Moves from Center to Guard

Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen has been trying to find answers along the offensive line during all of preseason camp. He has center Phil Costa and left tackle Bruce Campbell, but the three other positions are large question marks.

Friedgen has now moved true freshman Bennett Fulper from center to guard. Friedgen has been high on the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Fulper, and obviously Fulper has a much better chance to get on the field at guard this season.

“We’d like for him to be the center eventually, but right now, with four guards, he has got a chance to win a job.”

Fulper is behind Justin Lewis at right guard. Sophomore Andrew Gonnella is at left guard. Maurice Hampton and Lamar Young are the other guards. At right tackle right now is Paul Pinegar, with Tyler Bowen backing him up.

Regarding Young, Friedgen said: “His shoulder slipped out. Probably something that will have to be operated on after the season. He'll play this season unless it keeps slipping out.”

Friedgen also talked extensively about Gonnella and Pinegar:

“The funny thing about it is, Gonnella and Pinegar, we didn't even try to get them. They just kind of showed up. Both of those kids got into school on their own. They're both pretty bright kids. Gonnella, he showed up here and he was 6-5, about 285. Now he's probably 310 or so, very strong. He's gotten better. The thing I worry about with him, he's a very hyper kid. He hyperventilates. I see him in the huddle sometimes gasping for air.

“Yesterday the effort he gave was phenomenal. He really is an effort guy. I'm really proud of him, too, because he's such a competitor. He works so darn hard, and I think he'll continue to get better and better because when I put him on scholarship, I told him: 'I'm betting on the come with you. Don't go the other way just because you got a scholarship.' He promised me he wouldn't and he hasn't. He's actually gotten a lot better since he's gotten the scholarship. A pretty good kid; we'd be in trouble without him.”