Maryland linebacker Jefferson Ashiru is one of Maryland’s most veteran players on defense, a former two-year starter at Connecticut who has a wealth of experience with the 4-3 scheme. Since transferring after graduating from Connecticut in June, he immediately bolstered Maryland’s young and untested defense, which returns just two starters from last season.
But Ashiru has been fighting an “uphill battle” since he arrived, he admitted Tuesday, forced to start over with a new program for one final season and struggling at times adjusting to his new surroundings. He has been hesitant to be vocal with his teammates on the field.