Dill's story
Maryland received oral commitments from two players yesterday, but Pa. offensive lineman R.J. Dill had a touching story to go with his announcement last night.
R.J. had planned to visit several programs with his grandfather, but Maryland was the only place they went to together before Dill's grandfather, Jack Cozza, passed away. They attended the game against N.C. State together last year.
"He was going to have a big role in this process," Dill said. "He and I were very close. It wasn’t why I chose Maryland, but little things like that pointed me that way."
Dill said he informed coach Ralph Friedgen of his decision on Wednesday. He chose the Terps over Akron, Duke, UConn and Temple.
Rivals.com reported that Chesapeake (Va.) wide receiver Kerry Boykins also committed to Maryland yesterday. Boykins, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound four-star recruit, picked the Terps over UNC and Virginia. He's another example of how Tom Brattan is making in-roads in that area.
Comments
See? Was it so hard to actually do a little reporting and give the kid a tiny bit of attention on one of the biggest days of his life thusfar? Law and Order's not that great of a show anyway, nor is it as interesting as actually doing your job.
Posted by: Josh | July 27, 2007 10:28 AM
JOSH - Actually, I was working on the story about the death of Skip Prosser until about 9:30 last night, and the last call came from a head coach around 10. So yeah, I was working last night.
Posted by: Heather D | July 27, 2007 10:33 AM
That is a great story about RJ. We welcome him to the family!
Posted by: Matt N from Terpfanland | July 27, 2007 11:54 AM
NICE NEW PICTURE!
Posted by: Custard Doug | July 27, 2007 11:59 AM
Heather, what's the real story behind Wesley Jefferson leaving? I was counting on him to be a force this year, and there hasn't been a lot written about why the biggest recruit of the Fridge era (along with Vernon Davis), just walked away.
Posted by: Ben | July 27, 2007 12:02 PM
BEN - All I can tell you is what Wesley told us to our faces, and that's that he wanted to be a state trooper.
and DOUG - Thanks, it couldn't have gotten much worse, though. :)
Posted by: Heather D | July 27, 2007 12:10 PM
Refresh my memory about Tom Brattan and his recruiting style, I've heard many good things about him, but am not aware of his "strengths" as it were. Thanks for starting up the blog again - I look forward to it just as much as Roch's.
Posted by: EricB | July 27, 2007 1:11 PM
Good thing RJ Dill and his grandfather didn't visit Temple first. Touching story, but how could the kid not choose MD over the latter schools.
BTW, Heather, you look fantastic in that picture!
Posted by: Anonymous | July 27, 2007 2:24 PM
I saw Gary Douglas verballed today as well as one other prospect can you give us anymore info on Douglas and the mystery player.
Posted by: josh | July 27, 2007 3:15 PM
JOSH - Yeah, Gary Douglas did give a verbal today ... I'm working on tracking down his contact info. The number I have for him is out of service. Hopefully I'll get something by the end of the day.
Posted by: Heather D | July 27, 2007 4:23 PM
ANONYMOUS - When you consider the schools he was contemplating, I would have to judge he has a pretty good head on his shoulders, because how many of us posting here would have had the grades to get in those schools?
Posted by: Scott G | July 28, 2007 8:19 AM
Anybody know how big Dill is?
Posted by: jon dey | July 28, 2007 10:56 AM
I just wanted to thank you for your last couple of months of coverage. You have done a great job sharing the in's and out's of Terrapin sports for us Terp grads/fans. I was a little critical of you last Spring when you reported on Fridege's bad hair day, and your navigation of the beltway, not on the inside stuff. I can appreciate your job can be tough, but also want to compliment good reporting when I see it. Keep up the good work!! Go Terps..
Posted by: Jim F | July 29, 2007 8:02 AM
Still don't know Dill's size.
Posted by: jon dey | July 29, 2007 9:50 AM
JON - He's big. Ok, ok, he's listed at 6-6 274.
i.e. big.
Posted by: Heather D | July 30, 2007 11:50 AM
JIM - Thanks for the note. I'll take the good with the bad.
Posted by: Heather D | July 30, 2007 11:53 AM
I don't know what you guys are looking at...but that picture isn't too flattering!
Posted by: Silly Man | July 31, 2007 12:10 PM
I'm glad to see the Terps landing some athletes from the Virginia Beach area. Anyone who knows football knows that is a thriving hotbed of talent.
We just need to ensure we pick the guys who don't have hungry pitbulls in their backyard ;)
Posted by: Charles Owen | July 31, 2007 12:55 PM
Can you please check and see if the Maryland staff will apply for a medical hardship waiver (5th year) for Jermaine Lemons
Posted by: Tom G | August 4, 2007 8:23 PM