COLLEGE PARK — One of the more difficult challenges for the new Maryland football coaching staff will be sharing senior Will Likely.
Likely has shown during his first three seasons the capacity to make plays in all facets of the game – as an undersized yet tenacious defender at cornerback, as a dangerous kick and punt returner and, in a smaller sample size last year, a more-than-capable slot receiver and running back.
That is why one of the first noticeable changes in Maryland's depth chart heading into Saturday's season opener against Howard is that the 5-foot-7 senior is listed as a starter at nickel cornerback and as a potential starter at slot receiver. He is listed as a co-starter there with fellow senior DeAndre Lane (Catonsville).
Though Likely didn't touch the ball on offense against Durkin's defense in a 28-0 loss to Michigan last season, the new Maryland coach knew what he was getting after watching film.
Likely didn't even have to ask Durkin for an expanded role.
"He told me. It was more of a 'You're doing this'," Likely recalled with a laugh Wednesday.
His reaction?
"All right, cool," Likely said.
Offensive coordinator Walt Belt said he plans to give Likely a package of about 15 to 20 plays each week that might involve him playing offense. Bell said what makes the transition from defense to offense – as well as being used on special teams – is Likely's ability to learn the entire offense.
"He's not your typical guy you just throw over there," Bell said Wednesday. "He really knows the offense. It's not like one of those deals where he comes in and he's got his six or seven plays. If he wanted to, as much as conditioning and our head football coach would allow, he can really just go play [slot receiver]. He knows it that well."
Defensive coordinator Andy Buh doesn't seem to mind Likely – arguably his most versatile defender – going over and playing offense. Though the addition of junior college transfer J.C. Jackson has allowed Buh to move Likely from one side to the other, Buh doesn't have much of a choice when considering Likely's playmaking abilities.
"Will Likely is a talent, obviously with the ball in his hands, he's very dynamic," Buh said Wednesday. "What he gives to us defensively is obviously his athleticism and his ability to make quick decisions out on the field, which makes him a playmaker. We don't limit anything he can do, we just want to put him in situations where we can utilize him the best."
