Though the Maryland Terrapins' defense didn't post stellar numbers last year -- much of which had to do with the tough draw it was given in the form of lopsided time of possession totals and short fields -- the unit still had solid contributors who enjoyed productive careers in College Park, Md.
Junior linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. now carries the torch as a veteran leader of a defense that had quite a few players either graduate or move onto the NFL. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (13.5 sacks last year) is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Safety Sean Davis (three interceptions) is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson (6.5 sacks) is a Seattle Seahawk, while defensive backs Anthony Nixon (three picks) and A.J. Hendy (48 tackles) are also gone.
But Maryland returns Carter, the team's leading tackler last year (103 total tackles, including 14 for loss). He played in all 13 of the Terps' games as a redshirt freshman in 2014, but his production spiked last year, as he became a focal point of the defense. He starts this year on the Butkus Award Watch List, an award given to the nation's top linebacker.
