Maryland’s defensive line could be considered the best unit on the defense. The team returns many key players, has young guys that could be ready, and is bringing in two transfers. Let’s see what we can expect from this unit.
The Transfers:
Henry Chibueze: The newest Terp will bring some depth at defensive tackle. The Liberty transfer recorded 18 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in 2021. Chibueze was expected to start for the Flames this year. Instead, he’ll be at Maryland and hopefully will be a big part of Maryland’s rotation. Maryland will need to replace Ami Finau in the starting rotation for the 2023 season where the northern Virginia native can step in, but his addition solidifies the interior defensive line for the upcoming season. Chibueze, a former offensive lineman, has two years to play two.
Quashon Fuller: Fuller committed to Maryland a few days before Chibueze made his announcement. The former four-star transferred from Florida State. In 17 games played for the Seminoles, Fuller recorded 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack. Coming in as a defensive end, he’ll battle for the vacant starting job that was held by Sam Okuayinonu last year. The former four-star prospect had a strong rapport with head coach Mike Locksley to help the Terps reel him in out of the portal and he arrives in College Park with the traits and frame to make an instant impact. Now it's about putting it all together as the Terps look to solidify the defensive end spot under defensive coordinator and line coach Brian Williams. Fuller has three years to play three.
The Nose Tackles:
Ami Finau: One of the leaders on the defensive line, Finau decided to come back for one more season. The former JUCO product has been a starter at nose tackle for the past two seasons, despite battling injuries last fall. Still, Finau has started in 17 of his 18 games thus far in College Park and was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention following the 2021 season. Going into his last season of college, Finau could be considered one of the best interior defensive linemen in the Big Ten as he'll be a big piece in the Terps' run defense.
Anthony “Tank” Booker: Booker is heading into his fourth season as a Terp. While he did appear in ten games last year, he only recorded nine tackles. This year Booker will have to fight for the backup nose tackle spot with Chibueze and Isaac Bunyun. It’s time for him to prove himself on the field.
Isaac Bunyun: Bunyun might be the Terps’ latest walk-on success story. He appeared in ten games last year and recorded six tackles. Heading into his third year at Maryland, Bunyun has a chance to win the backup job behind Finau. While he will be in a fight with Chibueze and Booker, don’t count him out just yet.
The Defensive Tackles:
Mosiah Nasili-Kite: Kite is one of Maryland’s best players on the entire defense. His decision to return over going to the NFL was huge for the Terps. Like Finau, Kite battled foot injuries for nearly the entirety of the 2021 season yet finished second on the team in tackles for loss with seven and third in sacks with four. The former Washington product rehabbed his nagging foot injury through spring ball to propel him to full strength heading into August. Now, he'll have a chance to flash NFL potential and could finish with a spot on the All-Big Ten team at the end of 2022.
Taize Johnson: Johnson burned his redshirt last year after appearing in ten games and recording eight tackles. The former St. Johns's product has ability but needs to get stronger to get by Big Ten offensive linemen and following the departures of Andre Porter and Almosse Titi, Johnson should find increased playing time in his second season.
Tommy Akingbesote: Akingbesote also had his redshirt burned after he appeared in seven games and recorded three tackles. Akingbesote was considered a raw prospect that has a high ceiling when he signed with the Terps but like Taizse, has an opportunity to step into available playing time. After a full year of strength and conditioning under Ryan Davis, Akingbesote has reframed his body while maintaining his quickness. Heading into his second season, he has a chance to be the top backup behind Kite and Akingbesote could hear his name called more frequently.
Austin Fontaine: Fontaine has had it rough the past few years. After switching from defense to offense during his redshirt freshman year, he was expected to be a starter in 2020. However, Fontaine opted out of the season due to health reasons before later rejoining the team. He hasn’t been able to get back up to where he once was and played tight end in 2021, but now, Fontaine is back on the defensive line for his senior year at Maryland. He's added the size back to his frame to become a factor in the rotation. Nonetheless, Fontaine will become a fan favorite after his journey back onto the field with Maryland fans rooting for him.
The Ends:
Greg Rose: Rose has gone from a former Walk-on to a major part of Maryland’s defense. His play against Illinois was one of the main reasons why Maryland won the game. Rose had back-to-back sacks late in the fourth quarter that helped set up the Terps’ game-winning field goal. He and Fuller will battle for the starting defensive job in 2022. Even if Rose doesn’t win the job, expect to see him on the field often.
Tyler Baylor: Baylor signed with Maryland in 2018 and is heading into his senior year with the team. After spending 2020 at tight end, he moved back to the defensive line last year and played in every game. With Rose most likely being the starter at end, Baylor will be in a fight to win the backup job behind him. The former Good Counsel product can fill in as a JACK linebacker as the Terps will look to build their pass-rush this fall, but the veteran is expected to become a staple in the rotation.
Riyad Wilmot: Wilmot, a former three-star prospect out of St. Thomas Aquinas, enters year three of his Maryland career with likely his first chance to put it all together and flash on the field. The former St. Thomas Aquinas product redshirted in 2020 before appearing in nine games in 2021. Wilmot was considered a raw, but athletic prospect out of high school and showed signs of burst to develop into a reliable edge rusher. Heading into 2022, Wilmot will battle Baylor and Fuller for playing time as a defensive end.
Zion Shockley: Shockley was one of three St. Francis players that signed with Maryland in 2021. He redshirted last year after appearing in three games and recorded a single tackle. He might still be a year away from making an impact on the field, but he has the length to find time.
This is also where Fuller will line up once he's in College Park. While he has the frame to also take snaps as a JACK linebacker, the defensive end spot remains open and could be Fuller's for the taking
The Freshman:
Daniel Owens: There’s a reason the Terps only took one defensive lineman in the 2022 class. With all the depth at defensive end, Owens’ only worry is learning from the veterans and getting better as a player. He’ll most likely not be a factor in his first year as a Terp with Maryland looking to develop long-term depth in the trenches. However, Owens is someone that could develop into a reliable starting defensive end for Maryland. He's added nearly twenty pounds to his frame since signing day and has the mindset and work ethic to become a contributor down the line.
Verdict: Maryland’s defensive line has a combination of experience and young talent. If the defense is going anyway this year, it will be because of this unit. If these players can play up to their potential, the Terps’ defensive line will be one of the best in the Big Ten.
Up Next: We move from the defensive line to the offensive line.