Largely a reserve outside linebacker and special teams contributor during his first three years at Maryland, senior Avery Thompson had 36 career appearances but no starts. He had nine career tackles, largely toiling in anonymity behind a deep corps of linebackers that graduated last year, and a new group of talented young players.
But this season, the Terps’ outside linebackers have been beset by injuries. Junior Abner Logan was lost for the season in one of August’s first practices. Senior Jefferson Ashiru suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Michigan on Oct. 3. In that same game, freshman Brett Zanotto also suffered an ankle injury and has been out since.