Superlatives for Maryland's 2011 football class
One man's opinion on the potential of Maryland's 2011 football commitments. Post your takes below.
Most wanted: Given to the most heavily recruited Maryland commitments.
OFFENSE
Nigel King — Oak Ridge Military Academy (N.C.), wide receiver
King appeared bound for Baton Rouge even before Signing Day last winter. The 6-foot-4, 201-pound wide receiver almost pledged to LSU in December of 2009, but held off from making a commitment when Tigers wide receivers coach D.J. McCarthy resigned. Colorado, East Carolina, Louisville, North Carolina, North Carolina State and South Carolina took advantage of that opening by coming after King, but the three-star prospect committed to the Terps in April. King, who graduated from high school in December and enrolled at Maryland last month, had 732 yards receiving and eight touchdowns last fall.
DEFENSE
Quinton Jefferson — Woodland Hills (Pa.), defensive end
Randy Edsall’s first recruit at Maryland picked the Terps over Cincinnati and Iowa. A 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end, Jefferson also held offers from Boston College, Illinois, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia and Wisconsin, according to Rivals.com. “Physically, he’s nowhere near where he’s going to be,” said Bob Lichtenfels, Scout.com’s East region recruiting analyst. “He has a chance to be a pretty special kid. Once he gets in the strength and conditioning program, if he redshirts and is able to build up his body, I think he has a very high ceiling.”
Most likely to contribute early: Given to the recruits most likely to see the field as true freshmen
OFFENSE
Tyrek Cheeseboro — Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, wide receiver
Praise doesn’t come easy from John Shuman, but the Fork Union coach was exceedingly complimentary when describing Cheeseboro’s play this fall. “He did well catching the ball, stretching the field,” Shuman said in December. “He was also our jet sweep guy. We put him in motion and gave him the ball. He was a very pleasant guy to work with, always excited about practice, always wanted to get better. We really, really think he’s a fine prospect.” With a post-grad season under his belt and the departures of four scholarship wide receivers – including Torrey Smith and Adrian Cannon -- Cheeseboro should find himself in the mix for early action.
DEFENSE
Keith Bowers — Dwyer (Fla.), defensive tackle
The Terps stayed involved with Bowers throughout the coaching transition, with defensive coordinator Don Brown serving as the point man for the three-star prospect’s recruitment. Bowers is undersized at 6-1, but more than makes up for his size deficiency with a non-stop motor and impressive footwork. Bowers, who played for one of the premier high school programs in Florida, is an emotional player who “plays with the good kind of rage,” according to the Palm Beach Post’s Matt Porter. While the Terps have decent defensive depth across the board and probably won’t be forced to burn any redshirts, Bowers is mature enough physically to see time if Maryland needs him.
Most likely to be a multi-year starter
OFFENSE
Tyler Cierski — Mill Creek (Ga.), fullback
ESPN.com’s No. 2 fullback in the country could give the Terps an offensive threat at the position that they’ve lacked since the graduation of Cory Jackson. Known for his size (6-1, 255 pounds) and strength (605 squat, 345 clean lift, 315 bench max), Cierski is a punishing blocker and surprisingly nimble runner. The three-star prospect proved last fall that he was more than just a blocking back, rushing for 755 yards and 11 touchdowns on 143 carries, while also catching 16 passes for 187 yards and two scores. A ready-made college prospect, Cierski said Edsall told him he has a chance to compete for playing time immediately.
DEFENSE
Makinton Dorleant — Lely (Fla.), cornerback
When Dorleant decided to withdraw his commitment to Wisconsin, Don Brown was the first coach he called. With the three-star prospect’s pledge, Maryland landed a lockdown corner who Lely coach Dave Miller always felt confident in matching up against the opposition’s No. 1 receiver. J.C. Shurburtt, national recruiting analyst for 247Sports.com, called Dorleant “the steal” of Maryland’s 2011 class. “He’s sort of a sleeper cornerback prospect that I think could end up being a big contributor,” Shurburtt said.
Most likely to overachieve: Given to the overlooked recruits that exceeded expectations during the high school season.
