The Terrapin defense has seen its fair share of injuries so far this season and a number of players expected to see little game action in 2008 have suddenly been thrust into key roles. One position that has thus far remained free from the injury bug is the LEO, the position which defensive coordinator Chris Cosh’s unique “Terp” defense is designed around. Derek Drummond backs up both Trey Covington and Rick Costa, who split time at the LEO position, and as a reserve must keep himself mentally sharp and prepared on the sideline should anything happen to the starters. We sat down with the redshirt freshman for this week’s edition of Meet the Team.
Terrapin Trail: You played receiver, tight end, linebacker and safety in high school. What’s it been like learning to play the LEO, which is a hybrid of both the linebacker and defensive end positions?
Derek Drummond: At first it was an adjustment. I was used to playing a whole bunch of offense and then some safety, and then being more physical and more downhill, it was a process during last fall and the spring.
TT: So now that you’ve gotten used to it, do you like it?
DD: I like it now, I like it a lot. Now you have more chances to make plays in the Terp defense, because there’s times you can blitz, or drop back in more coverages. Sometimes when we drop back in coverages I still think I’m a safety.
TT: As a reserve, you need to be ready to go in at any time should something happen to either Trey or Rick. How do you keep yourself mentally prepares?
DD: I have to prepare just like they do. Every given day, watch film just like they do, study your opponent just like they do, know the opponent’s personnel, what their favorite plays are. I gotta put in the same amount of time as they do, because like you said, at any given time they could go down. I don’t want to be the guy that’s thrown in there and doesn’t know what he’s doing.
TT: So when you’re on the sidelines, are you just watching the defense play, or are you watching the opposing offense too? What’s your process?
DD: I’m in tuned to everything that’s going on. Say if, when the opponent’s offense is on the field – I’m watching Trey and Rick, any given snap, every single time they blow out a seam I’m like, “Whoa, the tackle did this,” or “their key was this” or “they set this up like this,” and I’m feeding back right with them. As soon as the defense huddles, while the offense is on the field, I’m right there in the huddle listening, because you really never know.
BB: How have Trey and Rick helped you come along in this defense and learning this position?
TT: Trey since I first got here has helped me a lot. He was my host on my visit. He’s helped me through the whole thing. Rick helps me sometimes. There’s some things I forget, but Rick is still new to the position. But there’s certain things he sees that I need to work on or Trey says I need to work on.
I am Derek’s Father here in Pittsburgh Pa, My son is capable of taking over a ball game he has those skills, when everybody doubted him in pgh i kept telling them that he was the best reciever in Pa, he was on a team that did not throw the ball, but my son and i used to get up at 5 in the morning and go to Duquesne University and work out, after he worked out i would go to work and he would go home. Football is in our family blood and in due season as i told his doubters here i am telling you all there he will make a difference on the terps soon he will rise like cream, right to the top in the ACC mark my words!! Derek’s father Rev Shawn Drummond
My Son Derek Drummond will rise like i told folks here in pgh who doubted him and didn’i know that it was in our blood, the day i brought him home from the hospital i told his mother he would be a star athlete, phrophetic or genectic probably both.he will take over a game trust me and in his time you remember my words!! My Son is the real deal just waiting his time
I have been a teammate and friend of derek’s for a long time. There are some things that you can’t teach any athlete which is heart and a certain type of mind set you have to possess espescially when playing defense at the division one level. Derek and another former teammate of mine Sean Lee currently a linebacker at PSU have what no coach can teach them. Both of them are the most fierce competitors I have ever competed against in my life. Not only will Derek start for Maryland in the near future, with his size, strength, and fierce mindset there is no doubt in my mind you will be watching hime play on sundays.