Terrell is a dominating drive blocker with the versatility to play both guard and tackle. He comes from a football-oriented family, as his father played linebacker at Texas Southern. The four-year starter worked hard to become one of the elite linemen in the nation.

The 2004 team captain had a unique pregame ritual in that he did not come out with the rest of the captains for the coin flip, but instead rallied the rest of the team with a pregame pep talk in the stadium tunnel. Terrell met with the coaches in early March of 2004, prior to the start of spring practice, and agreed to move to strong tackle for his senior year to shore up the offensive line. He had to polish his technique, particularly in pass protection, but was dominant as always during the season, having dropped nearly 15 pounds during the summer to give himself more mobility on the edge.

Terrell was a two-year starter at LaMarque (Texas) High, where he graded 95 percent for blocking consistency en route to being named all-state and team MVP as a senior. The three-year letterman earned all-state and all-district honors his senior year, when he had 95 knockdown blocks. He was also named the team's Most Valuable Player. LaMarque was 11-2 in 1999, losing in the state semifinals. The Cougars were 57-3 his four years there, including consecutive state titles in 1996-97. Terrell was an all-district and all-conference choice in basketball, where he was a three-year letterman and also lettered in track. He graduated with a 3.8 cumulative grade-point average and was a member of the Honor Roll all four years. He also served on the Peer Leadership Council.

Terrell redshirted in 2000 at New Mexico, starting 10 games at strongside guard the following year, as he posted 86 knockdowns. In 2002, Terrell was named the team's outstanding lineman, as he appeared in all but seven offensive plays, registering 139 knockdowns in the process. He added another 125 knockdowns at strongside guard in 2003, helping the team rank 16th in the nation in rushing. In his final campaign, he shifted to left tackle. While his production slipped a bit (104 knockdowns), he showed pro scouts that he could be capable of filling a variety of positions. In 51 games for the Lobos, Terrell registered an impressive 454 knockdown blocks during his illustrious career.

Terrell is an excellent athlete who is deceptively quick for someone his size. He plays with tremendous leverage and has done a good job of trimming weight as he came to UNM at more than 350 pounds. He boasts impressive numbers in the weight room as well: 455 bench, 385 incline press, 301 power clean, 585 squat.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a massive body, with a barrel chest, thick arms, wide hips, thick thighs and calves, and a good bubble … For a player his size, he has decent quickness out of his stance and shows enough explosion and power to be effective for the running game … Will consistently deliver a powerful punch and flash explosion off the line … Comes off the snap flashing explosion and is combative with his hands in attempts to lock on and steer … Best when working in-line, as he has good leg drive to get out in front on traps and pulls … At the interior position, he seems to be able to get out of his stance quicker, resulting in better explosion and power for the running game … Does a much better job of moving the defender off the ball when lining up at guard, where he can use his excellent power and explosion to clear out rush lanes better … The thing you notice on film is his ability to keep his feet on contact and clear out an area on the double move … As a guard, he showed the initial quickness to drive, steer and sustain … Shows a wide leg base and good balance in the short area … Will tend to fall off blocks when redirecting to the edge (short arms, lack of feet), but when planting inside, he can wheel his hips and control the defensive tackles … As a guard, he shows aggressive cut-blocking ability, decent knee bend, a strong and powerful hand punch and good hand placement … Seems to be much quicker to the inside cutoff position, but he can scoop to the outside when he stays at a good pad level … Keeps his feet and balance near the line, making good adjustments on the move for the short pull … When he hits you, you know it, as he has strong, powerful hands and gets very good placement when he snaps his hands off … Quick to recoil and reset, showing the ability to get underneath, lock on and steer … Has a lot of nastiness in his game when he comes to play … Not the type to lunge or overextend to make the play (except when working in space), letting defenders absorb into his body.

Negatives: Needs to get himself in better shape, as he has lots of softness around his midsection and shorter than ideal arms … Will never be confused for "Body Beautiful" and has had problems with his weight throughout his career … His wide, soft stomach makes it hard for him to get down in his stance properly … Has decent lateral movement for tackle, but lacks the foot speed to get to the edge to shut down the rush … While he possesses great body mass to anchor, he struggles vs. the edge rush … His wide waist prevents him from getting low enough in his pads and his feet seem to go dead when he has to get into the second level … Naturally strong, but when he plays too high in his stance, he loses some of his explosiveness … Adequate pass blocker as a tackle, as he will get high in his stance, causing defenders to walk him back … Best working near the line, as he has trouble pass blocking in space … When he gets too high in his stance, he pulls with marginal explosion on contact, relying more on his body to get in the way of the defender … In order to be successful here, Terrell needs to have a good path to get to his level two blocks … Is a good finisher if he locks on and takes smart angles (just lacks the foot speed) … Needs to play in a phone booth (stationary or short area) to be much more effective as he struggles in space vs. the edge rusher due to his body structure and poor playing speed.

AGILITY

Campus: 5.19 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided) … 5.31 40-yard dash (against the wind) … 445-pound bench press … 570-pound squat … 301-pound power clean … 24½-inch vertical jump … 7-foot-10 broad jump … Right-handed. Combine: 5.39 in the 40-yard dash … 3.11 20-yard dash … 1.9 10-yard dash … 4.75 20-yard shuttle … 8.17 three-cone drill … 24½-inch vertical jump … 7-foot-4 broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times … 31 3/8-inch arm length … 9¼-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended LaMarque (Texas) High, where he started on the offensive line as a junior and senior … Graded 95 percent for blocking consistency en route to being named all-state and team MVP as a senior … The three-year letterman earned all-state and all-district honors his senior year, when he had 95 knockdown blocks … Also named the team's Most Valuable Player … LaMarque was 11-2 in 1999, losing in the state semifinals … The Cougars were 57-3 his four years there, including consecutive state titles in 1996-97 … All-district and all-conference choice in basketball, where he was a three-year letterman … Also lettered in track … Graduated with a 3.8 cumulative grade-point average and was a member of the Honor Roll all four years … Served on the Peer Leadership Council.

PERSONAL

Communications major with a Management minor … Graduated in December 2004 … Is an intimidating, fiery player on game day, but very personable off the field … Wrote a column, "Inside The Trenches With Big C," for the Red Menace fan web site … Nickname is Big C … Son of Claude and Yvonne Terrell … Father played outside linebacker at Texas Southern in 1974 … Last name is pronounced TARE-ull … Became a proud father following spring practice when his son, Cade Elijah, was born on April 19, 2004 … Born Claude Edward Terrell on April 20, 1982 in Texas City, Texas … Resides in LaMarque, Texas. .