Mark Leoni was beginning to get anxious.

His son, St. Joseph (N.J.) High School linebacker Ryan Donohue, was offered a scholarship by Rutgers in September, but remained uncommitted heading into the summer.

“He was getting nervous because everyone was starting to fill up,” Donohue said. “[He’d say], ‘If they run out of spots, what’s the offer good for?’ But I just had the feeling that [Rutgers wasn’t the right fit for me] ... there was something missing.”

With that in mind, Donohue and his father loaded up the family car and made the drive from New Jersey down to College Park, in hopes of finding that indescribable quality Donohue sought in a program.

At Maryland last week, he found what was missing and committed to the Terps.

Donohue, 6 feet 2, 220 pounds, said he was immediately blown away by Maryland’s campus.

“[I was impressed with] just how beautiful everything was, driving around and looking at the campus,” Donohue said. “It's what a college is supposed to look like to me. ... [My father] just looked at me one time and was like, ‘You're going to commit, aren’t you?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, probably.’”

So before Donohue returned to New Jersey, he and his father had a sit-down with Ralph Friedgen to inform Maryland’s coach of his intention to accept UM’s offer.

“I went to shake [Friedgen’s] hand, and he was like, ‘Is that right?’ And he was like, ‘I hug all my commitments.’ And he hugged my dad too, and that's the stuff that makes you feel welcome,” Donohue said.

Donohue said he expected an enjoyable visit going in based on conversations with St. Joseph's head coach Tony Karcich, who has known Friedgen for almost 25 years.

“Well we go way back to when he was an assistant coach at Maryland,” Karcich said. “I was the head coach at Bergen (N.J.) Catholic. He recruited one of my guys (offensive lineman Bill Hughes) who ended up being a captain in the [mid-1980s] at Maryland. It was a great job of recruiting on Ralph’s part. They projected him, redshirted him, and he became at least a two- or three-year starter. I’ve known Ralph ever since then. He’s an upfront guy, so I feel very comfortable sending any of my kids to Ralph.”

Karcich said Donohue, who contributed 116 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions for St. Joseph's as a junior, should fit in well at Maryland.

“They recruited him as an inside linebacker. He’s got good instincts as an inside linebacker, a good nose for the ball, and he’s a physical kid,” Karcich said. “He’ll hopefully put on a little more size. He’s probably about 220. I’m sure they’d like him to be a little bigger. But he runs real well and doesn’t have many weaknesses. He takes on blockers, is a great hitter, very physical and also does a good job on pass coverage, so he’s a complete package.”

Donohue, who’s leaning toward studying kinesiology at Maryland, said he -- and his father -- are relieved that his decision is made and he can now concentrate entirely on his senior season. Beyond that, Donohue said he’s excited to join a team that already feels like family.

“It was just awesome [at Maryland] -- totally different from all the other colleges I visited," Donohue said. "Just the closeness, I felt like almost family down there. When I went to talk to all the kids and coaches, they welcomed me. All the other schools kind of took [recruiting] like a business. [Maryland] didn't take it like that and that's what I wanted.”

Posted by Matt Bracken at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Never has YouTube played a more prominent role in an athlete’s recruitment than in the case of River Hill running back Malek Redd.

Redd, who committed to Central Michigan on Wednesday, rushed for 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns during his junior season. He followed his season up with a string of impressive combine performances. But it wasn’t until the Chippewas coaching staff took a look at Redd’s readily-available highlight reel that the 5-foot-6, 171-pounder received his first scholarship offer.

Central Michigan’s courtship of Redd began last week at Michigan’s football camp.

“When I first got to Michigan, it was a one-day camp, so we just went through stretching, working on speed, form running and circuits,” Redd said. “After that we ran 40s and my first 40 I ran a 4.27. All the coaches heard about it and they all came over to watch my second one, and I ran the same exact time.

“[After the camp the Central Michigan coaches] were talking to my stepdad, asking what my e-mail was so they could keep in contact with me,” Redd said. “[CMU head coach Butch] Jones said he was going to e-mail me the next day. As I was about to leave, he told me to check my e-mail whenever I got the chance. He hadn’t seen my highlight film yet, so I told him to go on YouTube and check out my highlight film.”

Jones exited the building, presumably to find the nearest computer with internet access. Meanwhile, Redd and his stepfather continued talking to Michigan’s recruiting coordinator. The Wolverines staff invited Redd to stay for the next day at camp, which he accepted. Then came good news from the Chippewas.

