Emptying out my notebook from Ralph Friedgen's news conference this afternoon. Click here for The Sun's story on Maryland's 2008 class.

• Milford Mill defensive lineman Teddy Dargan's name was noticeably absent from the Maryland news release announcing the class. When asked about Dargan, Friedgen said "we're not recruiting him," citing academics.

• New Terps wide receivers coach Kasey Dunn has been assigned the Eastern Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh recruiting areas. "I want to do a better job in Pennsylvania. I'm a little frustrated in the Pittsburgh area," Friedgen said. A notable incident of Pittsburgh-area frustration this year came when Tyler Urban switched his commitment from Maryland to West Virginia.

• Friedgen called this class Maryland's "best academic class" that he's brought in. He also repeatedly stressed how highly he thought of this class' character. Kevin Dorsey and Kenny Tate were cited multiple times by Friedgen.

• Friedgen and Terps defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Dave Sollazzo both expressed their hopes for a switch to an early signing period. An earlier period would help put an end to decommitments, both coaches said. "When I shake a hand, that's a commitment," Friedgen said. Three players in this class shook Friedgen's hand at one point but ended up elsewhere (Tyler Urban to West Virginia, Tavon Wilson to Illinois and Zach Brown to North Carolina).

• On Maryland's mid-year enrollees, Friedgen said he thinks Demetrius Hartsfield, Devonte Campbell and Kevin Dorsey could all potentially make early contributions for the Terps. Dorsey suffered an undisclosed injury recently "that's being checked out," Sollazzo said.

• Friedgen and Sollazzo both said Maryland will no longer put a substantial effort into recruiting the state of Florida. While Al Seamonson will still recruit north Florida, the staff will focus more on a five-hour radius around College Park.

• Offensive coordinator James Franklin will recruit Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Prince George's County.

Friedgen's comments on each of UM's 18 signees:

• On Tyler Bass -- Friedgen said he was "surprised a kid with his ability was still around" so late in the recruiting process, comparing Bass' recruitment to that of Chris Turner's.

• On Cody Blue -- Friedgen called Blue a "big, tall athletic defensive lineman" that runs a 5.3. Illinois was UM's main competition.

• On Kerry Boykins -- "It's always good to get a kid out of the Tidewater area," Friedgen said. He credited offensive line coach Tom Brattan on doing a "tremendous job" recruiting Boykins.

• On Devonte Campbell -- The Forestville and Hargrave product is "kind of like Vernon Davis," according to Friedgen. He's "very athletic in playing space."

• On Cameron Chism -- Friedgen called Chism a "cover corner" with 4.4 speed. Chism is "a guy we were psyched about getting," Friedgen said.

• On R.J. Dill -- Dill is "very tall", "very athletic" and has "very, very good feet," according to Friedgen, who also said he thinks the offensive tackle could get up to 310 pounds eventually.

• On Kevin Dorsey -- Friedgen called Dorsey "an outstanding individual." Dorsey "committed to us as a sophomore, went to combines last spring and was exceptional," Friedgen said. But, Friedgen noted, Dorsey never took another recruiting visit. Friedgen also compared Dorsey to Domonique Foxworth, both physically and "as a person."

• On Gary Douglas -- With Douglas' father living in Berkeley, Calif., Friedgen was happy to secure the Durham, N.C. running back's commitment over Cal, his runner-up. Douglas "has great speed," Friedgen said.

• On Eteyen Edet -- "I call him E.T.," Friedgen said. Friedgen first noticed Edet at a Forestville-Friendly game in the fall. Edet recorded 18 tackles in the game. Friedgen recounted Edet's journey from Staten Island, N.Y. to Fork Union (Va.) to Fort Washington (which you can read here). "I think he has finally gotten it together, and he will be a great success story if he can fulfill his dreams," Friedgen said.

• On A.J. Francis -- "A.J. is a big, strong, very agile defensive lineman," Friedgen said. Francis will start on defense, but could possibly move over to the offensive line, according to Friedgen.

• On Matt Furstenburg -- Friedgen called Furstenburg a tall, athletic tight end that has very good speed. Vanderbilt and North Carolina tried to recruit him during his post-grad year at The Hun School in New Jersey.

• On Justin Gilbert -- Gilbert, "a big kid that can move," played offensive tackle in high school, but Friedgen mentioned the possibility of him trying center as well.

• On Demetrius Hartsfield -- Friedgen said Hartsfield has a chance to crack the two-deep. Hartsfield is a guy that "can really bend his knees."

• On Masengo Kabongo -- Friedgen said "Maska" speaks four languages. "He speaks French, Swahili, another one and English," Friedgen said. "I'm anxious to see how he reacts to coach Sollazzo's language."

• On Zach Kerr -- Friedgen said Kerr is big, strong and "can run well for his size."

• On Justin Lewis -- A road grader, Friedgen said, who "runs very, very well." Lewis' build is similar to Jaimie Thomas in that he looks "about four feet wide."

• On Davin Meggett -- Friedgen was "very impressed with his speed," noting that Meggett's "phenomenal senior year" had Virginia and North Carolina come calling. "Another class kid," Friedgen said.

• On Kenny Tate -- "The more I got to know him, the more I liked him," Friedgen said. Tate is "unselfish and he is an unbelievable competitor," according to Friedgen.

Primary recruiters for Maryland's commitments:

Tom Brattan -- Bass, Boykins, Gilbert

Chris Cosh -- Chism, Francis, Tate

John Donovan -- Furstenburg

James Franklin -- Edet

Kevin Lempa -- Kabongo

Al Seamonson -- Lewis

Dave Sollazzo -- Blue, Kerr

Former coaches

Bryan Bossard -- Campbell, Dill, Dorsey, Meggett

Ray Rychleski -- Douglas, Hartsfield

Video courtesy of the University of Maryland