Not to harp on a theme from last season --- and I'll try to contain it to this single post for the spring, or at least a few weeks, though no promises --- but the final returns from Maryland's offensive line class of 2007 were diminished a little more this offseason.
Stephen St. John, one of seven offensive linemen who entered that year, will take a medical exemption and act as a student coach while finishing off his degree. St. John endured several shoulder injuries and was unable to finish his career.
He joins Tyler Bowen, also part of that 2007 class, as injury-addled former linemen. Bowen, who very well might have started a year ago, gave up his playing career last fall after a series of foot injuries.
Those guys are at least still around the program, helping in some way. Both Joe Faiella (transferred to Stony Brook) and Bearthur Johnson (flunked out) left before playing a down.
Meanwhile, Maurice Hampton is switching from offense to defense, and Bruce Campbell departed for the NFL after three seasons and 17 career starts.
That leaves Lamar Young as the lone member of that class that will actually be a part of the offensive line this fall as a redshirt junior or true senior. And Young is out for the spring with a shoulder injury.
Think about that. Seven linemen came in three years ago, and not one of them will play on offense this spring for Maryland.
It's a reminder that a "hole in the program" --- as Ralph Friedgen called it last season --- doesn't just fill in overnight. The offensive line was and remains a trouble spot, and no amount of wishing and hoping will change that instantaneously.
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