Fall Camp Preview: Linebackers

Graduated: None

Returning: Isaiah Davis, Jermaine Carter Jr., Shane Cockerille, Antoine Brooks, Nnamdi Eguaba, Steve Baca, Jalen Brooks, Brett Shepherd, Matt Gillespie

Incoming: Ayinde Eley, Nick Underwood (Redshirt sophomore JUCO transfer)

Despite Maryland’s two leading tacklers last season coming from the linebacking corps, it was a position that left a lot to be desired for much of the year in College Park. Jermaine Carter Jr. (110) and Shane Cockerille (108) each surpassed the century mark for tackles, but neither showed the playmaking ability to take the Terps defense to the next level so that it could stop some of the more powerful offenses in the Big Ten.

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Head coach D.J. Durkin likes to play five defensive backs as much as he can, which puts a lot of responsibility on the two linebackers out on the field. But luckily for Maryland, one of those linebackers is Carter, who besides leading the team in total tackles also tallied nine tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception last season.

Carter had a very strong spring and is looking slimmer, stronger and faster heading into fall camp. Projected as one of the nation’s best linebackers in 2017, he has been named to the preseason Butkus Award watch list for the second straight year, and also the Bednarik Award watch list.

Unlike last season when the Terps had very little depth at the position, there are a few underclassmen linebackers that could be ready to make a name for themselves in College Park. Redshirt sophomore Nick Underwood and sophomore Antoine Brooks are two names to watch as potential breakout candidates on Maryland’s defense in 2017.

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A JUCO transfer, Underwood was an early enrollee and had a strong spring that had his teammates and coaches raving about his ability and football IQ. Brooks also had a nice spring and made an incredible play in the spring game by sprawling out, full-extension to make an interception. He did so while running down field with a wide receiver, which is an indication of what many have already pegged him as at the college level, a safety-linebacker hybrid. Brooks will likely be an in-the-box safety for the Terps on most occasions, and should see plenty of playing time if he continues to make plays like that through fall camp in the season.

Top Storyline:

Will Shane Cockerille play for the Terps in 2017, and if not, who will step up to fill the void?

Carter and Cockerille weren’t the most effective combination in 2016, but it appears only half that duo might play a significant role for Maryland’s defense this year.

Cockerille has been suspended for undisclosed reasons since just before Maryland’s 36-30 loss to Boston College in the Quick Lane Bowl. Cockerille missed all of spring ball as he continued to deal with his off-the-field issues. He has been permitted to practice with the team in fall camp but has not yet been cleared of his suspension, according to recent comments made by Durkin. Whether or not Cockerille will play at all for Maryland this season seems up in the air at this point, but getting back on the field with the team seems like a good sign.

If Cockerille is not available in 2017, who’s the next man up? Fall camp will go a long way in sorting that out, but Underwood is a strong candidate, along with senior Jalen Brooks and sophomore Isaiah Davis.

Prediction:

Antoine Brooks has major impact on Maryland’s defense and recruiting. We’ve already touched on how Brooks is slightly different from most of the other linebackers on the Terps roster. His ability to run and cover for someone his size, make him a versatile and dangerous threat on the football field, as well as a fun gadget for Durkin and defensive coordinator Andy Buh to use.

Not only will Brooks help Maryland’s defense be more diverse and dynamic in 2017, his inception of virtually a new position in the Terps’ defensive scheme should help recruiting similar athletes to College Park.

In-the-box safeties are becoming more heavily used throughout football to utilize special athletes that can run and cover like defensive backs but hit and stuff the run like a linebacker. There aren’t too many prospects out there that fit that mold, but when there are, they usually get a pretty high rating and are heavily recruited by major programs. Displaying the use of this position in Maryland’s scheme can help the Terps recruit players of this caliber for years to come.

Brooks is also a local product who can play a significant role in Maryland’s DMV-to-UMD movement by recruiting top talent from the area to College Park.