In an odd-front defensive scheme like Maryland runs, the inside linebackers play the most important positions on the field. Responsible for both stopping the run and covering the middle of the field against short passes, their versatility and leadership are crucial to their unit’s success. Last year, the Terrapins’ revolving door on the weak side hurt them in numerous ways, and they’re hoping that the 2022 season brings more stability to the middle of their defense.
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Note: Players with an asterisk (*) next to their class will have an extra year of eligibility available to them following their senior season due to COVID-19.
The Big Three (Questions)
Can the starters stay healthy?
Losing Fa’Najae Gotay during the first game of last season was a huge blow to Maryland’s defense. Keeping he and Ruben Hyppolite II healthy and on the field will be critical to the team’s success.
Do any outside linebackers leak inside?
Newcomers like Jaishawn Barham and VanDarius Cowan will likely begin their Maryland careers on the outside, but both have the ability to play inside as well. Time will tell how defensive coordinator Brian Williams rotates them around his front seven.
Who steps up to provide depth?
Behind Hyppolite II and Gotay, there are a handful of experienced players who received extensive playing time last season to mixed results. Getting better performance from Ahmad McCullough and Gereme Spraggins, along with a solid debut from freshman Caleb Wheatland, would go a long way towards the position’s depth.
Lance Thompson – Inside Linebackers Coach
One of three new coaches on the defensive side of the ball, Thompson comes to College Park after spending three years on the coaching staff at Florida Atlantic. While he never overlapped with head coach Michael Locksley, he spent many years on Nick Saban’s staffs at both Alabama and LSU. Known as a top-notch recruiter, he’s been a member of a plethora of championship-winning coaching staffs throughout his career.
Ruben Hyppolite II (Junior*)
2022 Projection: Starter (MIKE)
2021 Statistics: 62 tackles (2.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass breakups
Hyppolite II has played in all but one game for the Terrapins since arriving in College Park before the 2020 season. He’s quickly locked down the strong-side inside linebacker position, and is the team’s top returning tackler. His performance in their bowl victory over Virginia Tech was excellent, leading the team with a career-high 12 tackles. Continuing to add muscle, he’s well equipped to play the traditional run-stuffing MIKE position in Williams’ odd-front scheme.
I’ve projected Hyppolite II to serve as the team’s starting strong-side inside linebacker this season. He’s one of the top players that NFL defensive scouts will have their eyes on for Maryland in 2022.
Fa’Najae Gotay (Redshirt Senior*)
2022 Projection: Starter (WILL)
2021 Statistics: None
Gotay started in Maryland’s first game of the 2021 season, but suffered a season-ending injury before even recording a tackle. He’d been set up to have a breakout year after playing in all but four games for the Terrapins over the course of the last two seasons. Two years ago, he tied for third on the team in tackles. His sideline-to-sideline speed and excellent tackling ability make him a perfect fit for the WILL position in Williams’ defensive scheme. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s starting weak-side inside linebacker this season.
Ahmad McCullough (Redshirt Senior*)
2022 Projection: Second-Team (MIKE)
2021 Statistics: 29 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 0 pass breakups
After Gotay’s injury, McCullough played in all but one game for the Terrapins last season. His best performance came in the team’s game against Minnesota, where he recorded a career-best 7 tackles. He’s played both outside and inside for Maryland during his career, but is likely a better fit on the inside. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string strong-side inside linebacker this season.
Gereme Spraggins (Senior*)
2022 Projection: Second-Team (WILL)
2021 Statistics: 25 tackles (1.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 1 pass breakup
Spraggins played in all but one game for Maryland in 2021, filling a rotational role after Gotay’s injury. Last season was his first in College Park after arriving from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS. Despite weighing in at 250 lbs. he has surprising speed and agility, allowing him to play either inside linebacker position. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string weak-side inside linebacker this season.
