Kenny Tate Injury: Maryland Linebacker Granted Medical Hardship, Will Return To Practice In August
Star Maryland linebacker Kenny Tate will return to the team in 2012 after being granted a medical hardship. He played in just four games last season. However, he won't be ready to practice until August.
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We're still not sure exactly what injury ailed Kenny Tate and caused him to get a medical redshirt to return for a fifth season next year, but we do know that it still lingers. That's because coach Randy Edsall announced Friday that Tate will not likely practice for a while. Via Patrick Stevens of the Washington Times:
Edsall on Kenny Tate: "He probably won't be ready until August."
Tate was ruled out for the year after just four games last season. A former all-ACC safety, Tate struggled with the transition to linebacker even before his injury.
The NCAA has granted a medical hardship waiver to Maryland Terrapins linebacker Kenny Tate preserving one year of eligibility. Tate, who only played in four games for Maryland during the 2011 season, may return to the program as a fifth-year senior.
The other Terrapins to receive a medical hardship waiver are wide receiver Tyrek Cheeseboro, defensive back Matt Robinson, and defensive lineman Isaiah Ross.
In 2010, Tate ranked No. 2 on the Terrapins with 100 tackles (58 solo). He also tallied 8.5 sacks, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and seven passes defensed. And despite making just four appearances for the Terps in 2011, he nonetheless recorded 35 tackles (20 solo) and two interceptions.
A four-star recruit from DeMatha High, Tate converted from a high school wide receiver to a college defensive back, and then moved to linebacker for the 2011 season. Maryland declined to disclose the nature of the injury which limited him to four games. Notably, Tate was right on the edge of medical hardship waiver eligibility, as four games equals more than 30 percent of the Terps' schedule, but the NCAA granted the request anyway.
For more on the Terrapins, please visit Testudo Times, SB Nation's Maryland blog.
Linebacker Kenny Tate will undergo his season-ending surgery sometime later in the week, Maryland football coach Randy Edsall announced on Tuesday. Tate was ruled out for the season by the school on Sunday after missing the past three games. The school will not announce his injury, though it appears to be something on his leg. This according to the Washington Post.
The Terps will also be applying for a medical redshirt for Tate, who played in just four games this season. If he receives it, Edsall said he would play linebacker next season. Tate was an all-ACC performer at safety, but Edsall and his staff moved him to linebacker this season to allow him to play closer to the line of scrimmage. Tate struggled with the transition, but Edsall said he believes linebacker is Tate's best position. Via Patrick Stevens of the Washington Times:
Edsall: "That's what he is. I think that's his best position to play at the next level and that's his best position for us."
It remains unclear if the Terps do indeed receive the redshirt. Tate is right on the border of eligibility.
Star Maryland linebacker Kenny Tate will have season-ending surgery and miss six to nine months. The school will apply for a medical redshirt on Tate's behalf.
