College Football: The 10 Best Maryland Terrapins of All Time

With the 2009 NCAA Football season on the horizon, the scents of beer, bratwurst, and burgers on Saturday mornings are just around the corner.

Eager with anticipation, I have been overcome by a sense of nostalgia, and decided to take a look back. Here is my crack at a list of Maryland's top players over the years. Enjoy.

10) Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

10) Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

Heyward-Bey did not earn many accolades in his three years at Maryland. He finished his career with the second-most receiving yards in school history and was the focal point of the team's passing game for the last two seasons.

This spring he was drafted 7th overall by the Oakland Raiders and should be an immediate impact on a team that struggled through the air in 2008.

This pick is purely based on potential.

9) Jermaine Lewis, WR

Lewis, a four-year starter at Maryland, set several ACC records at wide receiver for the Terps, including total receiving yards.

His career, however, was made in the NFL. Lewis played for eight seasons and was selected to two Pro Bowls. He flourished as a kick and punt returner.

In 2001, while with the Ravens, he earned a Super Bowl ring and returned a kickoff for a touchdown

8) Bob Ward, Guard and Defensive Line

Alright, so that isn't a photo of Ward.

The four-year varsity guard and defensive lineman (yes, he played both sides) was the first jersey to be retired at Byrd Stadium, and was part of what many would call Maryland's golden years as a football school.

During his career, Ward and the Terps won two bowl games and a national championship.

After school Ward decided to coach rather than continue to play football. For 22 years he served mostly as an assistant at various schools, and even coached current skipper Ralph Friedgen.

Ward's coaching career was capped off by two seasons at the helm of UMD's team. His overall record was 2-17.

Presumably for his skills as a player, Ward was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

7) Lamont Jordan, RB

Like Lewis, Jordan truly made a name for himself after entering the pro ranks.

At Maryland he was named to the 1999 All-ACC team and second team All-America. He is currently entering his ninth NFL season and will suit-up for the Denver Broncos.

His career is highlighted by his 2005 season with the Oakland Raiders. Jordan gained 1,025 yards on the ground and caught 70 passes for over 500 yards.

He had the most catches of all NFL running backs.

6) Dick Modzelewski, DT

Again, its really hard to get pictures of old guys.

Modzelewski, besides having a really long last name, was twice named an All-American defensive tackle and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Like Ward, he was also a Terp during the early 50's and part of a National Championship team.

He followed his years at Maryland with 14 seasons in the NFL and played 180 consecutive games, setting a league record.

After hanging his cleats up, Modzelewski picked up the clipboard. He coached through 1988, mostly as a defensive coordinator.

5) E.J. Henderson, LB

At Maryland, Henderson earned the NCAA records for tackles per game (12.5), single-season total tackles (135), and solo tackles per game (8.8).

A two-time All-American, he won the Butkus and Bednarik awards for his defensive dominance and was part of the Terps' 2001 ACC Championship team.

In 2003 he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and remains with the team. He sat out the majority of 2008 with an injury, but showed all-pro potential in 2007, totaling 118 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

A few more years and he might be higher up on this list.

4) Stan Jones, T and DT

Jones is another old guy. He was part of the 1950's Terrapin dominance movement.

An offensive and defensive tackle, Jones was an All-American in addition to a National Champion. He was also elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

In his 12-year NFL career Jones was moved to guard, and the shift proved to be a positive one. He was named to seven Pro Bowls and earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

3) Gary Collins, WR

As a wide receiver at Maryland, Collins set school and ACC records. He also finished eighth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.

Collins, however, really flourished in the NFL. He totaled 5,299 yards and 70 touchdowns in his career and led the NFL in 1963 with thirteen receiving scores.

He also won the NFL Championship with the Browns in 1964 and was named the game's MVP.

Collins was on the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1960's.

2) Randy White, DE, DT, LB

White's career at Maryland was certainly a celebrated one. He was awarded the 1974 Lombardi Trophy and named the ACC Player of the Year.

He was recently named to ABC's All-Time All-America team and elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

White played linebacker and defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975-88 and was named to nine Pro Bowl teams. He was part of Dallas' 1977 Super Bowl Champion team, and he earned co-MVP honors.

He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1980's.

1) Boomer Esiason, QB

No shocker here.

Esiason passed for 6,259 yards and 42 touchdowns, while setting 17 school records at Maryland.

In the NFL he was elected to four Pro Bowls and won the league's MVP award in 1988. In 1995 he was given the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his charity work.

Esiason passed for the 13th most yards in NFL history (37,920) and 14th most touchdowns (247).

He has since become a prominent NFL broadcaster.