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CB Will Likely is the Most Valuable Player for Maryland

By Brandon Austin

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Oct 19, 2013; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive back William Likely (4) runs by Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive end Desmond Floyd (94) during the fourth quarter at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Maryland 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

As the Maryland Terrapins head into the 2015-16 college football season, there are a number of questions looming over the team. The Terps have plenty of holes to fill, leaving a level of uncertainty for their outlook this season. One of the few bright spots for Maryland in 2015 will come in the form of one of the team’s smaller players. Rising junior defensive back Will Likely stands just 5-foot-7 and 175 pounds, but what he lacks in size, he definitely makes up for in playmaking ability.

Growing up and playing in a big high school football state like Florida, Likely often had to hear about his small stature. Scouts even raised some concerns about his size and questioned if he could play big-time college football. Although Likely also received offers from schools like LSU, Miami and Stanford, his size probably discouraged some of the other powerhouse programs from offering him a scholarship.

The doubters have only served as motivation for Likely. “People are going to always talk about it but, at the end of the day, I can’t do anything about it because this is what God gave me,” Likely said. His size, or lack thereof, didn’t discourage him because he knew what he was capable of. He went on to win the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Florida as a senior.

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The buck certainly didn’t stop there. Likely was selected to the All-Big Ten first team as a sophomore and is looking to take his game to new heights in his junior season. Likely is undoubtedly one of the top cornerbacks in the country. He surely doesn’t lack in the confidence department, proclaiming himself as the best in the conference and “working on being the best in college football.”

Likely definitely has what it takes to make that goal come to fruition. The numbers, alone, speak for themselves. He picked off six passes last season, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Likely has top-notch ball skills and is a gifted tackler, especially considering his size. Don’t think that this kid is a one-trick pony either. Likely’s speed and athleticism make him one of the nation’s most lethal return men as well.

Likely has been on all the watch lists that he qualifies for, including the Jim Thorpe, Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski awards.

Likely made a name for himself last season.

How will he follow that up in 2015? Stay tuned.

Next: 2015 All-Big Ten Football Predictions

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