On Thompson: Young and talented redshirt sophomore who emerged last season as a quality ACC linebacker ... enters spring ball atop the Maryland depth chart at outside linebacker ... second-leading returning tackler behind Delbert Cowsette ... top returning linebacker following the graduation of senior all-stars Eric Barton and Kendall Ogle ... played 1-2 on the outside last season with fellow freshman Ryan Swift to produce an exciting, young tandem for Terp defensive efforts to build around ... among Terps' leading tacklers in his first college season ... has quickly developed into an impact player at the Division I level.

1998: An 11-game starter as Maryland's outside linebacker, or bandit position ... prominent on the defensive stat sheet as just a freshman, contributing 87 tackles, fourth-best on the team ... 52 solos, 35 assists ... averaged 7.9 tackles per game ... led Terps with nine tackles for loss and 29 yards ... his one sack came in season opener against James Madison ... forced fumbles in back-to-back games against JMU and Virginia.

1997: Redshirt season.

High School: Graduated from Mt. St. Joseph High School in 1997 ... was named the Baltimore Sun's All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, when he rushed for 2,325 yards and 37 touchdowns ... finished his career as one of the all-time leading rushers in the state ... also played linebacker in special situations, totaling 19 tackles, two sacks and one interception ... high school coach was Mike Working.

Personal: Aaron G. Thompson ... born May 4, 1978 ... son of Edith Green and Aaron Thompson ... majoring in criminology and criminal justice ... member of Maryland's student-athlete advisory council.

Defense   G-GS   UT   AT      TT   TFL   Sacks   Int
1998     11-11   52   35  87/7.9  9-29  1.0-11   0-0

Thompson Up Close

Aaron Thompson Class: RS Sophomore Hometown: Baltimore, Md. High School: Mt. St. Joseph Height / Weight: 6-1 / 226 Position: Linebacker Experience: 1V