Believe it or not, Terps running back signee Gary Douglas wasn’t the only athlete drawing recruiters to Durham (N.C.) Hillside football games last fall. Meet fellow running back Desmond Scott, who sports offers from Alabama, Clemson, East Carolina, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, according to The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer.

Despite the presence of Douglas, Scott still “managed’’ to log 140 carries for 905 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also contributed 38 receptions for 625 yards and three scores.

[Hillside coach Ray] Harrison said Scott runs with better power and is more elusive than Douglas, but may not be quite as fast. Scott has been timed at 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

• The Gazette took a look this week at Maryland’s first verbal commitment for the 2009 class, Clarksburg defensive back Avery Graham. In the article, Graham touches on, among other things, growing up in Baltimore.

Graham knows exactly where his drive comes from: Baltimore. His freakish athletic talent was a way out of the inner city, where he grew up impoverished and fatherless. When he could so easily have used that as an excuse to do wrong, he did everything right.

‘‘I was fortunate; my mom [Janice] is a special lady,” Graham said. ‘‘But I never had a father there. I didn’t really know how to be a man. I wanted to explore more. I didn’t know what to expect; I didn’t know what happened if you did good in school. I was kind of just experimenting.”

• The Diamondback was on hand for a recent Maryland football spring practice. So was Woodbridge (Va.) Thomas Edison linebacker Stephon Robertson, who spoke to Maryland’s student newspaper.

"I'm basically just observing, watching the different various types of styles for defense," Robertson said. "I really do like the practice. I want to see some hits, but I like what I see."

In the same article, The Diamondback caught up with ’08 Terps wide receiver signee Kenny Tate.

"I'm just seeing what I'm in store for coming into the summer, just ready to see what I can help bring to the team," Tate said. "I'm looking at tendencies and their coaching style … so I know what to do when I get here. I wish I could practice right now. It looks like it's going to be real fun next year."

• Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe athlete Stephon Gilmore should have his pick of colleges. According to this article from The Herald, Maryland is one of those potential choices.

Others were scattered about the table -- Rutgers, Connecticut, Southern Cal, Miami and Illinois. Those schools are inquiring and have yet to make offers. The list of those who have is impressive -- Alabama, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, N.C. State, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina.

• It’s still early in the process, but it looks like Lackey cornerback Darrell Givens might be a long-shot for Maryland, at least according to this article from Scout.com.

Givens also already attended junior days at Penn State, Rutgers, Boston College and local favorite Maryland, but he says he would prefer to leave the state. "I'd like to leave home and get away," he said.

• Quince Orchard cornerback Travis Hawkins continues to see his recruitment take off. According to Yahoo! Sports, Michigan and Tennessee were the latest schools to extend offers, but Hawkins says he’s not counting anyone out.

Currently Hawkins claims no early leaders at this time.

“I grew up watching Maryland, but I’ve really started getting into football the last couple years and I’ve watched everyone.”

• The Washington Post presents another edition of its Recruiting Spotlight video feature. This week, the Post looks at Stone Bridge (Va.) twins, Zach Thompson, a defensive end who claims a UM offer, and Patrick Thompson, a quarterback. Click here to watch the video.