Melvin Keihn should be an impact transfer

Maryland football starts its season in 38 days. Until then, we're profiling every player on the roster in our Profiles in Terpage series.

Melvin Keihn, linebacker/defensive end

Height: 6’1

Weight: 211 pounds

Year: Redshirt sophomore

How he got to College Park

Keihn has possibly the most harrowing story of any player on the team. He left his native Liberia, which was in the midst of a civil war, to head to America when he was 8 years old. He didn’t speak any English, but his athletic talent was obvious. After beginning a high school career in basketball, he eventually turned his focus to football. Gilman coach Biff Poggi noticed Keihn on a scouting trip, and his family eventually took him in.

Keihn, the No. 12 player in Maryland and the No. 21 weaksided defensive end in the country, per the 247Sports Composite, ended up an Under Armour All-American as a senior.

Keihn committed to Virginia Tech and played one season there before transferring to Maryland. He sat out the 2015 season, per NCAA rules.

High school highlights

2016 prospectus

Keihn is an unknown quantity on Maryland’s defense. He came to the team as a linebacker, but is listed as a defensive end on the current roster. Either way, his main responsibility figures to be rushing the quarterback.

What a dream season would look like

He becomes the team’s top pass-rusher and limits the damage done by Yannick Ngakoue’s jump to the NFL.

Next in the series...

Was DJ Durkin’s second commit as Maryland’s head coach.

Standings

Reborn479-10

PeachesTerp-9

Testudbro-5

apgibson24-5

Scaletta-4

jayman88-4

TerpDonkey-4

MurderlandBoy-3

ImFromMarylandAndNobodyCanBeatMe-3

jgoldy17-3

terpcommenter-2

amaymon27-2

ezra2141-1

Mr. Papageorgeo-1

RedTurtle-1

Carolina-1

PMatt-1

EricPat-1

Cyfi98-1