Deshawn Stevens, center, runs through a play on the first day of spring practice for the University of Maine football team at Orono on Tuesday.

Kayon Whitaker runs through a drill with Jonathan Smith.

Nick Charlton, center, new head coach of the University of Maine football team, watches Derek Deoul punt.

Emanuel Patterson, 1, watches a play from the sideline.

Andre Miller, 10, prepares to run a play during the first day of spring practice. Miller had a coming out game in the national semifinals last year when he caught nine passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

Taji Lowe watches a play from the sideline. LOwe is wearing No. 12 this year, a number given to him by tight end Drew Belcher, a graduating senior.

Kayon Whitaker puts the pressure on quarterback Chris Feguson while running a play.

Earnest Edwards runs through a play during the first day of spring practice. “This is the first step to being great,” said Edwards. “We all want to be great. We don’t want to be average.”

Earnest Edwards pulls in a ball while running through a drill.

Deshawn Stevens watches a play from the sideline. Stevens led UMaine in 120 tackles last year.

Quarterback Chris Ferguson throws the ball during a drill. Ferguson will start his third year at quarterback.

Nick Charlton, new head coach of the University of Maine football team, talks to players.

ORONO, ME - MARCH 26: New defensive coach Mike Ryan watches players run through a play.

New offensive coach Andrew Dresner watches quarterback Chris Ferguson and Richard Carr run through a drill.

Nick Charlton, center, the new head coach of the University of Maine football team, talks to players after the first day of spring practice.