- Danny Oquendo
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Danny Oquendo Maryland Terrapins — No. 17 Wide receiver Class of 2009 Major: Criminology and criminal justice Date of birth: July 8, 1987 Place of birth: Hackensack, New Jersey Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) Career history High school: Hackensack H.S., Hackensack, NJ College(s):
- Maryland (2005–2008)
Career highlights and awards Stats at ESPN.com Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. (pronounced /oʊˈkɛndoʊ/) is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.
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Early years
Oquendo was born on July 8, 1987 in Hackensack, New Jersey to parents Daniel Oquendo, Sr. and Ana Garcia. He attended Hackensack High School where he was a three-year starter as a wide receiver and safety. As a junior he led the team in tackles and returned two punts and a kick for touchdowns. As a senior in 2004, he caught 45 passes for 843 yards and nine touchdowns, returned seven punts for 125 yards, returned 12 kickoffs for 293 yards, made two quarterback sacks, three interceptions, and 81 tackles including 53 solo. As a junior he was named an all-league and all-county player. As a senior he was named an all-league, all-county, and PrepStar All-East Region player. He was also posted the fourth-best time (7.62) in the high hurdles in the nation.[1]
He was recruited by Maryland, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Purdue, and Rutgers.[1]
College career
In 2005, he saw action in all 11 games as a true freshman including one start. Oquendo posted three receptions for 20 yards. On special teams, he posted ten tackles and two fumble recoveries. In 2006, he played in all 13 games including 5 starts, mostly at slot receiver. He caught 34 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns, and was the second-highest receiving yards leader on the team. He returned 12 punts for 218 yards.[1] In 2007, after starting quarterback Jordan Steffy was injured mid-season, he briefly participated in an open tryout for a reservist to provide more depth at the position.[2] Oquendo played in the first nine games and made 19 receptions before suffering a season-ending knee injury during practice.[1]
In 2008, Oquendo saw action in all 13 games including five starts. He made 29 receptions for 371 yards including two touchdowns and a 50-yard long.[3] Due to his sure hands, Oquendo was quarterback Chris Turner's preferred third-down receiver,[4] and caught 13 passes on third downs, all of which gained enough yardage to convert to a first down. Star Z receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said, "I tell people [Turner] doesn’t look my way on third down, he's looking for Danny ... I’ve been telling people all year. I even told a [defensive back] one time in the game 'He ain't coming my way.' Danny’s the man."[5] On special teams, Oquendo returned 20 punt returns for 104 yards when he was utilized in that position for his reliable hands rather than an elusive returning ability.[3][6] Oquendo also recorded one completion on two trick play pass attempts for a 43-yard touchdown.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d Player Bio: Danny Oquendo, University of Maryland, retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ Who wants to be Terps' quarterback, The Washington Post, October 3, 2007.
- ^ a b c 2008 Cumulative Season Statistics, University of Maryland, retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ "No slowing down for Terps' 'Mr. Dependable'", The Baltimore Sun, October 25, 2008.
- ^ Patrick Stevens, Some praise for Oquendo, The Washington Times, 28 December 2008, retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ Patrick Stevens, Maryland rewind '08: Returners, The Washington Times, 8 January 2009, retrieved 14 January 2009.
External links
- Quietly, Terps' Oquendo makes a resounding impact, The Washington Post, November 21, 2008.
- 'Tough guys' on the Terps, The Baltimore Sun, September 2008.
- Oquendo uses speed as hurdler on track team, The Diamondback, April 19, 2007.
- 'The New Breed' has more confidence than experience, The Herald-Mail, September 8, 2006.
- Rutgers' Resurgence Is Like Day, Knights, The Washington Post, September 29, 2007.
- 'Sack comes back, The Record, October 23, 2004.
- Terps WR status for Wake still unclear, The America's Intelligence Wire, Financial Times, November 22, 2006.
- Looking for catches before happy returns, The Washington Times, August 12, 2008.
Categories:- American football wide receivers
- Maryland Terrapins football players
- Players of American football from New Jersey
- People from Hackensack, New Jersey
- 1988 births
- Living people
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