Profiles in Terpage: A.J. Hendy

A.J. Hendy, Senior, Defensive Back, #19

Stats:

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 205

Twitter: @AJ_SelfMade

Collegiate Stats: 32 tackles, two for a loss, one interception, two recovered fumbles, one touchdown.

High School Stats (Senior Year): 30 tackles, five interceptions (three for touchdowns), 33 receptions for 592 yards and seven touchdowns, three punt returns for touchdowns

247sports composite Ratings: Four stars, 14th-best athlete in the nation, fifth-best player in Maryland

High School: Bowie High School (Md.)

Hometown: Bowie, Md.

High School Highlights:

How'd He Get to College Park?

Hendy was a standout athlete at Bowie as a state champion high jumper and played on offense, defense and special teams for the Bulldogs. His talented play earned him All-State recognition as well as offers from a number of high-D1 schools. Hendy considered Iowa, New Mexico, Virginia and NC State before ultimately siding with his hometown Terps. He was a part of the first recruiting class Randy Edsall brought in to College Park.

Hendy's career at Maryland got off to a hot start in his true freshman season. He earned the starting safety job by the final three games of the season, recorded 30 tackles and even scoring a pick six against NC State. His sophomore campaign was less noteworthy, as an injury and position change altered the season for Hendy. He missed four games with an ankle strain and Edsall moved him from safety to cornerback where his production dropped.

Edsall switched him back to safety his junior season. At his natural position, he had a standout year, starting in three games and recording 32 tackles with one interception to the house in the surprising blowout victory of West Virginia. Hendy also spent some time at nickel cornerback after the injuries to Dexter McDougle and Jeremiah Johnson forced Will Likely and Isaac Goins to the boundary.

Nickname:

AJ the Hendyman, have a problem? The Hendyman's got it covered

Career Highlight:

His entire game against West Virginia at M&T Bank Stadium. His interception for a touchdown and two fumble recoveries earned him The Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Dream Season:

Fights hard for the starting job and manages three interceptions, including one to the house.

2014 Prospectus:

Entering his senior season, Hendy is a favorite to compete for the starting job. Preferring strong safety and with Sean Davis playing so productively last season, Hendy is likely to serve as an important second-string member to the defense. I see a repeat of his junior season in terms of his bio reading "played in all 12 games, started three."

If Sean Davis goes down with an injury or doesn't perform as well as he did last season, Hendy will be the man. The once four-star recruit has talent on both sides of the ball, playing wideout in high school, making him a constant threat for an interception. His experience and leadership is priceless to the Terps, especially entering their first season in the challenging Big Ten Conference.

Hendy's versatility also allows him more playing time. Although he may not have performed up to his standards at corner in his sophomore season, he plays the dime-back in four corner sets. He would also be a valuable asset to the special teams unit defensively.

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Standings:

And umcp96 joins the herd and the six-way tie for third place.

timmyw3: 6

RedTurtle: 4

aubartolomei: 1

ClickClack62: 1

Terps_roc: 1

Daniel Hamilton: 1

testudbro: 1

umcp96: 1