Darrius Heward-Bey (8) has produced numerous big plays in two years at Maryland, including this 2007 TD against Boston College. Doug Pensinger/getty images View and ORDER more photos.

Heward-Bey gives Terps a deep threat

Date published: 8/26/2008

BY STEVE DeSHAZO

COLLEGE PARK, Md.--

He runs 40 yards in 4.3-seconds. He gives opposing defensive backs restless nights during the week before they face Maryland, because he can turn almost any snap into a big play.

That's the good news for Terrapin fans.

Now, the bad: If Heward-Bey enjoys the breakout junior season many experts expect, he might not be around as a senior. He has prototypical NFL size (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) and the aforementioned jets.

"I would definitely say he's one of the top receivers in the [Atlantic Coast Conference]," Virginia safety Byron Glaspy said. "He's a very dynamic player."

But if speed were everything, Usain Bolt would be the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

Lots of fast guys never catch a pro pass. What sets Heward-Bey apart?

"He's different from a lot of track guys," Maryland receivers coach Lee Hull said. "Darrius wants to be a total receiver, not just a deep-ball threat. He loves to run routes, and he's a pretty good blocker. Some track kids are soft, but Darrius is not soft.

"He has the willingness and the desire to be good. He watches more film than maybe anybody on the team. He watches other players, and he listens in meetings."

That attention to detail could be key this season as the Terrapins shift from a pro-style offense to a West Coast attack.

The new approach requires timing and quick passes, meaning Heward-Bey can't rely entirely on his ample physical gifts.

"One thing he can do is he can really run. He's a world-class sprinter," head coach Ralph Friedgen said. "What we've got to do is get him to run all routes at the same speed. That's the tough part."

Don't expect Heward-Bey to run exclusively curl and slant routes, though. His forte is getting open deep.

He introduced himself to the ACC as a redshirt freshman in 2006 by catching touchdown passes of 65 and 96 yards against Miami, the latter a school record. (The Terps' only longer scoring play from scrimmage was a 98-yard run by Spotsylvania native Steve Atkins in 1978).

This week, The Free Lance-Star profiles area college football teams. Here is the schedule: TODAY: TOMORROW: Virginia THURSDAY: Virginia Tech FRIDAY: State small colleges

Date published: 8/26/2008