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Maryland Football: Five takeaways from nonconference play

By Chris Bengel

Sep 3, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Trey Edmunds (9) scores a first quarter touchdown against the Howard Bisons at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Trey Edmunds (9) scores a first quarter touchdown against the Howard Bisons at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive back Darnell Savage Jr. (26) tackle Central Florida Knights tight end Jordan Akins (88) during the first quarter of a football game at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive back Darnell Savage Jr. (26) tackle Central Florida Knights tight end Jordan Akins (88) during the first quarter of a football game at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Quite a few Terps have switched positions since Durkin arrived in College Park.

Linebacker Shane Cockerille has been one of the ones that has made the biggest impact.

Cockerille began his Maryland football career as a quarterback before converting to fullback under Randy Edsall in 2015. However, Durkin had Cockerille switch to the defensive side of the ball in the offseason.

It seemed to be a smooth transition as Cockerille was running with the starters throughout the bulk of the offseason. After three games, he has been one of Maryland’s most important defenders.

Cockerille leads the team with 25 tackles (10 solo) and has really shown that he has a nose for the football. In fact, he has a pair of tackles-for-loss.

He possesses great pursuit of the ball carrier and is absolutely fearless.

Another key contributor has been cornerback J.C. Jackson.

The one-time Florida Gator missed the season opener due to academic issues. That certainly didn’t stop Jackson from announcing his arrival with a superb performance against Florida International.

Jackson recorded three solo tackles and was phenomenal in pass coverage. The Golden Panther wideouts couldn’t seem to get any type of separation when Jackson was covering them.

Maryland’s defense has played pretty well through three games and Cockerille and Jackson are two of the biggest reasons for that.

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