“We were still in the building and I was talking to the recruiting coach from Michigan,” Redd said. “When I was about to leave [Jones] sent his offensive coordinator down [to offer a scholarship] because he saw my highlight film [on YouTube] and he loved it.”

Redd didn’t commit immediately. He left Ann Arbor, Mich., the following day, but Central’s offer stood out in his mind. The recruitment took off from there, leading up his unofficial visit to CMU, located in Mount Pleasant, Mich., on Wednesday.

“It was a one-day trip,” Redd said. “I wanted to go visit the school. I was e-mailing the coaches back and forth. We just talked about me playing and being successful in life. He wanted me to come up and [I went there with River Hill safety] Leron Eaddy. Leron got an offer from there [Wednesday], too. We sat down in the office and were about to leave. [Jones] asked if we had any questions, and I was like, ‘I just want to accept your offer and commit to Central Michigan.’”

Redd said he was sold on Central Michigan’s recent success -- the Chippewas have won back-to-back MAC championships -- and the opportunity to contribute immediately. Redd thought Michigan might offer a scholarship soon, but he didn’t want to wait to find out.

“I like Michigan, it’s a big-name school and all that, but they have four running backs this year and they’re about my size and [have] similar [styles],” Redd said. “So I didn’t see myself getting playing time freshman year, and I want to play my freshman year.

“Coach Jones was saying I could come in and [play] right away. He was saying I could be a star player up there.”

Redd also looks forward to playing one season with Central’s star quarterback Dan LeFevour, the reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year. LeFevour threw for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 as a sophomore, becoming just the second player in Bowl Subdivision history to accomplish that feat.

“When I went up there for my visit, I met with all the coaches, talked to a few of them, and talked to the quarterback, Dan LeFevour,” Redd said. “He’s going to be up for the Heisman. Me and him talked for awhile. He was telling me how the coach really loved me and he thought I could help the program. I’ll be up there for his senior year, and we can make something happen that year before he leaves.”

For now Redd, who intends to major in sports management at CMU, can focus the rest of his summer on getting ready for his senior season. He said it’s a great relief to have found a home for the next four years.

“It feels really good,” Redd said. “You don’t have that stress. ... Last year coaches would come to the game, but it would be stressful because I didn’t want to mess up. I’m committed now, so I’m good. I can just have fun during my senior year.”

Click on the YouTube player for Redd's junior season highlights.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

I've been ridiculously busy catching up with Maryland’s flurry of football commitments this week, so there won’t be a traditional ‘Weekly recruiting roundup’ today.

(Check out this page to keep track of the Terps’ 2009 class. It has bio pictures -- courtesy of Rivals.com -- and a commitment story for each recruit.)

In the next few days, I’ll have features on River Hill running back/slot receiver Malek Redd, who committed to Central Michigan this week, and New Jersey linebacker Ryan Donohue, who committed to Maryland on Tuesday. TerrapinTimes.com reports that Long Island kicker Nick Ferrara committed to UM yesterday, so I’ll try and catch up with him, too.

For now, here are a few of the more newsworthy links from the past week.

• The Washington Post‘s Josh Barr reports that Forestville defensive end DeOnte Arnett will end his recruitment Wednesday, choosing between Cincinnati, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio State and Tennessee. Barr likes Maryland’s chances.

The guess here is that Arnett gives the local team quite a boost and pledges for the Terps.

• Plainfield, N.J., point guard Isaiah Epps had an eventful week. The 2010 prospect visited Maryland unofficially Tuesday and also learned his high school head coach, Pete Vasil, would not return to Plainfield next season. ZagsBlog explains the situation here and gets an interesting quote from Vasil regarding Epps’ recruitment.

“He had a great time,” Vasil said of Epps’ visit [to Maryland]. “Now he’s got to do the right thing and make the right decision.”

Epps will be 18 in August and only has one year of high school eligibility remaining before potentially going prep.

• Virginia Beach shooting guard Andre Dawkins, a 2010 prospect, committed to Duke last night over offers from Maryland, Clemson, Virginia Tech and several others.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Bradley Johnson strode into the Dinwiddie (Va.) High School weight room Wednesday morning, fresh off his visit to College Park for Maryland’s summer football camp.

A newly-purchased black Under Armour shirt fit snugly on Johnson’s 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame. Emblazoned across his chest in red was the word “Maryland,” with “Terps” underneath.

“I guess some of [my teammates] might have had a feeling [I committed to Maryland],” Johnson said. “Then they [saw the shirt and] realized that’s probably where I’d be playing. So they were excited for me.”

