Profiles in Terpage: A.J. Hendy

A.J. Hendy, senior, safety, No. 19

Stats:

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 208

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

High school: Bowie High School (Bowie, Md.)

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

Composite recruiting rating: Four stars, No. 14 athlete in nation, No. 5 player in Maryland via 247Sports

Who Maryland beat: UCLA, Iowa, Virginia, NC State, Vanderbilt

High school highlights:

How'd He Get to College Park?

Aside from being a standout both offensively and defensively on the gridiron, Hendy was also a state champion high jumper. He was named to the All-State team his senior year, and after decommitting following Ralph Friedgen's dismisall, he re-committed as a part of Randy Edsall's first recruiting class.

His freshman year in College Park, he had a solid campaign, recording 30 tackles as well as an interception returned for a touchdown against NC State. He won the starting job by the end of the season and looked to be a staple of the secondary for years to come. His sophomore year didn't go as well as he was injured for part of the season and was moved to cornerback which caused his production to drop.

His junior year was his best year in a Terps uniform as he had 32 tackles and a career game in the 37-0 beat down of West Virginia -- more on that in a second. He did not see the field his senior year as he was suspended for the entire season along with Levern Jacobs for violating the University's student code of conduct.

Career Highlight:

In 2013 against West Virginia at M&T Bank stadium, Hendy had a pick-six off of WVU quarterback Ford Childress which earned him a helmet sticker from ESPN's College Football Live. He also recovered two fumbles that game. His performance earned him ACC Defensive Back of the Week and the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week.

Dream Season:

Starting every game, becoming a ball hawking safety, recording 5+ interceptions, 50+ tackles, and getting drafted.

2015 Prospectus:

Hendy is already slated to start at one of the safety spots this season so he will get his chance to make amends for missing all of last season due to suspension. Maryland's defense ranked second-to-last in the B1G last year in passing yards allowed  (243.3 yards per game) but return a veteran heavy secondary. Hendy certainly has the potential to be great, and between him, Anthony Nixon, Will Likely, and Sean Davis, the Terps secondary could make a remarkable improvement from last year in the defensive backfield.

Up Next

Our next player is from the same city in Virginia as a former Terp receiver who plays on Sundays.

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