OFFENSE
Andrew Zeller — Red Lion (Pa.), offensive lineman
With scholarships from Duke, Maryland, Oregon and Rutgers offered before the fall, it would be inaccurate to say Zeller was overlooked by colleges. But while expectations were high for Zeller entering his senior season, the three-star prospect did his best last fall to exceed even the most optimistic predictions for his year. At offensive guard, Zeller paved the way for a dominant Red Lion rushing attack. At defensive tackle, he was an unblockable force that finished the season with 67 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks. "Andrew Zeller is a kid that has a really big frame and can really run block," said Scout.com recruiting analyst Matt Alkire. "He’s an enormous kid. [The Terps have] got a big, big, big body in him, and he’ll be another kid they use. Randy [Edsall] loves to run the ball."
DEFENSE
Cole Farrand — Pope John XXIII (N.J.), linebacker
Maryland was the first school to offer Farrand a scholarship, which the two-star prospect promptly accepted last April. A fiery leader and physical player, Farrand helped Pope John to a 10-1 record with 78 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception returned for a touchdown, plus three touchdown receptions at tight end. "He’s kind of that field general type of kid," Alkire said. "Not a whole lot of people at Maryland are even talking about him. He’s probably the unsung player in the class, but I think he could be a real nice player for them."
Most underrated: Given to the recruits with the best chance at making their recruiting rankings look silly four years from now.
OFFENSE
Evan Mulrooney — Salesianum School (Del.), offensive lineman
Rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, Mulrooney will probably play center in college, but he also has experience playing both guard spots and right tackle. That versatility should serve him well with the Terps after he spends a couple of years in the weight room. "He’s a really good player, a hard worker, has a great attitude and is a leader on the field," Alkire said. "He’s got a little bit of work to do on the field. All these kids do – all linemen do coming out of high school. He played for a very competitive program and championship team in Delaware. I had him in an All-Star game against 30 or 40 FBS players, and he really held his own."
DEFENSE
Alex Twine — Quince Orchard, linebacker
Twine was completely off the Football Bowl Subdivision recruiting radar entering his senior year, mostly because he was just an occasional starter for the Cougars as a junior. The two-star prospect responded to the full-time starting job at SAM linebacker last fall with a Washington Post first-team All-Met season that included 52 tackles (18 for loss), four forced fumbles and three interceptions. “I think he has a big upside,” said Quince Orchard defensive coordinator John Kelley. “He just turned 17 years old. Most kids aren’t going to mature until they hit that growth spurt, and at 18 or 19 they gain more strength in the weight room. For him, he just played the whole year at 16. Most guys that are 16 are sophomores, maybe juniors. His best football is without question ahead of him.”
The rest of the class
OFFENSE
Nate Clarke – Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, offensive lineman
A 2010 signee out of Archbishop Carroll in Washington, Clarke shored up his academics at FUMA during the fall before enrolling at Maryland last month. The Terps' lone four-star prospect, Clarke battled nagging injuries at prep school but finished strong, according to Fork Union coach John Shuman. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Farrell said "Clarke is probably the highest-rated kid and has the most upside [in Maryland's class] because he can play offensive or defensive line for you."
Ryan Doyle – Wake Forest-Rolesville (N.C.), offensive lineman
Doyle specialized in run blocking at the high school level thanks to the Cougars' Wing-T offense. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound left tackle teamed with Wake Forest commitment Dylan Intemann -- who played right tackle -- to form one of the most dominant lines in North Carolina. "I think Ryan was just consistent," said Cougars coach Reggie Lucas. "He’s been pretty consistent the last two seasons for us.”
Stephen Grommer – Spartanburg (S.C.), offensive guard
A 4.0 student who also considered Harvard, Grommer was a three-year starter on the Spartanburg offensive line. He graded out in the mid-to-high 90s on his blocks as a senior. Shurburtt was impressed by Grommer at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas Game. "He’s probably going to need a redshirt, but he could be a three- or four-year starter. He has great potential," Shurburtt said.
Marcus Leak – Parkwood (N.C.), wide receiver
Leak missed four games last fall with a high-ankle sprain, but still managed 305 rushing yards and two touchdowns, 200 yards receiving and another score, plus 30 tackles defensively in his jack-of-all-trades role. Parkwood coach Nelson Rowell compared Leak to New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.
Brandon Ross – Charter School of Wilmington (Del.), running back
The Force's offensive game plans started and ended with Ross, who rushed for 1,172 yards and 12 touchdowns on 181 carries, in addition to catching 19 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns. A strong student who had aspirations of attending Maryland even without football in the equation, Ross committed to the Terps in June over offers from Army and Delaware State.
