Fall Camp Preview: Defensive Line
Graduated: Roman Braglio, Azubuike Ukandu
Returning: Melvin Keihn, Dion Goldbourne, Cavon Walker, Jesse Aniebonam, Andrew Isaacs, Mbi Tanyi, Kingsley Opara, Keiron Howard, Seun Oluwatimi, Adam McLean, Chandler Burkett, Oseh Saine, Brett Kulka
Incoming: Bryce Brand, Cam Spence, B’Ahmad Miller, Lawtez Rogers, Brandon Gaddy, Breyon Gaddy, Celso Rivera
Last season Maryland’s defensive line proved it could get after the passer but had a lot of difficulty stopping the run. The Terps allowed a 214.8 yards on the ground per game--good for 11th in the Big Ten--but did manage to record 37 sacks, which was tied for third-most in the conference.
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As one of the upperclassmen of the unit, Jesse Aniebonam led the way in 2016 with nine sacks and 14 tackles for loss--both team highs.Senior edge rusher Roman Braglio also contributed heavily last year as the only defensive lineman to start all 13 games for the Terps.
Entering fall camp for the 2017 season, Maryland’s defensive line returns most of its players from last year while also adding some serious talent through its latest recruiting class.
Aniebonam is looking to build off of his breakout junior campaign and appears poised for a huge senior season. Also,freshmen like Breyon Gaddy and Cam Spence could have a major impact right away, adding depth and size to the trenches for the Terps.
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As a unit, this group will have to be much better against the run to help Maryland have more control over games in 2017, but replicating last year’s pass rush results would likely be welcomed in College Park. However, that might only happen if another defensive end or BUCK linebacker emerges as a serious sack threat alongside Aniebonam.
Top Storyline:
How many freshmen crack the starting lineup?
There might not be a spot on the field in College Park that has more potential for freshmen to make an impact in their first season than the defensive line. A talented group of rookies combined with shaky past performances by returning players could open up some doors for early playing time for some freshmen defensive linemen in 2017.
As previously mentioned, Breyon Gaddy and Cam Spence have the best shot to start in their first year of college football. Both bring much-needed size and strength to the interior of Maryland’s defensive line and at the very least will push some older players on the roster to be at their best day in and day out throughout fall camp and the season.
It will be interesting to see if any freshmen emerge as starters right out of fall camp or if it takes them some time to develop, but the competition that’s brewing along the defensive line in College Park should be fun to watch and yield improved results.
Prediction:
Jesse Aniebonam will lead the Big Ten in sacks. None of the four Big Ten pass rushers that finished with as many or more sacks than Aniebonam last season have returned to school and three of them are currently playing in the NFL.
This leaves the door wide open for Aniebonam to become the conference’s sack king in 2017. Aniebonam should reap the benefits of another year in D.J. Durkin’s defense and more familiarity with the BUCK position. The Silver Spring, Md., native could potentially lead the nation in sacks and become a pretty high pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
Aniebonam’s results in 2017 could also be heavily influenced by the help he gets around him. It’s unclear yet who will step up as another pass rusher, but the Terps have some decent candidates to get the job done like Melvin Keihn and Cavon Walker. Some beef in the middle provided by the likes of Kingsley Opara, Breyon Gaddy and Cam Spence should also aid Aniebonam’s efforts and Maryland’s pass rush as a whole.