“The kid was a junior and had so much potential, and it was just getting him to believe and have confidence in his abilities,” Mencarini said. “It wasn’t until this offseason where he grew physically. It was a pretty big turnaround in the offseason in terms of his growth. From Day One, fall camp until the last game of the year, he’s been one of the best football players in the state. If he had done this well from the start, he would’ve had a dozen [FBS] offers. We’re happy that Maryland saw what we all saw in him, and are obviously very excited that he’ll be a Terp.”

Mencarini updated Terps defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Dave Sollazzo on Twine’s progress throughout the fall, sending film to College Park after QO’s third game. At the SAM linebacker position, Twine proved to be a disruptive force for the Cougars, earning Washington Post first-team All-Met honors and being named Montgomery County’s 3A Defensive Player of the Year.

As Twine continued to produce on the field, Maryland’s interest in the unranked prospect rose. Twine visited Byrd Stadium for the Wake Forest and Florida State games, and took his official trip to Maryland last weekend, where he was officially offered the scholarship. It was a moment Twine didn’t expect to happen – until he experienced some senior-season success.

“Once I got my first offer from UMass, I felt there was more to come,” Twine said. “Once I got one, I [thought I] can’t just take it easy. I wanted to keep pushing. I wanted the offers that were out there. … It was Coach [Mencarini] that made me believe.”

Twine came to Mencarini’s program as a “tall, lanky corner that grew” into the linebacker he is today. Even while Twine served time as a backup, Mencarini saw that the potential for big things was there.

“He’s got that ability where he hits you, and you just know he’s a Division I football player,” Mencarini said. “He knows how to use leverage and use his hips when he tackles. And he can run. He just turned 17 years old last Thursday. He’s 210 pounds, a hair under 6-1, so he’s maybe a little undersized for a linebacker. But athletically speaking, his best days of football are definitely ahead.”

Next fall Twine will become the third former Quince Orchard star to suit up for Maryland, joining defensive back Travis Hawkins and defensive tackle Zachariah Kerr. Twine said he’s relieved to have made his commitment and is excited to team up with his fellow Cougars in College Park.

“This is one of my dreams – to play Division I football, especially in my home state,” Twine said. “I’m going to work hard and there’s nothing that can stop me from being what everyone wants me to be and thinks I can be. Coach [Mencarini] told me that I can’t just prove it to people one season. Just because I have one big season, that’s not what I’m about. I’m going to excel from here, work to get better and better every season.”