Starting right guard Lewis out after violating team policies
New Maryland football coach Randy Edsall has dismissed junior offensive lineman Justin Lewis for a “violation of team policies,” the school announced Tuesday.
Lewis, a starter for all but one game at right guard last year, and a key to the Terps’ vast improvement up front in 2010, never got a chance to play for Edsall. He was out last spring following surgery. In the Red-White spring game, sophomores Josh Cary (6-5, 300) and Pete White (6-4, 330) took his place at right guard.
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“As with any organization there are policies which must be adhered to by all individuals and when there are not, there are consequences for an individual’s actions,” Edsall said in a statement.
Maryland worked hard to rebuild the offensive line after a disastrous 2009 season (2-10), when injuries exposed a lack of depth. Line depth was a strength last season, as the Terps performed well up front despite injuries.
But there are some concerns now with the loss of Lewis, a second ACL tear in the spring to former starting left tackle Justin Gilbert (6-6, 300), a junior who is likely out until October, and the uncertain status of left tackle Pete DeSouza (6-6, 310), a sophomore who suffered multiple leg fractures in a moped accident last fall.
Lewis joins a growing list of Terps who will not play in the fall. Promising defensive tackle Zach Kerr and incoming wide receiver Nigel King have been grounded by academic problems. Quarterback Tyler Smith, running back Gary Douglas, and linebacker Ryan Donohue have transferred out. And graduated fullbacks Haroon Brown and Taylor Watson have opted not to use their final year of eligibility.
