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Today we profile a player who played in ten games last season. If you knew that without looking it up, you are lying.
Avery Thompson, Sophomore, Outside Linebacker, #37
via grfx.cstv.com
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 215
Twitter: @MarylandTerpAT
Collegiate Stats: One tackle
High School Stats: 75 tackles (40 assisted), two and a half for a loss, five sacks, two interceptions (one for a touchdown), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
Recruiting Ratings: Three stars by 24/7 (#37 in Va., #119 OLB), two stars by Rivals, Scout (#141 OLB) and ESPN (#49 in Va., #56 ILB)
High School: Grassfield
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
High School Highlights:
How'd He Get to College Park?
Thompson was named honorable mention all-state after a senior year in which he helped Grassfield to a 10-2 record, but his junior season was even more impressive, at least statistically. He had 113 tackles (nine for a loss) that year, making second team all-district.
Thompson comes from a military family - his dad is a lieutenant colonel in the Army and is currently stationed in South Korea - and he was born in Tacoma, Washington. He was one of the top linebacker prospects in Virginia as a high school senior, but Maryland was his only offer. He also received interest from a handful of major programs, including Penn State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Thompson was recruited by Edsall while at UConn, and his familiarity with the coach was a key factor in his recruitment.
Last year, as a true freshman, he was a surprise presence on the field for the Terps, playing in ten games (mostly on special teams). He had one tackle - against North Carolina State.
Nickname:
"Water Seal"
Career Highlight:
Tackling Tobias Palmer on a kick return last year.
Dream Season:
He's got some serious talent in front of him, so killing it on special teams seems to be the best-case scenario.
2013 Prospectus:
In last year's profile, we figured that with Kenny Tate and Alex Twine at top of the depth chart, it would be between Thompson, Lukas Foreman and Stefan Houston as the third player at SAM. After the two latter players left the program, it was Thompson as the sole gladiator left, playing in ten games (mostly on special teams, but with some spot appearances at linebacker).
This year, the situation looks exactly the same for Thompson. Twine is right in front of him at SAM, with a new converted safety (Matt Robinson) on top of the depth chart. While Thompson has the third slot locked up on the depth chart, there is some competition in incoming freshmen Cavon Walker and Jalen Brooks. After contributing last year, it's more than likely Thompson will be the third option, coming off the bench to spell Robinson and Twine (or in case of injury), but we'll probably see him most at special teams, where he performed admirably last season.
Up Next:
Our next player shares his name with an English midfielder who may gain eligibility to play for the USA soon.
curterp is one out of the lead.
Standings:
ClickClack62 - 6
curterp - 5
Maryland1206 - 4
Scaletta - 3
Redturtle - 2
802Terp - 2
thirstyturtlelives - 2
UATerp - 2
proudterp - 1
terpsfinish - 1
KHemer - 1
apgibson24 - 1
Seaville81 -1
royvan - 1
noam23 - 1