COLLEGE PARK - If Domonique Foxworth says he has a hunch about something, take it seriously.
Go back two years to 2000, when the Western Tech defensive back was reconsidering his commitment to Maryland after then-coach Ron Vanderlinden had been fired.
But while bigger-name schools approached, his meetings with new Terps coach Ralph Friedgen, defensive coordinator Gary Blackney and wide receivers coach James Franklin gave him a feeling about a program that had been in the dumps for the previous decade.
He went with it, a decision that has more than worked out. One year later, he was a starter at the end of the team's Atlantic Coast Conference title run. Now, as a sophomore, he's regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the league, as proven by first-team All-ACC honors.
"Everyone's looking at me like I'm stupid when I'm turning down schools like Michigan, Purdue and the whole ACC," Foxworth said. "Now, I go home and everyone's like, 'Why didn't you win the ACC?' "
Anticipation, not speed, has been a major reason for Foxworth's success this season. He has picked off five passes and prevented 15 other completions heading into the Peach Bowl against Tennessee in Atlanta on Dec. 31.
He spends as much as five hours of extra time each week watching film, trying to identify what routes receivers might run by where they stand and how they're positioned relative to teammates.
"He will point out things to me," Blackney said. "He's very astute. He has a tremendous amount of confidence because he studies the game and the opposition, and it gives him an advantage."
Both Foxworth and Blackney remember an instance in a 30-12 win over Clemson in which this preparation paid dividends.
Airese Currie - one of several fast Tigers receivers - looked as if he might haul in a long pass from quarterback Charlie Whitehurst.
However, watching film had told Foxworth that Currie was running a post route, so Foxworth was able to get in position and prevent a long gain.
"I was there well before he got there," Foxworth said. "If I didn't know that, I would have been struggling to catch him. It's possible that I could make the play, but it wouldn't have been as easy."
"He's got good instincts," said Clemson receivers coach Rick Stockstill, whose charges also played against Foxworth in his college debut in 2001. "You can see the improvement from last year to this year."
Foxworth showcased his forecasting skills on another play in that game, this time on special teams. Clemson's Justin Miller had returned a Maryland kick 76 yards and appeared poised for a touchdown before Foxworth ran him down, or so it seemed.
"I don't think it's so much my speed as just being smart," said Foxworth, who ran his last official 40-yard dash in April in 4.54 seconds. Foxworth had recognized Miller's run as one designed to go inside and then bounce out. He ran to where he thought Miller should be and "met him there."
Foxworth is one of the impact players on the defense recruited to College Park in the past two years, attracted by the opportunity to play a major role in a rebuilding project.
Although defensive tackle Randy Starks was relegated to second-team All-ACC status after a season of 17 quarterback hurries, linebackers Ricardo Dickerson, Shawne Merriman, D'Qwell Jackson and William Kershaw have also become contributors this season.
Dickerson, one of Foxworth's roommates and a fellow member of the scout team last year, said Foxworth's performances have been one factor in the increased interest in the Terps by high school prospects.
"When they see Randy Starks and Domonique, that gives the recruits the confidence that they can come in and do the same thing," he said.
Foxworth counted on the youth factor in his goal of intercepting seven passes this season. He hoped opponents would see him as a tyro, run receivers at him and he'd be able to create turnovers.
That plan went awry during the sixth game of the season when he was instrumental in keeping Georgia Tech's receivers under wraps in Maryland's 34-10 win. After that nationally televised Thursday night game, he became someone to be avoided for opposing passing attacks.
"I'd like to get to the point where my presence is defense enough," he said.
Until that day comes, Foxworth still has some things to work on. Blackney describes him as a unique talent, a player whom he expects to get better next year, particularly with more time to develop physical strength.
His wiry frame - 5 feet 11, 175 pounds - suffers in comparison to receivers like Virginia's 6-3 Billy McMullen, who has been a nemesis for Maryland's secondary.
"He had a tough time with McMullen," Blackney said. "It's not that Domonique's not committed to [weight training], but he's young. Mentally, I know he has maturity beyond his years, but he's a kid."
Foxworth still sees himself as the young guy in a secondary anchored by junior cornerback Curome Cox. With Dennard Wilson and Madieu Williams probably returning, the Terps could have one of the ACC's top defensive backfields next season.
Peach Bowl opponent Tennessee is a program with a tradition of great receivers. The Volunteers could provide a major test of progress for the Terps' secondary, which struggled against Florida State in the second quarter of a 37-10 loss on Sept. 14.
"One of the things we talked about was that you live or die with your performance in the Florida State game," Foxworth said.
"This will be an important point for our secondary in terms of respect across college football, for next season and successive seasons."
Next for Terps
Matchup:No. 20 Maryland (10-3) vs. Tennessee (8-4) in Peach Bowl
Site:Georgia Dome, Atlanta
When:Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m.
TV/Radio:ESPN/WBAL (1090 AM)
Line:Pick 'em