Sept. 8, 2008

By Jodi Fick, Athletics Media Relations Staff

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - As a criminology and criminal justice major, Chase Bullock hopes one day to work for the FBI or in the Secret Service catching bad guys.

Thanks to his Maryland football career, he has gotten some good experience already. Bullock, a senior linebacker with the Terps, has been tracking down and wrapping up opponents at the collegiate level for four years now. The fifth-year player enters the 2008 season as a seasoned tackler who will be called upon to help anchor Maryland's linebacker corps from the weak-side.

And while a criminology-based career will likely appeal to Bullock in the future, his current objectives involve aiding his team's defensive effort by keeping opposing running backs and tight ends at bay during his final season with the Terrapins.

"It is very exciting to finally be a senior," Bullock said. "I am just happy to have started the season."

Bullock is anxious to play a full season in red, white and black. He was sidelined three games in 2007 with an ankle injury. Bullock backed up Dave Philistin at middle linebacker last season, registering 11 total tackles, including a career-high three solo stops against Clemson. He also tallied three tackles against Florida International and West Virginia and had a solo stop against Oregon State in the Emerald Bowl. Bullock posted the third-highest strength index among his linebacker group in the spring testing and appears primed for a productive 2008 season.

Through the first two games of the 2008 campaign, Bullock has notched six tackles, earning his career first start in the season-opening win over Delaware Aug. 30.

"I feel pretty good," Bullock said. "My goal for this year is to be consistent. It is the most important thing for me to do, so it's really what I am trying to focus on."

A Durham, N.C., native, Bullock grew up in ACC country, with his hometown neighbored by Duke, North Carolina State and North Carolina. Still, Bullock was always pretty certain he wanted to go away for college.

"I wanted to see the world," Bullock said. "D.C. is a great area and I really like it here.

"I do have one uncle that is a huge N.C. State fan, though. I think he would have liked to see me play there."

Thankfully for the Terps, Bullock landed in College Park, and is now serving in a mentoring role for younger members of the linebacker corps.

"When I first got here, Chase was really someone that helped me out, showing me the ins and outs and helping me during the summer," sophomore linebacker Alex Wujciak said. "We work out together and Chase is always there and on time."

Wujciak would know. He also spent significant time in the training room a year ago after a knee injury he suffered in preseason camp sidelined him the entirety of the 2007 season. But both players are now atop the depth chart at their respective linebacker spots - middle for Wujciak and weak-side for Bullock - after participating in spirited battles last spring.

"He doesn't make excuses," Wujciak said. "Chase just tries to get better all the time."

Bullock, who will likely see plenty of action today when the Terps take on Delaware in the first game of the season, is enjoying his new role as a leader on the field and off.

"I am a leader now and it feels great," Bullock said. "I used to be really quiet but now I am more vocal and try to get the guys together."

A Northern High School standout, Bullock was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for coach Gary Merrill. He posted 277 tackles during his two years as a starter and participated in the Shrine Bowl while being named two-time all-state. He also lettered in basketball and track. Since his arrival at Maryland in 2004, which was a redshirt season, Bullock admits he has grown up quite a bit.

"I am more mature than I was when I first got to Maryland," Bullock said. "I have a better understanding of the coaching staff and my fundamentals have improved a lot."

Bullock has set goals for this season, but not one of them is individual.

"I want to win an ACC championship," Bullock said. "I don't care what I do as an individual as long as we win a championship.

"I want to go out with a bang and get that ring."

For the rest of this season, Bullock still aims to neutralize the quarterback on the opposing team. That may change in the future, however, when his new job may be protecting a signal caller, perhaps the one at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.