Ryan Schlieper returned home weary yesterday after spending more than 12 hours at North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford, Pa.

The 6-foot-5, 278-pound offensive tackle kicked off his senior season by completing his second session of three-a-days. It started with defensive practice from 8 a.m. to 10:30, followed by offensive work from 1:30 p.m. to 4 and culminating with a pad-less team walk-through from 6 to 8.

“I’m dead,” Schlieper said when asked how he felt.

But despite his exhaustion, Schlieper came home with a clear mind, focused solely on high school football and not at all on college or recruiting.

Three days before, Schlieper was able to end all lingering thoughts of his recruitment by committing to Maryland. Schlieper chose the Terps over offers from Connecticut, West Virginia, Central Florida, Florida International, Miami (OH), Temple and several others.

Schlieper picked up his Maryland offer in June, which came as somewhat of a shock.

“It was a big surprise,” Schlieper said. “At the time I was getting recruited by some smaller schools and I had one Big East offer, and all of a sudden I got an offer from Maryland and I was like, ‘wow.’”

Schlieper visited College Park later in the summer and was immediately impressed with UM’s “beautiful campus.” He also began forging a solid relationship with his recruiter, Terps wide receivers coach Lee Hull.

Schlieper had quietly narrowed his list to Maryland and UConn, with the Terps holding an edge. UM remained at the top of his list throughout the summer. With three-a-days right around the corner, Schlieper ended things on Saturday.

“It was one of my goals. I really wanted to have it set before my camp started,” Schlieper said. “I was thinking about committing for awhile, but I just wanted to pull the trigger ... and make the right decision, so I took my time and made the call.”

North Allegheny head coach Art Walker Jr., said in Schlieper, Maryland’s getting a versatile offensive lineman.

“Ryan’s an offensive tackle, but he can play guard as well,” Walker said. “He runs well and has good athleticism for his size. ... He’s a great kid on and off the field.”

Schlieper, who is considering a major in education at UM, is Maryland’s second 2009 commitment from Pennsylvania, joining Seneca Valley quarterback C.J. Brown. The future teammates will square off when their rival schools meet Sept. 26.

For now, Schlieper will continue three-a-days, battling heat and fatigue on a daily basis, before returning home each night with the knowledge that his college plans are all set.

“It feels good getting everything over and having everything set in stone.”