Johnson committed to Maryland on Tuesday, picking the Terps over offers from Virginia Tech, West Virginia, East Carolina, Duke and Richmond. The outside linebacker prospect said his conversation with Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen about everything but football helped seal the deal.

“I talked to the head coach and all we really talked about was my future during college and after,” Johnson said. “That’s basically what pushed Maryland on top.”

Johnson said his discussions with Friedgen dealt mostly with academics and internship opportunities.

“He encourages his players to find ... their niche, and that’s really what stood out,” Johnson said. “I can get internships during the summer, good job opportunities. ... They’re in like the fourth largest media market [in the country]. Where they’re located, I can basically [have the opportunity to get] any job. There are a lot of opportunities around the area to help me find out what I want to do.”

There was, however, some talk of football throughout Johnson’s recruitment. According to Johnson, who will play SAM linebacker in college, he has a shot at earning early playing time.

“They’re graduating around five linebackers this year, so playing time for me should be early,” Johnson said. “It could be a possibility that I might be redshirted, but it also depends on how I do in camp.”

Johnson was offered by Maryland in April during a Junior Day visit to the campus. His second visit was earlier this week for camp. Johnson said he didn’t know ahead of time that he’d commit, but the overall experience convinced him to end his recruitment.

“The campus was beautiful,” Johnson said. “I loved the campus and I liked the coaches, too. ... I didn’t really have an idea [that I‘d commit], but when I went up there the second time, I knew this was where I wanted to play.”

Click here for Dinwiddie coach Billy Mills’ take on Johnson’s commitment.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Dinwiddie (Va.) High School head football coach Billy Mills expected his star linebacker, Bradley Johnson, to return home from Maryland’s camp this week with a decision on where he’d play college football.

Johnson, who sported offers from Maryland, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, East Carolina, Duke and Richmond, had essentially narrowed his list to the Terps and Hokies.

“I walked into the weight room yesterday morning and he had a Maryland shirt on, so that pretty much told me what his decision was,” Mills said. “Bradley’s a very intelligent young man, real mature for his age. He thinks ahead. He didn’t take his decision lightly, so he’s excited about what lies ahead the next four years.”

Mills actually thought Johnson, 6 feet 2, 215 pounds, was leaning toward Virginia Tech.

“It came as a little bit of a surprise,” Mills said. “But Bradley, he felt real good about the place and had a good visit with coach [Ralph] Friedgen. I was a little bit surprised. I thought he’d go up there, come back and commit to [Virginia] Tech, but I don’t push my kids one way or another, so it was his choice and they got a good one in Bradley. He’ll do well. …

“There’s some things with academics down the road with the internship program that he was really excited about. He’s the type of kid that looks beyond football. He’s special in that way. So I think the decision came down to that and they did a real good job recruiting him.”

Johnson, who contributed 113 tackles and two interceptions as a junior, is slated to play the SAM linebacker for the Terps. Mills isn’t sure if the Terps will redshirt Johnson, but from a physical standpoint, he’ll be ready to contribute.

“He’s not the kid that needs a year to get the physical part,” Mills said. “He’s a strong kid. He power-cleans over 325, benches 340. He’s a strong kid and can run well, too. He’s a tireless worker. He’ll be ready physically. It’s just a matter of how he picks up the playbook and who’s ahead of him.

“He’s versatile. He plays basically the strong safety for us. So he can play outside in a 4-4 [defense]. He can play one of the safeties. He’s a great cover guy and a big-time hitter. He’s got the size that he can go inside and play. There’s a lot that he can do. We can use him in a lot of situations.”

Posted by Matt Bracken at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

DeMatha offensive tackle Pete deSouza thought there was a good chance he’d commit to Maryland eventually.

But the 6-foot-7, 315-pounder decided to speed up the process last week during his time at a Catholic Heart Workcamp service trip to Virginia Beach.

deSouza, who committed to the Terps on Friday over offers from Akron, Delaware, Rutgers and Syracuse, said his week-long spiritual enhancement in Virginia Beach convinced him that College Park was the right place for him.

“I was there in Virginia Beach, helping out people, and also getting the Catholic faith, the spiritual aspect, and that’s what’s good about coach [Ralph] Friedgen,” deSouza said. “He’s Catholic as well, he’s very religious and I really like that. And that really brought me closer to committing to Maryland, because of what coach Friedgen believes in.”

