Maryland Football: Top 3 Terrapins prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

Maryland football defense could produce some stars

The Terrapins took a big hit on the defensive side of the ball during the offseason. They lost three of their top four leading tacklers from last season including safety Antoine Brooks’ 87 total tackles.

Their leading tackler will be their star will linebacker in Ayinde Eley, who was second on the team in total tackles with 79. He also accounted for four tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, four pass deflections, one interception and two fumble recoveries. He was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten member.

Last season, Eley played in 11 games and only missed one due to an injury. He was one of the most consistent and reliable defenders for the Terrapins last season in many phases of the game. He is a defender who can get into the backfield and make open-field tackles, put pressure on the quarterback, provide solid zone and man coverage and deliver the hard hits.

Eley has solid size at 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds to play outside linebacker at the next level. NFL coaches and scouts will look for him to test his reliability to play key plays as an all-around player. His draft stock will go up the more he can make the efficient plays in the run game and be either a pass rusher or a coverage player based on defensive schemes.

Eley has the talent and the potential to be considered for an All-Big Ten team selection regardless of the Terrapins’ performance in 2020.