Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said Monday that heralded wide receiver recruit Kenny Tate will instead vie for playing time at strong safety. At DeMatha last season, Tate was ranked the No. 16 wide receiver in the country by recruiting service Scout.com. But the Terps lack depth at safety, according to Friedgen, and already have a wealth of young talent at receiver.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder actually started three years at strong safety for DeMatha. Tate noted that former Maryland
strong safety Dennard Wilson is a DeMatha assistant coach and employs similar defensive terminology with the Terps.
Recommended Stories
Tate said he spent the summer running seven-on-seven drills at receiver and had expected to play that position before the coaching
staff asked him to consider a switch. He made the decision over the weekend, although Fridgen said playing Tate at receiver remains a possibility for next season.
“I’m happy with the decision. I figured I would help the team more as a safety this year than at wide receiver,” Tate said. “This can balance out our defense and make us the best team that we can be.”
The Terps, who fi nished 6-7 last season, lost in the Emerald Bowl, 21-14, to Oregon State. Maryland opens the 2008 season against Football Championship Subdivision finalist Delaware, then travels to Middle Tennessee State before hosting Cal and Eastern Michigan in September.