In Virginia Beach, deSouza would wake up at around 6 a.m., grab some breakfast, pile in a car and drive to a site. On site, the groups painted the inside and outside of rundown houses, do yard work and any other maintenance jobs around the house. Other groups would spend time with the disabled and elderly, deSouza said.

deSouza said he was already leaning toward Maryland before his week of service. He liked the academic opportunities and felt comfortable with the team after making several unofficial visits. But while immersed in his community service, deSouza couldn’t help but think of his conversations about his faith with Friedgen.

“When I met [Friedgen] the first day I went there, it was probably February or March, and that’s the question I asked -- ‘What does religion mean around there and how do you take it?’ I just asked him, how do you balance [football and your faith]?

“He said, ‘yes, [faith is important at Maryland].’ He told me he was Catholic, went to St. Mark’s church, which is right near the University of Maryland, and he has a devotion. He has a priest that comes in and says some things, and I really liked that about Maryland. [Friedgen] thought religion was a big thing, and I think it is for me.”

According to DeMatha head coach Bill McGregor, deSouza’s a great person off the field, and a promising prospect on it.

“Well I just think he’s improved each year,” McGregor said. “He’s worked hard and developed. I thought he had a real good junior year for us at left tackle. He’s working hard in the weight room. Pete is very goal-oriented. He wants to be successful and will do everything possible to make that happen for himself.”

McGregor thinks that while deSouza’s a good prospect now, he has all the potential in the world going forward.

“I just think his future’s in front of him,” McGregor said. “He has great feet, very good athleticism. Now what he really needs is lineman’s strength and I think that will come just by being with the program. Maryland has a tremendous weight room program and I think he’s going to be bigger and stronger as time goes on .”

deSouza, who’s interested in studying either psychology or communications, said he’s more confident now than ever that Maryland is the best fit for him.

“[Maryland] was the right choice,” deSouza said. “They were there in the beginning. I hung out there a lot and kind of got used to being there. ... Now I can just worry about my season for senior year and school, so I don’t have to worry about the pressure of choosing the school.”

Posted by Matt Bracken at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Former Terps point guard commitment Bobby Maze has made quite an impression on Tennessee fans.

The Suitland native and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College transfer has staked his claim on the Vols’ starting point guard job (see below), and recently offered his freestyle take on UT’s squad for the upcoming season on You Tube.

In the video, he also makes quick mention of his all-too-brief stint as a Maryland commitment.

B. Maze
Be amazed
This thing is not a game
Who am I to blame
Maryland never change

Credit to The Big Lead, via Loser With Socks, for the link.

On the court, Maze has impressed the local media in Tennessee with his performances in the Rocky Top League. After watching Maze at a summer league game last week, The Mountain Press’ Jason Davis said he was ready to ‘pencil him in to this fall's starting lineup.’

Although he only scored 14 points, Maze delivered nine assists and showed a great ability to penetrate the lane and find the open man.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about Maze was, in warm-ups he was taking mid-range jumpers and nailing them. Far too many modern players neglect the mid-range game in favor of jacking up ill-advised threes. Maze looked content to shoot the 15-footer, and he looked proficient at doing it. That's something UT needs.

Click on the YouTube player for highlights of Maze in the Rocky Top League.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Some people told L.A. Goree to take his time with recruiting and make several visits before reaching a decision.

Others wanted him to end the process early by staying close to home and playing for Maryland.

Goree carefully considered both options, but chose the latter scenario Friday, committing to the Terps over offers from Illinois, West Virginia, Michigan State, Syracuse and several others.

“I had known I already wanted to come to Maryland,” Goree said. “Other colleges like West Virginia and Illinois were two great schools, but I love Maryland and that’s where I wanted to go. I took a visit up there and it’s just getting better and better. Local guys keep coming to the team and we want to win a national championship.”

Goree, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound outside linebacker from C.H. Flowers High School in Prince George's County, grew up a Terps fan, hoping for a scholarship offer ever since he realized he could play Division I football earlier in his high school career.

“Everybody kept saying ‘you shouldn’t count on Maryland giving you an offer, because they only take the best’” Goree said. “But I knew I had a good chance because I had a pretty good junior season.”

According to The Gazette, Goree recorded “157 tackles (103 solo), nine sacks, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception” during his junior season.

Syracuse and Illinois were the first schools to offer Goree, while Maryland followed suit in early May. West Virginia came through with an offer earlier this month, and Goree even took a visit to Morgantown, W.Va. He considered taking a trip to Champaign, Ill., as well, but was already sold on playing for the school located just 15 minutes away from his home.

