A player who Maryland fans seem to ask about quite a bit is guard Pete White, especially in light of the Terrapins' issues on the offensive line this spring.
So it was only a matter of time before that topic came up during one of Ralph Friedgen's post-practice sessions.
"I thought Pete was a little better [Friday]," Friedgen said. "He's still making way too many errors. He played a little bit lower. I think it's real important these last five practices he starts showing signs of getting better. I think that's really important if he's going to make our team."
In other words, it's probably not where Maryland wishes he was at this point. Then again, since he's only a redshirt freshman, it's not a shock he's not the steadiest guy.
The problem is Maryland's guard situation is far from good. Andrew Gonnella is the steadiest of the bunch at left guard, while Bennett Fulper, Justin Lewis and Josh Cary are splitting time on the right side. Lamar Young is out for the spring thanks to surgery and academics.
In theory, it was an opportunity for White. But reasons both mental and technical, his progress is more or less gradual.
"He's thinking," Friedgen said. "You'd like to get him to where he knows what he's doing so he can focus on just staying low and hitting the right landmarks. He's a typical young lineman, hitting the wall."
That doesn't mean it'll remain that way. Offensive coordinator James Franklin believes White will be better off once he drops an additional 15-to-20 pounds, something that could happen by the time camp arrives in August.
At that point, he could emerge as a factor. Franklin, in fact, is almost counting on it.
"He's going to need to," Franklin said. "The reality with Pete is he was so much bigger and stronger and so much more physical than most guys he ever went against is he could just get away with that. He could play high, he could knock people around. Even now, he's a powerful guy. He's got to be so much more technique sound and [understand] the complexities of the offense and defense, and being able to know it on the run."
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