By: Will Beach
With players like the Gaddy brothers whose combined high school stats left them with 45 sacks and over 80 tackles. Some would believe Maryland should have been able to get more out of their defensive line, especially with multiple four and even some five-star rated players. With a new set of four-star caliber defensive line talent coming in 2021, the question is will these players be able to hold up under the pressure or will they collapse under the lights of the Big Ten?
Let’s take a look at some of the Terps linemen since joining the Big Ten in 2014 and how they have fared-
Keiron Howard- Enrolled in 2015
Coming out of Potomac HS as a three-star, Howard recorded 52 tackles and 7.5 sacks during his high school days. He came to Maryland and redshirted his freshman year. He came back and was very successful throughout his redshirt freshman year through his junior year. Which leaves us with his senior season, where he racked up 20 tackles with 9 of which were solo. As well as 1.5 sacks, and a blocked field goal. Howard had a good role for the Terps during in his time and played to expectation.
Breyon Gaddy- Enrolled in 2017
Coming out of high school Breyon was a 4-star recruit. Between his junior and senior seasons, he totaled 68 tackles. During his freshman year with the Terps he didn’t appear in a single game due to being redshirted. As a sophomore, he appeared in 11 out of 12 games recording 6 tackles. He elected to transfer in December of 2020, he has not found a new home yet.
Brandon Gaddy- Enrolled in 2017
The twin of Breyon, Brandon was the less heralded recruit, a 3-star. He was still productive during high school, with 23 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a senior. He did not see a game until his sophomore year where he played every game, mainly on special teams. During his first season
on the field as a Terp he recorded two tackles against Rutgers. Like his brother, he elected to transfer in December of 2020, he has not found a new home yet.
Lawtez rogers- Enrolled in 2017
Rodgers was a three-star recruit with high hopes from the staff. His redshirt freshman year, he recorded his first career sack taking down Ohio States’ Dwayne Haskins. As a sophomore, he played in 10 out of the 12 games where he posted 13 tackles, two sacks, as well as two pass breakups. He is hoping to carve out a bigger role in 2020.
B’Ahmad Miller- Enrolled in 2017
Coming out of high school Miller was a three-star recruit. He has only appeared in a total of five games during his career at Maryland. Miller is looking to find a role in the crowded group of defensive lineman 2020.
Austin Fontaine- Enrolled in 2018
Austin Fontaine was a highly touted four-star recruit from Dematha. He appeared in two late season games his freshman year until he was injured. After hiring Mike Locksley, the coaching staff determined that Fontaine would have a better chance at playing time as a guard. The former Stag saw the field plenty at his position last year.
Anthony Booker- Enrolled in 2019
Coming out of high school Booker was a consensus 3 star. As a sophomore in high school, he racked up 40 tackles and 3.5 sacks. During his first year at Maryland, Booker appeared in three games where he tallied three tackles, two of which were solo, and a tackle for loss. Looking for Booker to earn more reps in 2020.
Sam Okuayinonu- Enrolled in 2019
Rated the 6th best JUCO SDE where he dropped a total of 62 tackles with 17.5 sacks and one forced fumble. As a junior, he appeared in 11/12 games only missing the game against #1 Ohio State. Tallied 31 tackles (18 solos) and 4.5 tackles for loss for 13 yards with one sack. The Lackawanna product will continue to have a prominent role during the next season.
Riyad Wilmot( 3 star)
Ami Finau JUCO (3 star)
Mosiah Nasili-kite JUCO (3 star)
Almosse Titi JUCO(3 star)
Tre Smith (3 star)
Adam Mclean-enrolled in 2016
Coming out of Quince Orchard Mclean was a four-star recruit. During his junior year he recorded 47 tackles and 7 sacks with the Cougars. He made his collegiate debut his freshman year against Howard. His most recognized season was his junior year where he started in 11 games recording 36 tackles and one sack. Until his injury caused him to miss the game against Minnesota. He left the program for non-football reasons prior to the 2019 season.
Cam Spence-enrolled in 2017
Coming out of high school as a four-star recruit, the Terps had high hopes for Spence. Unfortunately, injury caused Spence to call it a career before last season. Cam is still involved with Locksley and co. in a non-football playing role.
This leaves us with a question does it really matter what star player you are or is it about conditioning, heart, culture. Is Maryland on the road to success with these 2020 and 2021 classes or just on the way to more heartbreak. Only time will tell.
Taz Johnson 4-star
Marcus Bradley 4-star
Zionangelo Shockley 3-star
Demeioun Robinson 4-star
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