“[You] can win in front of your friends and family and have a good time doing it,” Goree said. “It means a lot to be the hometown guy playing there. When you play for Maryland you get to represent your city and state.”

Goree, who’s slated to play the strongside outside linebacker position for the Terps, hopes to contribute on special teams as a freshman. Goree said it’s a relief to be done with recruiting, and he can’t wait to suit up for UM.

“It’s like a relief off your shoulders ... because you know where you’re going -- you don’t have to worry about all that,” Goree said. “As a Maryland Terrapin, [it’s difficult] to think of myself as a high school senior. I’m going to think of myself as a Maryland Terrapin now.”

Click on the YouTube player for Goree’s highlight reel.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

... Maryland picked up two more verbal commitments for its 2009 football recruiting class. The class now has eight members.

DeMatha offensive tackle Pete deSouza and C.H. Flowers linebacker L.A. Goree both committed on Friday.

Click here for more info on both commitments, courtesy of The Washington Post's Josh Barr.

I’ll have a story on Goree shortly, and hopefully something on deSouza later this week.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Maryland’s summer football camp was in full swing this week, while the second session is set to kick off Monday.

Yahoo! Sports caught up with three prospects that mentioned the possibility of camping in College Park:

No. 1: Christian Kuntz, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound wide receiver from Camp Hill (Pa.) Trinity.

“My dad went to college and played at Maryland,” he said. “I’ve always had a thing for Maryland and grew up watching Notre Dame a lot too. Right now out of all the schools recruiting me though, UConn is on top.

“I am hearing from them, Notre Dame and Maryland. I’m looking at heading to a few more camps, Penn State Tuesday, Maryland Thursday, Virginia next Monday and Notre Dame at the end of June. They are all recruiting me heavily.”

No. 2: Brian Leffler, a 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker from The Hun School in Princeton, N.J.

“I have offers from Temple, Tulane and West Virginia,” he said. “Miami (Ohio), Army, William & Mary and Yale have offered. Yale offered me a spot on the team.

“Temple was fun, it was good to be on campus,” he said. “I’m going to take a visit to West Virginia sometime this month or in July. I’m going to camp at Northwestern and I might camp at Maryland and Rutgers too.

No. 3: Byron Parker, a 5-foot-11, 173-pound athlete recruit from Virginia Beach (Va.) Tallwood.

“I got my second offer last week from Temple on Tuesday,” he said. “I’m planning to go up there for camp this weekend and then to Maryland on Monday. I don’t know where I’m going after that.”

• The Gazette took a look at Montgomery County’s numerous DI football prospects, including Maryland targets Jason Ankrah, a defensive end from Quince Orchard, Travis Hawkins, a cornerback from Quince Orchard, Jelani Jenkins, a linebacker from Good Counsel and Caleb Porzel, a running back from Good Counsel. The story also mentions Terps safety commitment Avery Graham, who is completely sold on UM.

Clarksburg coach Larry Hurd on Graham: ‘‘Everybody has said they’d offer him. You name it, they’ve wanted to see him. I mean, look at him. ... Avery has been clear with everyone: He’s a Terp, and he’s going to be a Terp.”

• GoGamecocks.com offers its weekly look at South Carolina football targets. Per usual, several prospects with varying degrees of interest from Maryland are mentioned, including Blythewood, S.C., defensive end Justin Anderson, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., linebacker Matt Coffee and Roswell, Ga., defensive end Euclid Cummings. Anderson planned on coming to College Park for camp.

Blythewood coach Geremy Saitz said Anderson has offers from Georgia Southern, Newberry and Presbyterian, and verbal offers from Maryland and Georgia Tech. Anderson visited Georgia Tech about a month ago and plans to camp at Maryland and Virginia Tech.

• Terps offensive tackle signee R.J. Dill held his own in last weekend’s Pennsylvania-Ohio Big 33 game, according to The [Cumberland County, Pa.] Sentinel.

“(Those early points) were a big difference,” said Trinity offensive lineman R.J. Dill, who stifled an Ohio pass rush on the strong side, giving Sunseri enough time to find Aliquippa wideout Jonathan Baldwin for a 37-yard pass on Pennsylvania’s first offensive play of the game. “Guys like (Baldwin) made big plays for us, that helps.”

• Ending with one non-recruiting related link, Rivals.com college football writer Tom Dienhart identified five new offensive coordinators that enter pressure-filled situations this fall. New Terps offensive coordinator James Franklin was one of the five.

