The Terps’ defensive line returns all but one of its starters from last season.
After looking at Maryland’s special teams unit Monday, we continue our football position previews with the defensive line.
The Terps had one of the best defensive fronts in the Big Ten last year, in large part due to their defensive line. Maryland ranked sixth in the conference in rushing yards allowed per game (125.5) and fourth in sacks (34).
Maryland returned nearly every starter from last season’s defensive line, allowing the unit to build upon its success and anchor the Terps’ defense yet again this year.
Maryland’s 2023 defensive line depth
A unit led by veterans
Maryland’s defensive line will be led by its three pillars from last season: Quashon Fuller, Tommy Akingbesote and Jordan Phillips.
Fuller, a redshirt senior, posted the best stats of the three last year, totaling 25 tackles (18 solo), five tackles for loss and three sacks en route to an All-Big Ten honorable mention. He is also the most versatile of the trio, lining up all along the defensive line and dropping into coverage at times.
“Quashon is the type of guy, man, the larger the stage, the bigger the lights, the more he’ll show up,” defensive coordinator Brian Williams said after the first day of fall camp on July 31. “Looking for him to be more consistent with his fundamentals and technique and being able to match his athleticism and talent, but [I] really expect a lot of big things out of Quashon this year.”
Akingbesote, entering his fourth season with the program, is the longest-tenured Terp on the defensive line. He broke out last season, appearing in all 13 games for the first time in his career while posting 28 tackles (17 solo) and a sack.
Following an uneventful freshman campaign at Tennessee, Phillips — a redshirt sophomore — started in 10 of his 13 appearances, recording 28 tackles (14 solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss. He also won the Randy Starks Most Valuable Lineman Award at Maryland’s annual Red-White Spring Game this year after he led the Red team with six tackles.
“Jordan, he’s special,” Williams said. “His work ethic, his will to play hard [and] his will to be there for his teammates is unique. So, a guy like that, there is no ceiling, in my opinion. I think he can go as far as he wants to go as long as his mind and body will allow him to be at this pace.”
Alongside Maryland’s big three on the defensive line are senior Taizse Johnson and redshirt senior Isaac Bunyun. Each started in two games last season, combining for 28 tackles (19 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
“Taizse Johnson for us last year played all across the front,” Williams said. “He was kind of the guy that spelled guys, but he played a lot because he spelled guys at different positions. … And he’s really our best interior pass rusher. He created a lot of gaps and opportunities for some [other guys].”
With five of Maryland’s top six defensive linemen from last year returning, the playing time and rotation is relatively predictable.
Replacing Tre Colbert
Maryland is only losing two defensive linemen from last year’s team: Tre Colbert and Christian Teague.
While Teague appeared in all 13 games and totaled nine tackles (four solo) last season, Colbert is much more difficult to replace. As a graduate student, Colbert appeared in all 13 games, starting in six, and tallied 27 tackles (10 solo), three sacks and a forced fumble.
However, multiple Terps are ready to step up.
Sophomores Dillan Fontus and Lavon Johnson each posted five tackles — Johnson also recording a sack — last season in a combined 16 games and were three-star recruits coming out of high school.
“They have a lot of experience, so they’re ready to play,” Akingbesote said of Fontus and Johnson.
Dimitry Nicolas is the Terps’ highest-rated incoming freshman. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds, he was a three-star recruit and the No. 70-ranked defensive lineman in the class of 2024.
Johnson and Bunyun should also see expanded roles.
Consistency and production ring true among Maryland’s defensive line. With one more offseason of growth together, the unit should see another successful season.