During the offseason, Maryland was believed to have hired longtime SEC defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to lead its defense. That move likely would’ve moved the team from an odd to even-front base unit. But after Steele spurned the Terrapins for a higher-paying position at Miami (FL), head coach Michael Locksley opted to promote from within. Defensive line coach Brian Williams will retain much of the previous schemes run by Jon Hoke and Brian Stewart as he adds coordinator duties to his title, giving the defense some continuity while breathing new life into the unit’s style and play calling.
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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)
How much will experience help?
Much like the team’s offensive line, Maryland’s defensive line returns all three starters from the 2021 season. Not only will the starters be upper-classmen, many of the second and even third-stringers have extensive experience. That ought to be invaluable as they take on some of the best offensive lines in the country.
How much pass rush can be created?
While defensive linemen in an odd-front set typically aren’t relied upon to provide a significant pass rush, the best 3-down units are able to create an interior push. Last season, starters Greg China-Rose and Mosiah Nasili-Kite combined for 9 sacks, and the team will be hoping that number is even higher in 2022.
Will the run defense improve?
Maryland has struggled to stop the run in nearly every season since joining the Big Ten Conference. Last season, they ranked just 69th in the country against the run. They’ll be hoping that an experienced defensive line with plenty of size is able to make life difficult for opposing running backs.
Brian Williams – Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach
Williams has been a member of Locksley’s coaching staff since he arrived in College Park before the 2019 season, and has coached the defensive line for the past two seasons. He took over defensive play calling duties from former defensive coordinator Brian Stewart in the final two games of the 2021 season, and the unit’s performances were good enough to earn him a promotion to full-time coordinator this year.
Greg China-Rose (Redshirt Senior)
2022 Projection: Starter (5-technique)
2021 Statistics: 28 tackles (5.5 for loss), 5.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
China-Rose saw the field in every game for the Terrapins last season, starting seven games and finishing second on the team in sacks. His biggest moments came in the team’s road victory over Illinois, where he recorded two crucial sacks late in the game. He also had two sacks in their game against Penn State. His ability to provide a consistent pass-rush from the 5-technique position is invaluable, and allows him to be an every-down player.
I’ve projected China-Rose to serve as the team’s starting 5-technique this season. I also expect him to stay on the field when they employ nickel and dime packages, playing both his natural 5-technique position and even potentially the Wide-9 that we saw him and Sam Okuayinonu play on passing downs last year.
Mosiah Nasili-Kite (Redshirt Senior*)
2022 Projection: Starter (3-technique)
2021 Statistics: 37 tackles (7.0 for loss), 4.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Nasili-Kite has played in all but two games for Maryland since arriving in College Park before the 2020 season. He led the conference in sacks per game two years ago, and finished second on the team in tackles for loss last season. While the majority of Okuayinonu and China-Rose’s pressures came from the edge, he’s proven to be the team’s best pure interior pass rusher.
I’ve projected Nasili-Kite to serve as the team’s starting 3-technique this season. Like China-Rose, he’ll likely stay on the field in nickel and dime packages and provide an interior pass rushing threat.
Ami Finau (Redshirt Senior)
2022 Projection: Starter (Nose Tackle)
2021 Statistics: 40 tackles (5.0 for loss), 1.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Finau has never missed a game since arriving in College Park before the 2020 season, and started in all but one game in 2021. He was named as an honorable mention to the All-Big Ten team, and finished sixth on the team in tackles. His performance against Michigan State was exemplary, as he racked up 11 tackles and a sack.
I’ve projected Finau to serve as the team’s starting nose tackle this season. While he’ll typically come off of the field on passing downs, his large presence in the middle of the Terrapins’ defensive line will be crucial to improving their run defense in 2022.
Tyler Baylor (Redshirt Senior*)
2022 Projection: Second-Team (5-technique)
2021 Statistics: 9 tackles (2.0 for loss), 1.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Baylor saw the field in every game last season after transitioning back to the defensive line from tight end. His best game came against Penn State, where he recorded 3 tackles including his first career sack. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string 5-technique this season, and will also receive plenty of playing time on special teams.
Isaac Bunyun (Redshirt Sophomore*)
2022 Projection: Second-Team (3-technique)
2021 Statistics: 6 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
After redshirting during the 2020 season, Bunyun played in all but three of the team’s games last year. He recorded tackles in Maryland’s final three games, and broke up a pass against Rutgers. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string 3-technique this season, though he also has the ability to play nose tackle.
Anthony Booker, Jr. (Redshirt Junior*)
2022 Projection: Second-Team (Nose Tackle)
2021 Statistics: 9 tackles (1.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Booker, Jr. has appeared in all but four games for the Terrapins over the course of the last two seasons, and recorded multiple tackles in the team’s games against Kent State, Indiana, and Michigan last year. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string nose tackle this season.
Austin Fontaine (Redshirt Senior*)
2022 Projection: Third-Team (5-technique)
2021 Statistics: None
Fontaine will be transitioning back to the defensive line this season after spending the last three years on the offensive side of the ball. While he was expected to be the team’s starting center in 2021, struggles to keep his weight up forced him to be used as a blocking tight end. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string 5-technique this season, but he could push Baylor for second-string snaps with a good summer camp.
Tommy Akingbesote (Sophomore)
2022 Projection: Third-Team (3-technique)
2021 Statistics: 3 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Akingbesote played in seven games for the Terrapins last season after coming to College Park as a 4-star recruit from Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, MD. His tackles came in games against Indiana, Michigan, and Michigan State. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string 3-technique this season.
Henry Chibueze (Redshirt Senior*)
2022 Projection: Third-Team (Nose Tackle)
2021 Statistics (Liberty): 18 tackles (2.5 for loss), 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Chibueze comes to College Park after spending the previous four years at Liberty. He’s a local product, spending his high school career at Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge, VA, and was ranked as a 3-star recruit when he committed to the Flames. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string nose tackle this season, though he could push Booker, Jr. for second-string snaps with a good summer camp.
Riyad Wilmot (Redshirt Sophomore*)
2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (5-technique)
2021 Statistics: 4 tackles (0.5 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Wilmot saw the field in all but four games for the Terrapins last year, receiving his first collegiate action after redshirting during the 2020 season. His tackles came in games against Howard, Indiana, Kent State, and Michigan State. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth string 5-technique this season.
Taizse Johnson (Sophomore)
2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (Nose Tackle)
2021 Statistics: 8 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Johnson appeared in all but three games for Maryland as a true freshman last season, after coming to College Park as a 4-star recruit from St. John’s College High School in Washington, DC. He had multiple tackles in the team’s games against Illinois and Ohio State last year. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string nose tackle 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.