Maryland ranked 93rd in total offense in 2007, the season Franklin’s K-State offense became the first in school history to boast a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,500-yard receiver and a 1,000-yard rusher. Franklin, 36, faces the pressure of trying to sort out a muddled quarterback picture plus deal with the loss of two good running backs in Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

All eight of Team Melo's 2008 players will continue their basketball careers next year, coach Darrick Oliver said yesterday.

“They just competed against the top competition all summer,” said Oliver, who is now working with the AAU program's 12-and-under team. “Everybody was prepared [to play at the next level]. I’m just happy and thank God for that.”

Most of Team Melo’s commitments have been written about in this space. To recap, the club’s DI signees include Towson Catholic point guard Larry Bastfield (Toledo), Cardinal Gibbons point guard Jamar Briscoe (North Carolina Central), Towson Catholic forward Brandon Greene (Robert Morris) and, of course, St. Frances shooting guard Sean Mosley (Maryland).

Additionally, Erik Etherly, who starred for Annandale (Va.) High School but made the drive up to Baltimore for AAU play, inked with Northeastern last fall.

Rounding out Team Melo’s college-bound players are Loyola guard Sal Schittino and Mount St. Joseph forward Chris Olsen, both of whom are headed to Washington College.

The final Team Melo senior, Towson Catholic guard Vinny Breckinridge, will prep for a year at The Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C.

“They were a great group of kids that I had for four years,” Oliver said, “and it was one of my most ... enjoyable [times I’ve had] with a team. I had the same kids for four years, and for all of them to go to school was great.”

Posted by Matt Bracken at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

For the past eight years, Carroll Washington has been the quarterback.

From Pop Warner to the Edmondson varsity, Washington’s been used to running the show. The 6-foot, 185-pounder has played the position to high acclaim, throwing for nearly 1,800 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, while rushing for 434 yards and six scores, according to Rivals.com.

But with recruiting in full swing for the 2009 prospect, it’s become clear that Washington’s collegiate future lies at a position other than quarterback. His size and speed (4.46 hand-timed 40) have college coaches eyeing him as a cornerback or slot receiver.

For Washington, who’s still waiting on his first scholarship offer, changing positions in college is something he’s come to accept, and ultimately embrace.

Has it been difficult coming to the realization that you’ll probably play cornerback or slot, not quarterback, in college?

It took me a while to let that go. It took a lot of people to talk to me and make me realize it’s something I have to do to move on to the next level. It’s something I’ve got to do. There are a lot of colleges out there that said they like me better at [another] position. But I just want to be on the team and contribute as best as I can.

What schools are you hearing from?

Maryland, West Virginia, Rutgers, UConn, U.Va., Eastern Michigan, Delaware State, Akron, Boston College, Tennessee.

You’ve made unofficial visits to Rutgers and Maryland. How were those trips?

Rutgers, I went down there for a game and the fans were just off the wall. It just blew my mind because it was the first time being on a big college stage. The fans were nice -- they welcomed me in like I was one of the freshmen. It was just a special moment. ...

Maryland -- same thing -- blew my mind once again. Their campus is really huge. It’s very nice. It’s just amazing how the atmosphere changes from Baltimore to all the way down there [in College Park]. It’s very nice.

What are you hoping for in your performance at Maryland’s camp this week, and what have the Terps coaches told you?

I’m hoping to perform to my best ability, try out new things at defensive back and possibly even slot receiver. They told me at this point that I would look good at defensive back because that’s what they’re in need of. And my ability could fit them at cornerback.

You’re camping at West Virginia next week. What have those coaches told you?

They talked to me, and basically said they liked me at slot or [defensive back], but slot more because they need more receivers. Their receiving corps is kind of thin right now, so they think they could use me at slot.

Do you feel that these upcoming camps will make or break your recruiting picture?

Yes. I feel my future is based on these camps right now. It makes me feel like I have to go in there and give 110 percent on everything I do. Just walking in there, I’ll have to give 110 percent. ... Right now, [performing well at the camps is] all I’m worried about -- just selling out on everything I do. That’s just a must.

Credit: Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.

Click on the YouTube player for highlights from Washington's sophomore season.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

What The Sun‘s Don Markus wrote last week became official yesterday -- Gus Gilchrist is headed to South Florida.

Had Gilchrist stayed at Maryland, he would’ve been eligible to suit up for the Terps after the conclusion of the first semester. At USF, his eligibility status will be in the hands of the NCAA.

