Terps' Leading Question

Who Will Start at QB -- Steffy, Portis or Turner? -- Dominates Day One

Reporters and photographers formed human walls around Jordan Steffy and Josh Portis yesterday, with all asking a variation of the only question that seemed to matter as the Maryland Terrapins opened preseason camp: Who's going to be the starting quarterback?

As they begin preparations for their Sept. 1 game against Villanova, the Terrapins must address issues at key defensive positions, the kicking game and on the offensive line. But the College Park quarterback situation has drawn the most attention and will likely remain topic No. 1 at least until Coach Ralph Friedgen decides on a starter.

For his part, Friedgen said he doesn't plan to drag the competition too deep into camp, announcing yesterday that a starter should be named as early as next week.

"I'm not going to take a whole long time to make a decision here," Friedgen said. "We'll see where we are."

Portis, Steffy and third-stringer Chris Turner -- who vaulted into the race with a strong spring -- represent three drastically different choices for the Terrapins. All three are relatively inexperienced, combining for 18 career completions and no touchdowns, and only Steffy has played a down in a Maryland uniform.

However, each brings skills that make them attractive possibilities.

Steffy, a junior, has the edge in experience and knows Friedgen's offensive system well, especially after playing under former starter Sam Hollenbach last season. Portis, a sophomore transfer from Florida who redshirted last season, brings mobility to the position. The prospect of a fleet quarterback excites Friedgen, who hasn't had a true scrambler in recent years. Meanwhile, Turner, a sophomore, is more of a pocket passer who has grasped the offense in his time at Maryland.

"With Chris, he knows the playbook like the back of his hand," Terrapins wide receiver Darius Heyward-Bey said. "You can do a lot with that because he goes through every read. He's being totally overlooked."

Heyward-Bey said the three quarterbacks in the hunt enjoy a cordial relationship, often sharing knowledge with one another during meetings and team activities. Off the field, though, the three aren't as close, which may explain why each quarterback has handled the situation differently.

"We go our separate ways about doing things," Portis said. "We never really hang around with each other."

Steffy, in his third year in the program, said he's treating the preseason as if he has the job. He enters camp officially atop the depth chart and likely will see the most reps in the early going.

"I've been here a long time," said Steffy, who conducted interviews in an open area so television cameras could squeeze in. "The thing that people don't understand is that they think if a guy has talent he can just go out and play. It doesn't work like that. On paper that's good, but when we get on the field, different things happen."