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One of the first things people notice when they encounter University of Maryland junior linebacker Adrian Moten is his smile.

Moten's picture in the Maryland media guide every year has had a smile. But during the team's annual media day Aug. 10, Moten looked considerably more serious as he analyzed what's at stake for the team this fall.

Moten, a Suitland native and Gwynn Park High School graduate, has been thrust into a leadership role this season as he and fellow junior Alex Wujciak are the only two returning linebackers to log significant playing time last season.

Moten understands that displaying leadership qualities means more than talking about them.

"I think as time went by my coaches have seen that I could be a leader," said Moten, who has put on more than 10 pounds of bulk since the start of last season. "But it means nothing yet because we haven't played any games. If we win games, me being a leader means a lot because that would show that I'm a good leader. I think the big thing for us now is winning games."

Maryland wrapped up the 2008 season by beating Nevada in the Humanitarian Bowl, giving the Terps their first bowl victory since 2006. But much of the year was up and down for Moten as it was for the entire team, which finished 8-5. Moten – the 2005 Gazette-Star Defensive Player of the Year – played in the first five games before a wrist injury forced him to miss three weeks.

Despite an inconsistent season, the team's media guide lists Moten as a "playmaker," and with good reason. Moten had two fumble recoveries, and on Sept. 20 he had a blocked punt against Eastern Michigan, the first for the program in two seasons.

Moten enters the season as the Terrapins' active leader in sacks with seven and had three pass breakups and four passes defended and has the versatility to play all three linebacker positions if needed.

"I'm excited for him," Terrapins linebackers' coach Al Seamonson. "I think he's got that sense of urgency that's making him come out as more of an influential, vocal, verbal and lead-by-example type of guy. That's a plus because we need a guy like that. Even though he's only a junior, that doesn't mean he can't be a captain of our team."

The statistics say more is needed from Moten as a strong side linebacker. He posted 24 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks last season. Seamonson said he was disappointed Moten did not push former Terrapin Moises Fokou last season for the starting job.

But Moten said this season could be different, as the program named Don Brown as its new defensive coordinator during the offseason.

Terrapins head coach Ralph Friedgen said Brown's defense will be more intense and pressure oriented, which Seamonson said could work well for Moten.

"He's got a lot of what coaches call football savvy," Seamonson said. "He's got good instincts, he knows how to set up an offensive tackle to beat him on his pass rush. He's pretty good with the technique that allows him to beat a bigger player with his feet and his quickness."

In the end, Moten knows that success will be defined in simple terms.

"They recruited me to be a big playmaker," he said. "It's hard to say how I can become a big playmaker. I know football, I know the game."

E-mail Terron Hampton at thampton@gazette.net.