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As the offseason kicks into another gear, Testudo Times readers will be voting on the All-Randy Edsall team. All players who started multiple games under Randy Edsall (2011-14) at Maryland are eligible for consideration.
The defensive line is set, with a trio of Andre Monroe, A.J. Francis and Joe Vellano up front. We'll start the voting on the four players behind them today with the pass-coverage linebacker, commonly known as SAM in former defensive coordinator Brian Stewart's 3-4 scheme.
Feel free to vote using whichever criteria you please. After we finish with each position, we'll post the results of the full team. Stats are only from the specific position during games played under Edsall.
Jalen Brooks
Stats (one season): 21 tackles (12 solo), two pass deflections
The Georgia native started four games as a redshirt freshman in 2014 after Matt Robinson, Alex Twine and Cavon Walker all went down with injuries. His best game came against Penn State, when he recorded a career-high seven tackles to help seal the win in Beaver Stadium.
Matt Robinson
Stats (two seasons): 107 tackles (64 solo), 11.5 for a loss, 0.5 sacks, nine pass deflections, one fumble forced
A lightly recruited prospect out of Atholton (Md.), Maryland was Robinson's only FBS offer. He played immediately as a reserve defensive back in 2010, recording 29 tackles with two fumbles forced in Ralph Friedgen's final year.
When Randy Edsall took over in 2011, Robinson and Eric Franklin started the first three games as the duo at safety. They were prolific -- he had 36 tackles in those three contests -- but an injury ended the year early and awarded him a redshirt season. After returning as a safety in 2012 and recording 26 tackles in five games, Robinson transitioned to SAM.
He had 73 tackles with 10 for a loss and four passes broken up on 2013 and 34 tackles with five passes broken up in 2014, helping lead the team to two bowl game appearances.
Kenny Tate
Stats (one season): 35 tackles (20 solo), 1.5 for a loss, two interceptions, two pass deflections, one fumble forced
A former star prospect at DeMatha, Tate had an excellent start to his Maryland career, posting 100 tackles as a safety under Ralph Friedgen in 2010. Injuries and a coaching change forced a move to linebacker, and Tate struggled early under Randy Edsall. After four games, his season was over, with seven career interceptions and just shy of 200 career tackles.
Alex Twine
Stats (four seasons): 146 tackles (87 solo), 10.0 for a loss, one sack, seven pass deflections, two fumbles forced
Another lightly recruited local prospect (this time out of Quince Orchard), Twine was never able to fully hold on to a starting position in his time with Maryland but has clearly been the most productive player at the position under Randy Edsall (due in large part to his ability to stay on the field). Twine never broke 50 tackles in any one season, and helped provide cover on the inside as well.