Breyon and Brandon Gaddy can both help Maryland football as true freshmen

Profiles in Terpage is back for 2017. Last week, we focused on the offensive line; this week, we’re flipping sides of the ball and looking at the defensive line.

Breyon & Brandon Gaddy, DLs

Breyon: 6’4, 315 lbs.
Brandon: 6’4, 320 lbs.
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
High school: Bishop Sillivan

How they got to College Park

The twins dominated in high school, combining for 45 tackles and 10.5 sacks in their senior season. Breyon was rated higher as a recruit, earning a four-star designation on the 247Sports Composite, although his brother wasn’t far behind. Brandon played offense until his senior season, rushing for 772 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior, but like Breyon was recruited as a defensive tackle.

Their recruitment was an absolute roller coaster. The twins committed to Tennessee in July 2016, but then decommitted on Nov. 29. Just over a week later, they were in College Park on an official visit, and they pledged to Maryland on Dec. 11. Their commitments never seemed firm, as they continued to visit other schools right up until the end. A couple days before National Signing Day, it looked like they would flip to Florida, but they ultimately changed their minds and signed with the Terps. They even brought a high school teammate—wide receiver Tahj Capehart—with them.

2017 prospectus

Now that they’re here, the Gaddy twins add much-needed size to a defensive line that was atrocious against the run in 2016. They’ll have to compete with fellow freshman Cam Spence and a handful of more experienced players for playing time, but after starters Kingsley Opara and Cavon Walker, this position is wide open.

It’s worth noting that Breyon was listed as over 40 pounds heavier in high school, but the team site now lists them at about the same size. As a result, it’s most likely the twins remain on the inside, but if Brandon didn’t lose any athleticism, he could at least earn snaps at defensive end if that’s what the coaching staff needs.

Dream season

Both twins earn snaps right away, and they even line up next to each other a handful of times. They play a big role in the drastic improvement of Maryland’s run defense, and both set themselves up for potential starting roles in 2018.

Up next

A new addition from just about as local as a prospect can get.

Murderlandboy, say_al and Scaletta are still tied with two guesses each this week.
Terpluvian, ziowa9, jarem, Sabadahut, terponalake, amaymon27 and Verdun all have one.