Maryland Terrapins Defensive Players To Watch vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Maryland Terrapins defensive coordinator Brian Williams is entering his fifth year on staff in College Park, Maryland, and his third at his current position.
Maryland has improved its defense from 42nd to 16th in points and 43rd to 39th in yards allowed per game.
Here's who Maryland will likely lean on defensively when it plays No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus Saturday.
SAF Beau Brade
Beau Brade has everything you would want in a safety.
Brade roams around the back end of the Terrapins' secondary in coverage, holding an interception and three other pass break-ups to his credit. However, he also has the ability to drop down into the box to defend the run with a team-high 26 tackles.
Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord has only thrown 17 passes beyond 20 yards downfield, completing six of those throws for 276 yards and three touchdowns.
CB Tarheeb Still
It's up for debate whether or not, Tarheeb Still is the best cornerback on the Terrapins. This section is a challenge to him to see what he's got against Ohio State.
Still's tied for the conference lead with three interceptions, but that could be due to increased opportunities. He's been targeted 25 times by opposing quarterbacks, allowing 12 receptions for 164 receiving yards.
Still is probably tired of seeing Ohio State. In 2021, he was torched for 10 catches, 165 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets. Last year, he cleaned things up a bit, allowing three catches on six targets for 42 yards.
The Sicklerville, New Jersey, native will be assigned to either Harrison or Egbuka. Will he rise to the occasion or will he fold Saturday?
DE Quashon Fuller
Since being moved from the left to the right defensive end position, Quashon Fuller has come into his own.
Fuller has 10 tackles, two of which were sacks, while forcing a fumble in five games this season.
After combining for 47 snaps in the first two games of the year, Fuller has averaged 41 snaps per game in the previous three. Fuller has recorded a sack in each of the last two games and could present a problem for Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons.
