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We’re taking a look at the most exciting player on each Big Ten team, meaning we’re looking for a guy who is either so talented or so productive (or both) that it’s hard to take your eyes off him during a game. Up next: Maryland Terrapins Most exciting player: CB William Likely Likely could’ve bolted for the NFL after his junior season, but the Terps couldn’t be happier he stayed. He’s an incredibly versatile player who can change the face of a game on defense or special teams -- and he wasn’t too shabby during his limited time on offense, either. Likely is Maryland’s renaissance man, a do-it-all player who’s received recognition on both a conference-wide and national scale. He’s a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection as a defensive back, and last season he was also an All-American punt returner. He led the nation in combined return yards in 2015 (1,197) and ranked third nationally in punt-return average (17.7). He also tends to make highlight-worthy plays like this and this. The big knock on Likely is his size (5-foot-7, 175 pounds), and he’ll give up some big plays to taller receivers. But he has a penchant for the big play, and Maryland is still much, much better with him on the field. Although he didn’t register an interception last season, he still broke up a team-high 11 passes, which was more than double the Terps’ runners-up in that category (A.J. Hendy and Anthony Nixon tied with four). And Likely showed in 2014 that he can still be a ballhawk, as he tied for the conference lead with six picks. He probably won’t have a huge impact on offense this season, but Likely can still provide a spark when necessary. He rushed 11 times last season for 93 yards and caught five balls for 17 yards. That’s not huge, but just the fact he adds yet another wrinkle to this team is valuable. Likely is one of the nation’s best returners and one of the conference’s top corners. That’s more than enough to earn him the title of Maryland's "most exciting player."
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