Jalen Brooks is back with experience at LB for Maryland football

Maryland football starts its season in 33 days. Until then, we're profiling every player on the roster in our Profiles in Terpage series.

Jalen Brooks, outside linebacker

Height: 6’1

Weight: 232 pounds

Year: Junior

High school: North Gwinnett High School (Ga.)

Jersey No.: 43

How he got to College Park

Brooks, a three-star recruit out of North Gwinnett High School, was recruited by a few Ivy League schools, but elected to come to Maryland to play some big-time college football. He redshirted his first year with the program in 2013, then made four stars at outside linebacker in 2014, playing in 12 games. Brooks was thrust into the spotlight a tad in 2015. When fellow linebackers Jefferson Ashiru and Abner Logan went down with injury, he was suddenly one of the most experienced linebackers on the team. He finished the season with 11 starts, 64 tackles, 2 interceptions and one forced fumble.

A career highlight

Making a career-high 10 tackles in 2015 against Bowling Green.

2016 prospectus

Brooks will probably enter 2016 as one of Maryland’s starting outside linebackers. He has more experience than anyone at the position save for Carter, which should serve him well. He should be a steady presence there all season, and can put himself in line to finish his career at Maryland as a three-year starter.

What a dream season would look like

Brooks is opportunistic in coverage and while rushing the passer, racking up a few sacks and topping the two interceptions he made in 2015.

Next in the series...

... is a senior defensive back who wasn’t a starter last season.

Standings

Reborn479-12

PeachesTerp-9

Testudbro-5

apgibson24-5Scaletta-4

jayman88-4

TerpDonkey-4

MurderlandBoy-3

ImFromMarylandAndNobodyCanBeatMe-3

jgoldy17-4

terpcommenter-2

amaymon27-2

RedTurtle-2ezra2141-1

Mr. Papageorgeo-1

Carolina-1

PMatt-1

EricPat-1

Cyfi98-1

terps150-1

AZDesertTurtle-1

TnTerp-1