Maryland moves De'Onte Arnett to offensive line

In a move aimed at helping the future moreso than the present, Maryland's De'Onte Arnett switched from defensive line to offensive line this week.

Arnett, who played in just one game, will provide depth to a unit thinned out by the loss of tackles Justin Gilbert and Pete DeSouza to season-ending injuries.

"We're hoping he can pick things up," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "We don't know how fast this is going to happen, but we think it's a good move not only for our football team, but also for De'Onte."

Arnett enrolled a semester early in 2009, but ultimately redshirted last season. He missed camp after surgery to remove a cyst from his upper ankle, and never factored in early in the season.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder, who Rivals.com listed as a top-100 recruit when he signed with Maryland, has three years of eligibility after this season.

"To me, it's a really good fit," Friedgen said. "He's a very bright kid, very athletic. He's a very hard worker, very motivated. I really think [after] the injury to Pete, he came in and said he wanted to make a move and start fresh. He was put back himself by an injury. He was hurt in camp and missed most of camp, and by the time he got back he didn't have a chance to win a spot. I said 'I was thinking about talking to you about this anyway, and I think it's a good idea.'"

Friedgen said he is unsure what position Arnett will ultimately end up playing. With plenty of depth on the defensive line --- six of the eight players listed as either starters or immediate backups are freshmen and sophomores --- wresting a spot away was a bit daunting.

On the offensive line, though, there remains plenty of inexperience --- as well as a plan by Maryland to avoiding finding itself in a similar predicament in the future.

"I think it's a win-win in both situations," Friedgen said of the position change. "I wish all of them went as well as that one did. I was very receptive to him coming in and telling me that. I watched him last night in practice and I think it's a good move. Now, he doesn't know what he's doing, but I saw him hit people and knock people off the line of scrimmage, and that's a good place to start."

Comments

[ryan]

Why couldnt he get on the field as a D-Lineman? Any other info on what the injury was?- ankle cyst isnt really an injury

[D1scourse]

Ryan ---

The cyst required surgery, so Maryland didnt bring Arnett to camp.

Arnett might have been a victim of Maryland looking for smaller, faster defensive ends. The only DE/Anchor of comparable size is Justin Anderson, and its no secret Maryland thinks hed probably be better-suited to play inside if at all possible.

[ryan]

If i recall, Arnett came in listed at 260, which means he was probably even less- I understand they want smaller quicker ends- doesnt make sense then that the S&C coach is putting weight on these guys. Arnet isnt the first that bulked up and then lost the speed/quickness they presumably had prior. Not everyone is a Vernon Davis or shawne Merriman

[D1scourse]

Ryan ---

To sort out the timeline, he came into CP in January 2009; it wasnt for another year before the slimming became a mandate.

That said, it was just a theory (albeit a logical one) on my end. Dont really know for sure at this point.

[ryan]

i hear you- frustrating a4* prospect with other big time offers cant get on the field at a position really of weakness. Has a DE recorded a sack yet? Not to mention the move of Mackall to MLB elinates another rush end for the time being. Now if Arnett moves to OL in the same fashion Bruce Campbell did, albeit a little later in the game, and gets similar results, it will be for the better. Went back and looked at one of MattBrackens posts from his recruitment and there was mention of Arnett having the wing span of a 7 footer- hopefully serves him well on the o-line