NEWPORT, RI—Marshé Terry is listed as a linebacker but considers himself a hybrid. Either way, the position name doesn't matter much to the redshirt-junior—he just wants to be a key contributor in the middle of the Husky defense.

“I feel like I’m both,” Terry said.

The 6-foot-4, 221-pound defender is transitioning into a new role in Billy Crocker’s 3-3-5 defense this season. A lightly recruited high school receiver who came to UConn as a defensive back, is moving down into the box this year in the defense’s “Husky” role.

Having a player with Terry’s size, ability and experience should help improve a unit that allowed 37.9 points per game in 2017.

“He gives you range, length, toughness and the ability to matchup on certain receivers. He can play man-to-man but also take on the tight end and do some of those things. He really kind of fits perfectly into that role,” said UConn head coach Randy Edsall.

There are plenty of question marks for the UConn defense heading into year two of Crocker’s tenure. Terry’s move from deep safety to a box safety/linebacker hybrid could help answer some of them.

“It has really given me a chance to hone in on different skills," Terry said. "Being in the box and being close to the ball. ... I feel like it has brought more of my talents to surface.”

In his first season as a starter last year, Terry recorded 60 tackles, three tackles for a loss, four passes defended, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Now the Columbus, New Jersey native will have to battle much closer to the trenches as opposed to roaming free in the secondary.

“The biggest difference is just fundamentals and technique. Things are going to happen a little bit faster so it is just a matter of recognizing things a little bit sooner,” Edsall said. “But I think when you have somebody like that I think you gain something by having a bigger guy that can blitz and do different things.”

While needing to dissect plays and concepts faster Terry will also have to cover slot receivers, assist against the run and be part of pressure packages.

“It is really important for guys to set an edge and that’s what they use me for,” said the junior. “I’ve got long arms, I’m fast and I can come off the edge on a blitz. I’m also long and can cover on the field, I think it just helps and gives you more options as a defense with ever-changing offensive schemes in today’s game.”

Those evolving offensive sets in college and pro football have opened opportunities for versatile players such as Terry to play multiple positions, staying on the field for all three downs. The Husky position mirrors position changes which Deon Bucannon of the Arizona Cardinals, Eric Reid of the San Fransico 49ers and the Los Angles Rams’ Mark Barron have all done. Having rangy players in the middle of the defense who can cover receivers, running backs and tight ends who are also big enough to be effective in the box is one way defenses can counter the up-tempo, many-receiver sets that have become commonplace.

“The problem you have is the way offenses are utilizing three wide receivers and yet you still want to be in the position where you can play the run and have a good enough athlete to play pass defense, you kind of look for certain guys like that,” said Edsall. “It gives you an advantage defensively, plus for us being in a 3-3, we get the best of both worlds—you got a linebacker and safety and we don’t have to make a substitution to get into a nickel package."

With so many up-tempo offenses on the Huskies' schedule, and the general prevalence of these concepts across all offenses, UConn will have a slight advantage thanks to Terry.

"In today’s game you want to have three-down guys because when you’re subbing, you are giving the advantage to the [offense] and with the no-huddle sometimes its hard to get the substitute on and off the field. Now if you have that hybrid guy you don’t have to make those substitutions.”

From the offense’s perspective having a defender in the box doing a magnitude of different things requires extra attention.

“It adds another thing you have to think about. If he is in the box it changes up our schemes,” Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart said. “You have to address that, you can’t just let him do whatever he wants…It is definitely something you have to address.”

Edsall believes Terry’s new role, while not defined by a single position, increases his chances professionally.

“Economics 101, you’re more valuable," Edsall said. "Now if you’re at the pros you can negotiate for more money because you are playing that position so I had to explain it to him like that.”

Terry seems to be buying into his team’s new vision for him as its Husky defender.

“It just shows anyone who is watching I’m a versatile guy…It is opening my own eyes to my own abilities,” he said.