From South Florida’s official news release:

"Current NCAA rules will require Gus to sit a year in residency before he can compete,” said Steve Horton, Associate Director of Athletics/Compliance. “However, Compliance will begin working on a waiver request to the NCAA asking that Gus, due to a number of extenuating circumstances, be permitted to play immediately this upcoming academic year. We hope to have this request to the NCAA for their review by next week."

• TurtleSportsReport.com‘s Jeff Ermann caught up with recent Terps football commitment Ricky Hart.

Hart, an offensive guard from Folkston, Ga., told Ermann he chose Maryland for the opportunity to play early and for his connection with the coaching staff.

Of head coach Ralph Friedgen, he said, “Coach Friedgen is a big-time academic man. I was talking to Bruce Campbell about him, and he said if you come in and do what you’ve gotta do, you’ll be all right. You’ve got to study. They saw he was not trying to improve, so his relationship with coach Friedgen wasn’t getting nowhere. Now he’s working hard, and coach Friedgen is his best friend.”

• Scout.com updated its Scout 300 ranking yesterday. The list, which ranks the top 300 football prospects for the class of 2009, features several UM targets, including Dunbar running back Tavon Austin at No. 44.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
                    

The Army football program dipped into the Baltimore-area talent pool multiple times last year, signing three local prospects to its 2008 recruiting class.

Atholton linebacker/safety Geoff Easterling, Hereford running back Lonnie Liggins and Atholton running back Kelechi Odocha all signed with the Black Knights last February.

Here’s a look at how each player ended up choosing West Point.

The rival school

With his mother working at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and his grandfather an Air Force veteran, the military was always on the mind of Odocha during his childhood.

By the age of 10, Odocha had already made up his mind on where he wanted to go to college. He was sold on attending a military academy -- it just wasn’t West Point.

“I always wanted to go to Navy -- that was a dream of mine,” Odocha said. “They were talking to me and everything, but they never really called. I went to three of their games, and I was waiting for that to play out.”

Odocha, a standout sprinter for Atholton, piqued the interest of the Navy track and field coaching staff, which began recruiting him heavily. Navy’s football coaches, however, “never really responded“ to Odocha‘s interest in their program.

Meanwhile, Army began showing serious interest in Odocha. But with his mother working weekends, the five-hour drive to West Point for an official visit during the football season was out of the question. Luckily for Odocha, he was able to take an up-close look at the program before the Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium in December.

“Before they played [that weekend I got to meet] all the players, and that’s when [Army wide receivers coach] Dan Baranik gave the offer,” Odocha said. “[That experience] just made me feel at home. ... It just felt like a good fit for me.”

The experience pushed West Point to the forefront of Odocha’s mind, but the opportunity to run track at Navy was still a possibility.

“The Navy coach was like, ‘you’re going through the admission board and I’ll call you back in a week.’ [I thought] if he doesn’t call back, I’ll go and commit to Army,” Odocha said. “A couple weeks later, a Navy letter shows up at the house. And it was the acceptance letter to the Naval Academy Prep School. That was my dream and my goal. It was a bummer, but I knew that if I would’ve went there it wouldn’t have been what I imagined. ... [Plus, the Navy] track coach wanted me to run ... but I really wanted to play football.”

The week after the Army-Navy game, Baranik paid Odocha and Easterling a visit at Atholton and reiterated his desire for both players to come to West Point. While Easterling needed a little more time, Odocha made his commitment -- and hasn’t doubted his choice since.

“It’s a good feeling just because for the next five years, [I’m going to play in the Army-Navy game],” Odocha said. “Hopefully we’ll come [to Annapolis] and start beating them, because I’m from Maryland and wanted to go to their school. So it’s going to be a good feeling.”

The best fit

Easterling and Odocha first met each other and became good friends at Wilde Lake Middle School. The friendship continued through high school, with both playing football and participating in Atholton’s ROTC program.

While Odocha was completely focused on a military career, Easterling became more receptive to the academy lifestyle over time.

“I did a lot of military things [growing up],” Easterling said. “I spent three summers at Valley Forge Military Academy [in Wayne, Pa.]. I did three years of ROTC and it gave me a lot of discipline. So I would never have considered myself as someone gung-ho about the military, but it’s always been around and I just became accustomed to it.”

When Army started recruiting Easterling, he was immediately interested. Lehigh eventually offered a football scholarship, Towson wanted him to walk on and Ohio Dominican gave him an academic scholarship. But the allure of West Point and playing Division I football was strong from the start.