DEFENSE
Undray Clark – Felix Varela (Fla.), cornerback
Clark opened his senior year with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on Varela's first play of the season. A speedy defensive back and special-teams standout for the Vipers, Clark finished the fall with 72 tackles, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and two kickoff returns for touchdowns. The three-star prospect (according to Rivals.com) picked the Terps over offers from Duke, Louisville and Minnesota.
Lukas Foreman – Naples (Fla.), safety
Foreman landed his Maryland offer as a sophomore, but considered scholarships from Cincinnati, Kansas, Middle Tennessee State and West Virginia before pledging to the Terps in December. A three-star prospect who Shurburtt called "a very physical safety," Foreman finished his senior season with 59 tackles (45 solo), two interceptions and one forced fumble. He also punted for a 40.07-yard average.
Jeremiah Hendy – Bowie, cornerback
The Terps received huge news on Signing Day Eve when Hendy reaffirmed his commitment to Maryland. The three-star prospect and Rivals.com's No. 8 prospect in Maryland also considered offers from Iowa, North Carolina State and Virginia. Hendy, who was also a candidate for the "Most wanted" and "Most likely to be a multi-year starter" superlatives, might have the highest upside of any recruit in Maryland's class. "He’s tall and he can run, he’s lanky and long," Farrell said. "And he’s the type of kid that I think can be a special player for them."
Michael Williams – DeMatha, cornerback
The younger brother of Terps great and Minnesota Vikings safety Madieu Williams committed to Maryland in December over offers from Illinois, Miami (Ohio), New Mexico and Toledo. Williams has sprinter's speed and has played against top competition during his three years on the Stags' varsity. Priority No. 1 for Williams in college will be adding muscle to his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame.
Comments
Are there any MD targets that have yet to sign that we should be paying attention to today?
Posted by: aawade | February 2, 2011 6:48 AM
Nice update but would prefer to see Height, weight, 40 time for skill positions in your reviews.
Posted by: Mike Hughes | February 2, 2011 7:48 AM
aawade -- Hendy was the big one to watch. There's always the possibility of a Signing Day surprise, but I don't know of any specific names to watch.
Mike Hughes -- That's a fair point. For now, you can just click on the player's name for all that info, but in the future I can incorporate that stuff into this post.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | February 2, 2011 8:03 AM
Doesn't seem like Randy brought any UCONN recruits over to Md. We lost our share to Vandy and just decommits. After reading about each kid individually, I'm feeling better about the class. Next year we'll need a stud RB for Randy and an heir at QB.
Posted by: Mark Davis | February 2, 2011 8:21 AM
The #2 recruit in the country, Cyrus Kouandjio, is 6'7, 322 lbs offensive tackle. He is from Hyattsville, yet Maryland isn't even in his TOP FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Joe | February 2, 2011 8:44 AM
by all "experts" accounts, another less than dazzling class for UMD. UMD will ALWAYS LOSE BIG TIME RECRUITS TO PENN STATE, VA TECH, UVA AND THE LIKE! Just a proven fact, decade after decade...look it up.
Posted by: kevin | February 2, 2011 9:26 AM
I don't know if "superlative" is the right word for a recruiting class that is currently rated as the 47th best in the nation by Rivals.com. UMd is also behind 8 other ACC schools in those same ratings. That doesn't exactly fill me full of hope.
@Joe--do you seriously expect the #2 ranked national prospect to go to College Park??? Why would he? Unless he is a total mama's boy that doesn't want to leave home, it would be idiotic for him to commit to Maryland. The guy is apparently a legit prospect and needs to be at a major football school where he can go against the best in the country and learn how to win. Those things do not happen at Maryland. Not a dig on MD, just the facts.
Posted by: Jeff | February 2, 2011 10:02 AM
@Joe:
Maryland did go after him and was included in his list of schools being considered and remained in the mix until he reduced it to his final cuts.
Posted by: Terp'nTexas | February 2, 2011 10:25 AM
UMD gets"the punter" out of N'ville...awesome!!! look out schools with directions in your name such as SW LA....here come the Terps!!!