Kobi Thomas (Senior)
2022 Projection: Third-Team (MIKE)
2021 Statistics: 11 tackles (1.0 for loss), 1.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 0 pass breakups
Thomas has had a very impressive Maryland career after joining the team as a walk-on before the 2019 season. He didn’t see the field at all as a freshman, but has played in all but three games since then. Following a good performance against Kent State in 2021 where he recorded his lone sack for the year, he earned his first career start in the game against Iowa. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string strong-side inside linebacker this season.
Caleb Wheatland (Freshman)
2022 Projection: Third-Team (WILL)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A
Wheatland comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Westfield High School in Chantilly, VA. 247Sports ranked him as the 91st-best linebacker in the country, and the 27th-best player from the state of Virginia. He enrolled early and has been with the team since January, with the coaching staff raving about his abilities. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string weak-side inside linebacker this season, though he could work his way into a rotation if he continues to impress during summer camp.
Kellan Wyatt (Freshman)
2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (MIKE)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A
Wyatt comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, MD. 247Sports ranked him as the 99th-best linebacker in the country, and the 25th-best player from the state of Maryland. He was named as an All-MIAA Conference player last year. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string strong-side inside linebacker this season.
Kameron Blount (Redshirt Junior*)
2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (WILL)
2021 Statistics: 1 tackle (0.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 0 pass breakups
Blount transitioned back to the defensive side of the ball last season after spending 2020 as a tight end. He entered the transfer portal before last year, but elected to return to College Park. He saw the field in the team’s games against Howard and Virginia Tech. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string weak-side inside linebacker this season.
Ian Maloney (Redshirt Freshman)
2022 Projection: Fifth-Team (MIKE)
2021 Statistics (Louisville): Did Not Play
Maloney comes to College Park after spending his true freshman season as a walk-on at Louisville. He spent his high school career at Belle Vernon Area High School in Belle Vernon, PA. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fifth-string strong-side inside linebacker this season.
Jordan Cannon (Freshman)
2022 Projection: Fifth-Team (WILL)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A
Cannon comes to College Park as a 3-star walk-on from St. Mary’s Preparatory High School in West Bloomfield Township, MI. 247Sports ranked him as the 155th-best linebacker in the country, and the 43rd-best player from the state of Michigan. Despite scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, and others, he elected to join the Terrapins as a walk-on. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fifth-string weak-side inside linebacker this season.
Sean Greeley (Senior)
2022 Projection: Sixth-Team (MIKE)
2021 Statistics: 6 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 0 pass breakups
Greeley played in all but two games for the Terrapins last season, with the majority of his playing time coming on special teams. Over the course of the last three years, he’s seen the field in all but five games. This will be his final year in College Park after he walked onto the team in 2019. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s sixth-string strong-side inside linebacker this season, though he’ll likely continue to play a role on special teams.
Alex Simet (Senior)
2022 Projection: Sixth-Team (WILL)
2021 Statistics: None
Simet’s only game action last season came in the team’s bowl victory over Virginia Tech. He walked onto the team as a sophomore in 2020 after spending his high school career at Towson High School in Towson, MD. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s sixth-string weak-side inside linebacker this season.
David Brownlee (Redshirt Senior)
2022 Projection: Seventh-Team (MIKE)
2021 Statistics: Did Not Play
Brownlee has seen the field in seven games during his Maryland career after walking onto the team before the 2018 season. He spent his high school career at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, MD. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s seventh-string strong-side inside linebacker this season.
Josh Morris (Junior)
2022 Projection: Seventh-Team (WILL)
2021 Statistics: Did Not Play
Morris comes to College Park as a junior walk-on, having not played football since his high school career at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s seventh-string weak-side inside linebacker this season.
Raymon Brown, Jr. (Freshman)
2022 Projection: Eighth-Team (WILL)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A
Brown, Jr. comes to College Park as a walk-on after spending his high school career at Manchester High School in Midlothian, VA. He’s the brother of Maryland running back Ramon Brown, one of the team’s highest-ranked recruits in 2022. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s eighth-string weak-side inside linebacker this season.
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.