“I was never like, ‘OK, [Army is] my top choice,’ as soon [the coaches] walked in the door,” Easterling said. “My dream school was Penn State or Clemson, all these crazy places, but it’s Division I football, so I was flattered that a Division I school was walking in the door and had something to say to me.”

Easterling, who contributed 66 tackles, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two blocked kicks during an injury-shortened senior season, made many of his recruiting trips with Odocha. But he took one visit to West Point without his friend. That October trip ultimately stood out above the rest.

“Kelechi and I, we went on a lot of trips together,” Easterling said. “I think there was only one time I went alone. It was after the Reservoir game, when I had hurt my knee. I went up there just to check out a game. I jacked up my knee, but they still told me I was their guy, and that’s when I told my parents [that I was thinking about committing]. They didn’t even care that my knee was messed up. They were still willing to take me on.”

While Easterling had a high level of comfort at West Point, he let Signing Day pass without inking with the Black Knights. Easterling said he just wanted to be deliberate with his decision. Four days after the date, Easterling signed his letter of intent.

“I just wanted to make sure it was the best deal for me and my family,” Easterling said. “Lehigh had offered, and a couple other places [were talking about offering]. It turned out [Army was] willing to wait for me, which made me even more comfortable with my decision.”

The right position

Liggins was the most heavily recruited of Army’s Maryland trio, but most of the attention came at a position he wanted no part of at the next level.

“A lot of people talked to me, but they wanted me to play defense and I wanted to stick with a school that strictly wanted me as a running back,” Liggins said. “Navy came, Maryland wanted me to play defensive back and I basically told them I didn’t want to play defensive back, so they didn’t come all the way through [with an offer].”

Duke and James Madison eventually offered, while Indiana and West Virginia also recruited Liggins for defensive back. But if Liggins ever had any doubts about his ability to play running back in college, they were erased last spring.

“Army [started recruiting me] after I won the Nike Penn State camp,” Liggins said. “That was like May 10. I won the running back award there. I think the week after that they called my coach and offered me.”

Liggins put together a spectacular senior season for Hereford, rushing for 1,321 yards and 23 touchdowns. His efforts earned him a spot on The Sun‘s All-Metro first team. Still, Army was the only school that remained convinced of Liggins’ potential at running back.

“I’ve been playing running back for all my life, so why would I change it?” Liggins said. “I wouldn’t be happy if I was putting all this effort into a position I didn’t want to play.”

Eventually, Liggins had to decide what mattered most to him -- playing defensive back at another DI school, or sticking with running back at Army. Liggins said he had never really considered attending a military academy, so it was a difficult decision. A visit to West Point helped alleviate most of his concerns.

“I had to kind of be sold [on visiting West Point],” Liggins said. “I kind of didn’t want to go, but my mom told me to just check it out and see how it would be. … they just never brought up the whole situation of playing defensive back and that’s what I liked. I didn’t want to play defense at all and [they never mentioned it]. They said I could do this and that, and I’d be set for the rest of my life when I graduate from there.”

Liggins was sold and committed to Army in January. Now he said he’s looking forward to getting back on the field and proving the Army coaches right by eventually making an impact at running back.

“I’m just ready to have fun and start this whole new season, meet these new kids and go up against the top competition.”

Next year

Easterling, Liggins and Odocha will spend the upcoming school year at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School in Fort Monmouth, N.J., playing football, going to school and getting acclimated to the military lifestyle.

“I mean it’s just getting ready and running and lifting,” Odocha said. “Just changing my mindset from high school to learning military training and military discipline. It’s a different mindset.”

The football team at West Point Prep will play a schedule that includes matchups with Army’s junior varsity squad, Navy Prep and several other schools.

“They expect me to come from prep school and compete for the starting spot,” Liggins said. “So I’ve just got to keep in shape, do what I have to do at prep school and get it done.”

The Maryland trio will report to New Jersey by July 18 -- better known as Reception Day. That’s when the military, academic and football careers for Easterling, Liggins and Odocha will commence.

“It’s just a short summer,” Easterling said, “but it’s a small sacrifice considering I’m going to West Point and I’ll get to play Division I football next year.”

Credits: Sun photo of Kelechi Odocha by Kim Hairston; Photo of Geoff Easterling courtesy of Rivals.com; Sun photo of Lonnie Liggins by Elizabeth Malby.

Posted by Matt Bracken at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)