MM 6.3: Ralph Friedgen and Vernon Davis nominated for College Football Hall of Fame

This is a Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.

By Rachel Lawrence

Former Maryland football head coach Ralph Friedgen and former Terps tight end Vernon Davis were listed on the 2026 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Friedgen coached Maryland from 2001-10 and ranks third in school history in career wins with a record of 75-50. During his first season as head coach, he led the Terps to their first ACC victory in 16 years. In that same season, Friedgen was named ACC Coach of the Year. He was recognized again in 2010.

Davis starred under Friedgen from 2003-05. During his time at Maryland, he hauled in 83 receptions for 1,371 yards while earning first team All-American and All-ACC honors in 2005. After his time at Maryland, Davis declared for the 2006 NFL Draft and was selected No. 6 overall by the San Francisco 49ers. He earned NFL All-Pro second team honors in 2013, received Pro Bowl nods in 2009 and 2013 and won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in 2016.

In other news

Former men’s lacrosse Terps opened the Premier Lacrosse League season with a bang. Ajax Zappitello tied for a league-leading three caused turnovers, Logan Wisnauskas’ four points were tied for third-highest, and Brett Makar and Luke Wierman each recorded seven ground balls, third-most in the league.

After a short-lived stint in professional football, Maryland men’s lacrosse alumnus Jared Bernhardt is returning to lacrosse. Bernhardt — who ranks second all-time for the Terps in goals and points — will join the Denver Outlaws, with his professional lacrosse debut likely coming this weekend.

Maryland’s women’s tennis team was ranked No. 25 in the Tennis Recruiting Network’s most recent Spring Recruiting Class Rankings.