Posted by: kevin | February 2, 2011 10:30 AM
Tyler Cierski - FB's must be an ignored position by some recruiting "guru's" or opinions must really be split on this kid ... I know ESPN is high on him, but I have seen other recruiting websites not even give him a rating... and the AJC does not even mention him in any of their recruiting coverage... which is extensive nearly year round, he is not ranked anywhere in the top 50 players in the state.
Posted by: Sean | February 2, 2011 10:53 AM
Wow, this is from good to great? Are you kidding me? What happened to the decommits from UConn or Pitt? Didn't we just hire a whole bunch of coaches from Pitt that recruited in the area? Where are the 4 star and 5 star recruits? It looks like those luxury boxes will be filling up soon. This class looks boring, just like Edsall, just like everything will be for the next six years until the alums want something more than a 6-6 or 7-5 team every year. I'll stick by my guns that not hiring Leach was a dumb move.
Posted by: ebe | February 2, 2011 11:07 AM
ebe ... Edsall has been here a month... most of his staff only a couple weeks. Your not going to see any results recruiting wise out of them until next year. It would have be no different with any other new coach. As for 4 or 5 star recruits, you are living in a dream world if you think Maryland is going to attract any but the occasional one.. heck, there was only one 5 star recruit in the whole state this year.
Posted by: Sean | February 2, 2011 11:25 AM
Matt,
AGAIN - THANKS for the detailed information. Sorry you have to read the whiny comments from those who only care to see the negatives in life.
We may have less "homegrown" talent and four-five star talent than everyone wants but considering our 2009 record (when the relationships were established)and the drama & change surrounding our coaching staff, I think we'll be OK.
As you and others have stated: This years class isnt as important when it comes to impact players - its more about filling needs and backups for the future. Next year's recruiting class will be a much better guage of what Coach Edsall and staff will be able to do to improve recruiting.
Brown, Bratton, and Hull held together much of this year's class - that Franklin had a hand in - and Edsal was not only able to keep most of these kids, he also has pulled in at least two others and hopefully one or more surprises today.
Past recruiting problems and issues are in the past. Lets give RE time to see what he can do to improve things. Its not going to happen overnight and its not going to change the minds of players like Cyrus Kouandjio who ghave always been more interested in playing in the SEC than the ACC. I think we'll get our fair share of local and quality players in the future under Edsall.
In the meantime, we have a lot of returning starting talent and backups who are ready to start contributing and we should have a very good season.
Lets not whine about what we dont have and focus on what we do have - the biggest plus about every recruiting class is these kids want to be at Maryland. God bless 'em. Welcome to CP. Proud to call you a Terp!!
Looking forward to the MGN Recruiting Celebration tonite!!
GO TERPS!!!
Posted by: Terps6 | February 2, 2011 11:28 AM
What I would love to know is how many of these recruits are (a) likely to qualify academically and (b) likely to stay eligible for 4 years.
After the signing day hoopla is over, many of the 4 and 5-star recruits are never able to contribute to the school they signed with.
Posted by: KD Wiz | February 2, 2011 11:39 AM
UMD only lost 1 recruit to Vandy albeit a big one in Larry Mazcyk 6'6 350 OL.
I think 1 other guy was considering UMD and included Vandy on the list.
Posted by: Darren | February 2, 2011 11:41 AM
Keith Bowers is top local kid down here #22 in Palm Beach County. Dwyer is Big Time FL x-state champs. VaTech has the Atlantic HS connection in County, but Dwyer can be a Major Terp recruiting school.
Coach Edsall, come on down! Have kid from Suncoast HS (broke Devin Hester's rccords); we'll head to Pahokee & Belle Glade where 20+ NFL players come from.
AlexTheTerp - Maryland '77
West Palm Beach FL
Posted by: AlexTheTerp | February 2, 2011 11:54 AM
I'm really excited about our incoming class! Especially Alex Twine from QO, my old high school!
Looking forward to tonight's recruiting celebration in CP.
Posted by: Mike F | February 2, 2011 12:39 PM
W E A K
Posted by: Sizemo | February 2, 2011 12:55 PM
LOL@Ebe get a grip
Mazcyk isn't signing with anyone and will go to Prep School.
FL LB Jimmy Stewart decommitted from the Terps and signed with Vandy. Odd decision but wish him and Franklin luck.
One thing I love, 5 olinemen signed! Should be like this every year. Hopefully Edsall looks up the 06-07 class at UMD and sees what not having OL depth can do to a team (09).
