Every Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 sharp, Maryland defensive end Yannick Ngakoue walks into the offensive staff room and nearly all the coaches clear out.
They know this is Ngakoue’s time. This 60- to 90-minute span, in their room, is a big reason why the junior is second in the nation in sacks (10.5). That’s why they leave; that’s why Ngakoue is a midseason candidate for the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive end. And it's why he has more sacks than a dozen entire FBS teams.
“A lot of guys don’t know,” Ngakoue told ESPN.