For Neeo Avery, the journey back to the football field from an ACL injury was not just a testament to his physical recovery, but also a powerful demonstration of perseverance and a message - to himself, to his younger brother, and to the world.
“I felt like I had to prove to myself, and to everyone else, this wasn’t the end of my story. This is just the beginning,” Avery told IBG.
Although the road to this point was physically and mentally demanding for Avery, the redshirt freshman defensive end is no stranger to the moment. Having faced a similar injury when he tore his ACL during his junior year of high school, Avery found this second round of rehabilitation more manageable, but no less grueling. Although he had a better idea of what to expect, he still had to push past the mental barrier of going through this again and focus on preserving through the long days of rehab.
In fact, those first few days after the injury were some of the darkest for Avery. Coming back from a second torn ACL, thoughts of “Is this the end for me?” circled in his mind, but they never stayed for long. With goals of being an elite player and hopeful future first-round draft pick, the responsibility of being a role model for his younger brother, on top of proving himself to himself, made quitting not an option.
“We have a job to get done, now it’s back to work,” Avery put simply.
Central to his motivation to get back on the field was his younger brother, Nash. As the two youngest siblings of eight, their bond has always been strong. In fact, it was their relationship that played a major role in Avery’s decision to ultimately commit to Maryland as his brother is a standout basketball player, giving Neeo a chance to stay close to Nash.
“Everything I do is to show him the right way, if I can do something that’ll make him think to himself ‘Okay my big brother did it, so I gotta be better than that, I gotta exceed that,’” said Avery. He cites their competitive nature as a key part of their bond.
“I wanted to show him that when you get knocked down you don’t just stay down, you gotta get back up, brush it off and keep moving forward, life doesn’t stop for anybody.”
To Avery, his injury and recovery process not only built his character and strengthened his resolve, but also expanded his knowledge of the game. Throughout his recovery, Avery found a new way to connect with the game. Unable to get reps on the field and partake physically, Avery, while working closely with defensive coordinator Brian Williams, gained a deeper understanding of the game by looking at it through the coaches eyes and paying attention to the finer details.
Though not in pads yet, Avery was able to begin conditioning with players ahead of the 2023 Music City Bowl vs. Auburn, giving the former Good Counsel star a chance to acclimate himself to the college speed. After easing his way back into the rotation through the spring, Avery cemented himself as an expected piece in the 2024 rotation as part of what could be the deepest front seven of the Mike Locksley era.
When Avery finally made his college debut vs. UConn on Aug. 31, it was pure adrenaline, giving the former blue-chip prospect the feeling he’s long looked ahead to. And with his experience as the Falcons’ starting quarterback before flipping sides of the ball, Avery cited his history on offense as reason why he’s able to break down his reads.
“Especially on plays where the quarterback is reading me coming off the edge, I know how to manipulate the QB into thinking I’m going upfield or crashing in so he pulls it. I know what’s going through the QBs mind.”
Avery finished with one tackle in his debut as the front seven now shifts their attention for a stiff test against the Spartans and dual-threat QB Aidan Chiles on Saturday. Working alongside a veteran defensive locker room and coupled with the defensive nuances he’s picked up studying the game while rehabbing, Avery is excited to show Maryland fans “were not the same old Maryland,” this season.
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