top of page

Maryland’s defense ready to lean on “leaders” in 2024

Writer's picture: Ahmed GhafirAhmed Ghafir


With seven starters back along the defensive side of the ball, co-defensive coordinator Brian Williams knows he has veterans he can lean on in 2024.


“We have some guys that are – it’s their time to lead.”


Fifth-year linebacker Ruben Hyppolite made the decision to return to anchor the defense, while Dante Trader Jr., Donnell Brown, Kellan Wyatt and Tommy Akingbesote are among the veterans that this experienced 2024 defense will turn to after adding to their toolbox through the offseason.


“They’ve been in the program for a few years now and have really made a contribution and now it’s their time to lead. It’s their time to really take the bull by the horn,” Brian Williams said at media day. “So guys like Tommy Akingbesote, Taizse Johnson, Kellen Wyatt, obviously Dante [Trader Jr.], Ruben Hyppolite, guys that have continued to really be to the forefront of our leadership and they know what it takes to get it done.”


The defensive line returns all three starters from last year as Tommy Akingbesote and Taizse Johnson lead the unit for the last time. Jordan Phillips has drawn buzz as a workhorse with a near-unmatched motor, but he isn’t the only one drawn positive reviews.


“The larger the stage, the bigger the lights, the more he’ll show up,” Williams said about defensive Quashon Fuller heading into his second season with the program.


But having the heart and soul of the defense right behind him only adds to the confidence in the front seven with Hyppolite leading hit unit into 2024.


“We take it on with confidence. We know what’s at stake and we know what our role is in the defense. A lot of people are depending on us so we approach it with confidence. We’re not backing down from a challenge. I’m confident we’ll come through,” Hyppolite added.


“Him really getting to express his leadership qualities and skills, I think it’s a plus for us on top of the fact that he’s playing a lot faster,” Williams added about his star linebacker. “He’s seeing things a lot better and he’s knowing how and when to utilize his speed. He’s gotten stronger in the weight room. So he’s playing with more power and it’s like a cheat code to have them right now for us.”


Kellan Wyatt will play an integral role in the pass-rush where Maryland returns arguably its deepest outside linebacker room of the Mike Locksley era, but for Donnell Brown, building off his first season in the Big Ten to become the next NFL draft pick out of College Park drove his offseason workouts.


“Last year I was just trying to get the playbook down, memorize what I needed to do in order for me to play…now that I know a good amount, I can actually try to insert myself in certain ways as far as making plays,” he added.


As for the secondary, Jalen Huskey fills a pivotal role where he’s capable of lining up opposite of team’s top receivers, while both Kevis Thomas and Perry Fisher have drawn confidence to step into impact roles this fall. It always helps to have rangy safety Dante Trader Jr. as the last line of the Terps’ defense, but the secondary will also have its big hitter in the unit despite Beau Brade shifting to the NFL this fall.


“He’s faced different obstacles and times where he’s needed to be resilient, where some guys have moved on and through the portal and whatnot, but Glen has stuck it through. You can see his maturity develop on and off the field,” Williams said of veteran Glen Miller.


While Miller’s big hits are back in College Park, he’ll do so in a different uniform than last season after switching his number from 13 to 1.


“I’ve just never been number one. It’s an opportunity a lot of people don’t get to have so I just want to make the most of it,” he added.


As head coach Mike Locksley added he’s “putting my defensive hat on” heading into fall camp with arguably his most talented defense since arriving back in College Park, Maryland knows they’ll be able to lean on their “leaders.”


“They’re at that stage where they know why it’s important to do the little things and they’re able to grandfather that into the rest of the team,” Williams added. “So we’re very fortunate to have those guys leading us in that in that regard.”

  • X
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

© 2022 created by WebJane Design with Wix.com

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND

bottom of page