Before the high school football season, Surrattsville running back and 2008 Maryland football commitment Davin Meggett was known more for his famous father, former New York Giants running back Dave Meggett, than anything else.

But after a season in which Meggett gained 1,784 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns on 169 carries, while also catching nine passes for 410 yards and six touchdowns, it’s probably safe to say he’s made a name for himself.

While Division I schools – save for Maryland – were slow to recognize Meggett’s potential, Surrattsville head coach Tom Green was unsurprised with his star running back’s breakout senior year.

“I was expecting it,” Green said. “But this summer I saw him in person and saw the times he was running. If they didn’t offer, it was like, ‘well, what are you looking for?’ That’s what I was curious about -- the schools that didn’t offer him. Doing the things he was doing, I was a little baffled. But [his season] was expected for me. I knew the kind of talent he had.”

Green said that Meggett has always been fast, noting that he clocked multiple hand-timed 10.8 times in the 100 over the summer. But for some reason, that undefined ‘football speed’ eluded Meggett, particularly on his junior year film.

For whatever reason, that changed prior to Meggett’s senior year.

“I think the game, just playing more football … the game just slowed down for him,” Green said. “Once you know what’s going on and what’s going to happen, you can read the blocks. He made better decisions and trusted where he should go with the ball.”

With Meggett leading a potent Hornets offense, Surrattsville secured its first playoff berth in school history. The team finished with a 10-2 record, falling in the 1A south regional final against eventual state champion Dunbar.

Green describes Meggett as an every-down power back with great speed that can catch the ball out of the backfield. Meggett, a 3.2 student, impressed Green this year beyond the football field as well.

“A lot of his leadership abilities are doing the right things in school, in the hallways and in the classrooms,” Green said. “Helping kids in study hall, tutoring other kids and helping them bring their grades up. A lot of his leadership abilities off the field were probably just as important as what he did on the field.”

While Meggett’s senior year was much better than most expected, Green thinks that flying under the radar suited the future Terp well.

“I’m kind of happy that he was underrated because that made him work hard,” Green said. “He was okay with it. The fact that he did get the offer from Maryland, he knows his work is being recognized.”