Maryland star Will Likely out for the season with torn ACL
Maryland couldn’t have received much worse news on Friday.
The Terps senior star, their most versatile and experienced player, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the remainder of the 2016 season.
With him past the 30 percent threshold for a medical redshirt, the injury will effectively end his college career.
“In the short time I’ve been here at Maryland, I understand and have a great appreciation for the significant impact Will Likely has had on our football program,” DJ Durkin said in a statement. “Will was one of the first people I met with when I accepted this job and it was quickly apparent how much he meant to his teammates and Maryland football.”
Likely suffered the injury returning a kick in the second quarter against Minnesota last week.
The defensive back/wide receiver/kick returner will finish his career as one of the most valuable players in program history. Likely, an All-American returner in 2015, elected to return to school instead of forgoing his final year of eligibility and provide some stability for the beginning of the Durkin era.
He set or tied six program records as a defensive back and return specialist during his time in College Park. He finished the 2016 season with 32 tackles, four pass breakups and a forced fumble.
It’s more unfortunate news for a program reeling after two straight losses. The Terps already lost starting safety Denzel Conyers to a season-ending injury and they could be without quarterback Perry Hills on Saturday night against Michigan State.
The Terps and Spartans will kick off at 7:30 p.m. in College Park.