Weekly recruiting roundup
The Maryland men's basketball roster got a little bigger Thursday with Berend Weijs' commitment to the Terps.
The 6-foot-10, 210-pound center from Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pa., was a late discovery by the Terps' staff. InsideMDSports.com caught up with Weijs soon after his pledge. The Netherlands native explained how a random trip to play pickup ball in College Park three weeks ago led to his Maryland commitment.
At that point Weijs wasn’t expecting anything to come out of playing—just some experience. But he asserted himself against Maryland’s players, and they began talking. They told the Terps’ coaching staff, which is not allowed to be present for pickup games, that Weijs could play.
About a week later, Weijs returned to participate again. Same result. Freshman center Jordan Williams, Weijs said, was particularly impressed. The staff invited Weijs to take an official visit this week.
Football recruiting
• Maryland was the first program to offer Hollywood Hills (Fla.) offensive lineman Jared Maldonado a scholarship.
“I was excited because our defensive end Clarence Murphy is going there,” he said of the offer. “So it’s always good getting an offer from someone you look up to. He plays D-Line and he’s going to Maryland next so it’s exciting.”
• The Terps were also first to offer Michael Williams, a cornerback from DeMatha.
“They are still one of my choices right now,” he said. “I’m still trying to focus on getting better and seeing what other schools are doing, but they are one of my choices.”
• The Washington Post's Josh Barr checked in this week with North Point linebacker Connor Crowell, who said he's in no rush to commit.
Crowell holds eight scholarship offers and visited half of those schools this spring, taking trips to Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio State and West Virginia.
• The Detroit Free Press' Matt Dorsey reports that Good Counsel defensive lineman and Maryland target Vincent Croce has two Big Ten schools and an ACC program on top.
The 6-foot-4, 260 pounder visited the Spartans a few weeks ago and was impressed with the school and program. Croce said the Spartans, Wolverines and Virginia Cavaliers top his list. All three schools have offered Croce a scholarship, as have a dozen other BCS programs.
• PennLive.com has notes on several Terps targets who are scheduled to attend a Rivals.com combine in Palmyra, Pa., on Sunday.
Speedster running back Lafayette Pitts of Woodland Hills High, who holds offers from Pittsburgh, WVU, Maryland and Iowa.
Comments
...and the Tar Heels just got smaller. The Wear twins have announced their transfer from UNC (new destination, while likely on the West Coast, is still unknown). Now, it's pretty clear why UNC was also looking at Weijs. This signing appears to have served the double effect at bolstering the Terps' front line while depriving a conference rvial from strengthening its own. Good ol' Roy's just got to be twisting in the wind a little right now regarding his front court depth.
Posted by: Terp'nTexas | May 16, 2010 10:29 AM
Matt - Thanks for this behind-the-scenes look at what went into signing Weiis. Let's hope that the thumbs-up on his play from Jordan and other Terps will be enough to silence some of the Gary bashers. Looks like Berend could be a very nice addition to the team.
Posted by: Ken Francis | May 17, 2010 9:14 AM