Tony Logan is a reserve freshman wide receiver with the Terps, but recently, with Jordan Steffy out with a thumb injury, Logan has gotten a chance to play quarterback with the scout offense. Logan played quarterback for Piscataway High School in New Jersey, but was heavily recruited as a wide receiver partly due to his size (5-10, 180 pounds) and mainly because of his natural athleticism. Logan redshirted last season, but this year hopes to play his way onto the field and showcase some of his skills. We sat down with Logan for our first in a weekly series of informal chats with some lesser-known Terps.
Terrapin Trail: So, what made you want to come to Maryland in the first place?
Tony Logan: I thought it was a good situation for athletics and academics. I thought it was a good situation for my family as well. I’m from Jersey, so it’s only a three-hour drive away, so they can come see me. And I thought it was a good chance to play for a pretty good school.
TT: You played quarterback in high school. When were you first approached about making the switch to wide receiver?
TL: It was actually before I ever came here. I was always told that I was just a great athlete. I always played multiple positions, so when they told me they wanted me to play receiver I wasn’t surprised. I was actually excited about it because that’s actually what I thought I was gonna end up playing with my height.
TT: Which position do you like playing better: quarterback or wide receiver?
TL: I think I like playing receiver better now, but I also really like playing quarterback. I played it my whole life, and I think it’s a good position because you’re always in control and you always get the ball in your hand and your making great decisions. I think it’s about 50-50. I think if I was asked to play quarterback, I wouldn’t turn it down.
TT: Have you gotten the chance to play as the scout team quarterback?
TL: Yeah, I’ve been playing quarterback a lot this week. I’ve been doing some drills and the quarterbacks and coaches have been like “Wow.” I’ve been doing real well. I haven’t really been coached that much lately or been playing it, but I’m just a natural quarterback. I think I’m giving the defense a good look for [Middle Tennessee State]. They do a little bit of option and things like that, so I think I’ve been helping them out pretty good.
TT: Are you enjoying your time under center?
TL: Yeah, I’m enjoying it. It reminds me of how things used to be. It’s real comfortable and relaxing. I feel at home.
TT: What are your strengths as a wide receiver?
TL: Making the big play after a catch. I feel like my open field ability to make people miss is one of my definite strengths. Being a shorter guy, being able to do things like that as an outside receiver is really good.
TT: Go ahead and look through your crystal ball. What impact do you see yourself having this season?
TL: I think this year I could have some impact maybe doing some option type plays or maybe on special teams, maybe return some kicks, just helping the team in any way shape or form. I feel I’m very versatile, I can play almost any position, and I think that helps me.
TT: Play scout for me – as a wide receiver and someone who has played quarterback in the past, which of the three quarterbacks do you think throws the most catchable ball?
TL: I would say they all have their different strengths as a quarterback. With Jordan, I think he throws the ball and puts it where it needs to be on the in routes and things like that. Chris can throw a good deep ball – he throws a real good deep ball. Josh throws the ball real accurate, real hard, and he gets it there real fast before the defense can make a play. So I feel like they all have their strengths.
TT: Your profile on the team website says you like playing video games. If you could be one video game character, who would it be?
TL: Oh…I think it would probably be Mario in Super Smash Bros. Me and my receiver teammates, we play that game a lot. It’s real fun for us in our off time.
TT: So if you’re Mario, who would be Luigi?
TL: Probably Isaiah [Williams].
TT: You come from a football family. You’re father ran for Nebraska and your cousin is a corner at Boise State. How important is it to you to carry on that legacy?
TL: I feel like it’s important. I feel like I’m better than both of them. My cousin, he taught me everything I know, and my dad also. I feel like they had the biggest impact on my college athletic career. I talk to my cousin, Kyle, almost everyday about football and stuff. He has high hopes to go to the NFL and he’s probably going to do that this year. It’s real important to me to give them my all and do the best I can.
TT: Alright, thanks Tony.
TL: Alright, nice talking to you.