Through his first two years at Maryland, Yannick Ngakoue had started only 11 of 26 games, posting 47 tackles and eight sacks. Underwhelming for sure.
But the Terrapins’ switch to a 4-3 defense moved Ngakoue from outside linebacker to defensive end and into Chad Wilt’s meeting room.
The partnership lasted only a year, but it was beneficial for Ngakoue, whose 131/2 sacks were second in the Big Ten and tied for second nationally, and he had 38 tackles. Ngakoue left school and was drafted by the Jaguars in the third round.