A great Oline, and you can play with most any team in college. Plus, Olinemen are very hard to measure out of high school. I think between the 5 kids this year plus Garcia and Conaboy last year, we might have some great oline depth in 2012,2013.
Posted by: BuddhaUMD | February 2, 2011 2:06 PM
Class rankings are way overrated at this point. Keep in mind, we had a QB on our roster for two years who was the #2 ranked HS prospect, yet Josh Portis saw very little playing time.
So much of scouting and ranking goes into how a player fits the "mold" of what a college player should be at his position. We are spending too much time focusing on 10th grage kids who are already "full sized" and not enough consideration for the great players who are still growing in HS. Paul Pinegar fits that mold. He was an unheralded linemen in HS, yet played all four years at MD.
Most young men are far from finished growing at 17-18 when they are recruited. And many look totally different four years later.
Also, let's give coach Edsall and his staff a break. They've been here barely 30 days. Many committed here or elsewhere, long before.
Let's hope that over the next few years, they are able to bring in more of the top local talent.
Let's go TERPS!
Posted by: jimbo56 | February 2, 2011 2:38 PM
Look way too much emphasis on the number "stars" the services assigned HS kids. How many "4" stars recruits did Wake have the year the won the ACC? How many stars did Meggett, Vellano, Fulper & Matt Robinsion have coming onboard? A lot of these kids peak before they arrive in college.. You cannot teach height, speed or moves other than that it is all about COACHING the kids to their potential....
Posted by: ngaterp | February 2, 2011 4:26 PM
Matt,
All of these players had already committed. Was Renfro the only player who signed today, or did we pick up any other new recruits?
Posted by: PeteyPablo | February 2, 2011 4:30 PM
I agree with Buddha about the OLine, defiantly a step in the right direction considering the last few years several starters were former walk-on's.
Posted by: Sean | February 2, 2011 4:38 PM
the Dorleant kid from Fl is more than a "stretch" in this fan's mind. He was thrown off of his team during the season, and has not prepared himself for an academic life at UM. He was dropped by Wisc., Iowa St., Clemson, and others in the last months. It will be a shock if he even qualifies.
Posted by: oldschool72 | February 2, 2011 7:00 PM
Matt,
Has anyone ever done an analysis of signing rankings versus end of career rankings? It would be interesting to see the development of players, which is more important to me and in the end how Maryland will have to compete. Good scouting/evaluation of future upside and then good coaching to get that upside.
Should be pretty simple with access to the right databases to run a report for the last ten years on all 2-5 star players. Would like to see how Edsall has done with what he has gotten in past.
Posted by: wgmeisheid | February 3, 2011 2:37 PM
wgmeisheid -- That's a good idea. I'll probably revisit Maryland's 2007 class at some point, and maybe look back at what Edsall did at UConn.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | February 3, 2011 4:11 PM
I was the runningback for red lion for the past 2 seasons with Andrew zeller and the kid Is one he'll of a ball player any RB who follows him through the is blessed...when he would lead up through the hole everyone would scatter!!!!
Posted by: Jeremy knaub | February 3, 2011 11:20 PM
Interesting to look back through past superlative lists here (2008-2010 are available if you search 'superlative') and see what was being said about guys when they signed.
To be honest, with the exception of Tate, Mackall, Adams, and Meggett, plus an offensive linemen or two, there aren't a lot of contributors in the bunch who were highly touted coming out of HS. There are some pleasant surprises - O'Brien and some of the O-linemen, notably - but by the looks of it, Maryland needs to take its recruiting up a notch.
Posted by: Dave | February 4, 2011 1:20 PM
I watched Tyler Cierski play twice this past year.the kid is an absolute beast.Fullbacks are classified as rb's in GA. Not sure if all states do this. I would imagine it would be tough to make a mark on top lists as a rb when you are blocking most of the time.when his team played my son's team in the playoffs, the KID beat us. He was mostly used as a rb and ran all over us. From what I'm told, and the other time I saw him play, he was used as a blocking fb. Just my 2 cents.
I'll be watching Maryland now with Tyler on the team. My son also played with him on an all star team this year and said he is an awesome kid. I think he will suprise a lot of people in Maryland.
Posted by: ben | February 13, 2011 12:27 PM