Avalon (MD) had no problems taking down John Carroll (MD) on Friday night as the Black Knights dominated en route to a 40-9 win. Maryland three-star LB verbal Caleb Wheatland was all over the field as he registered five tackles, two tackles for loss and assisted on a sack as the 6-foot-2, 220-pound prospect was a consistent defensive force.
“Our defense played well. We stayed true to our job and we trust our teammates really well,” Wheatland told Inside the Black and Gold. “This year, my coaches help me a lot reading gaps more, how to align, and get the defense aligned as well whenever they need help. So I think coming here has made me a better player overall.” Wheatland found himself covering in space on frequent occasions on Friday night, but his comfort in coverage was evident and translated to success. “We work on it every day in practice. We always do 7-on-7, always tell our safeties and corners always stay disciplined, make sure that they know the down and distance. Like if it’s third down, make sure we play the sticks so we go over it every day.”
It’s a noticeable jump for Wheatland, the defensive leader for Avalon who helped the team bounce back after the week one loss to Bishop McNamara. “We feel a lot more confident, definitely progressing through the week. First week we had a tough loss but I think we came together as a team, trust each other more so our d-line allows us to play faster and they open up the gaps for us.”
While his senior year remains the primary focus, Wheatland is locked in with the Terps and was on campus for the season-opening win over West Virginia. “It was amazing. It was good to see finally a full stadium, it was technically my first game at Maryland to see how the fans were, how the culture really was and how the atmosphere was and I loved it. I got to talk to coach Locksley and coach Brawley and then all the coaches after the game.” While the staff reinforced the excitement for the ’22 class to arrive on campus, Wheatland reiterated what stuck out about the inside linebacker.
“I see that they know how to read very well and I think I’m getting there to where I can read the offense really well. I can tell they also play patient and when they get back in coverage when they need to and play the right coverage. I’ve been taking mental notes, watching the game, and stuff. I’m just mentally preparing so that I can be the best player that I can be.” While he’s pleased with his play so far through six games, the chance to watch Maryland’s linebackers has given Wheatland a chance to see how he can develop and prepare for when he arrives in College Park.
“Definitely the run fit, staying true to your job. Don’t try and do someone else’s job, just because sometimes I overread and try and help my teammates a lot so sometimes I need to stick to my job. I realized after watching the games, that everybody on defense trusts each other and when you have trust you can build up that chemistry.”
Wheatland is set to enroll early and is locked in with Maryland. He’ll return to campus on October 30 when Maryland hosts Indiana for homecoming weekend, but the three-star prospect already holds some tight relationships with current Maryland players.
“Zach Jackson, he’s the quarterback there. I played against him when I aws at Westfield and here so I’m pretty good buddies with him and Tai [Felton] and then Kai [Holloway], he went here so I know a couple of guys. And Chop [Robinson].”
Wheatland is rated a three-star prospect and an 86 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the nation's 99th-best linebacker.
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