Maryland football defensive lineman Jesse Aniebonam realizes the importance of being the team’s starting “Buck” linebacker under coach DJ Durkin.
As Florida’s defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014, Durkin used Dante Fowler Jr. at the position, a hybrid between defensive end and linebacker. As a freshman in 2013, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Fowler made the All-SEC second team before earning first-team honors a year later. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Fowler with the third overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Aniebonam is confident he’ll be able to thrive in a position he said the first-year coach “really likes.” The 6-foot-3, 260-pound junior believes this is the optimal position for his skill set, and his play has impressed coaches and teammates throughout fall camp.
“Jesse is playing the best football he’s played in his career,” Durkin said at media day Aug. 16. “Proud of his motor every day. … He’s just stacking good days back to back right now, which is awesome.”
Aniebonam has played both positions that make up the “Buck” linebacker position under two defensive coordinators. The Silver Spring native often lined up at weak-side linebacker, or the “Will,” under Brian Stewart as a freshman. He then moved to defensive end in the Terps’ 4-3 base defense that Keith Dudzinski brought to College Park in 2015.
But the new coaching staff, featuring first-year defensive coordinator Andy Buh, has pushed Aniebonam to expand his defensive repertoire. The “Buck” linebacker must be versatile, Aniebonam said. He must pressure the quarterback, stop the run and drop into pass coverage.
In preparing to cover all the responsibilities, Aniebonam said he’s worked into the best shape of his life. Aniebonam began his third position in as many years Saturday against Howard by assisting on two tackles (0.5 for loss) and a sack.
“It’s a fun position,” Aniebonam said. “It allows me to do a lot of different things, like I said, and I enjoy it a lot.”
Aniebonam has been competing with defensive lineman Melvin Keihn in what Durkin called one of the best battles of fall camp. Durkin said there could be times when both players share the field. Buh reiterated it doesn’t matter who starts because both veterans will see time throughout the game.
Aniebonam’s mental approach, teammates and coaches said, is a large reason he’s amplified his contributions to the Terps this season.
First-year defensive line coach Mike London said he’s had conversations with Aniebonam about what kind of player he wants to become and how he plans to achieve his aspirations. Thus, Aniebonam has tried to improve his preparation and study habits and increase his effort and execution on the field.
Defensive lineman Roman Braglio said Aniebonam, who was a four-star recruit out of Good Counsel High School, might have struggled with the “culture shock” of Division I football after dominating in high school.
“He had to break through that layer of ‘Can I really do this?'” Braglio said.
Still, Aniebonam performed well enough in the offseason to warrant the starting job in the Terps’ multifaceted defensive scheme. Durkin thinks he is one of the best fits at this position — something Aniebonam views as an honor — and he’s determined to meet his rookie coach’s standard.
“The kid is just athletically gifted,” Braglio said. “Everyone that you’ve played with is good, so you’re going to make mistakes. It’s going to be hard, and he finally broke through it.”
