Maryland offers scholarship to Gilman QB Cockerille
No. 1 Gilman may have lost its showdown against Good Counsel at the Patriot Classic on Saturday night, but the Greyhounds have already reaped some benefits from that high-profile game.
Maryland football coach Randy Edsall attended the matchup between the top two teams in the state, and on Monday he offered scholarships to Gilman's junior quarterback Shane Cockerille (above) and sophomore defensive end/wide receiver Melvin Keihn.
It's the first offer for both players, Gilman assistant coach Henry Russell said.
Cockerille -- who grew up minutes away from Gilman's campus -- transferred to the school this year after playing last season at DeMatha. Through three games, he's rushed for 414 yards and completed about 80 percent of his passes.
Russell said Edsall wasn't specific in what position the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Cockerille would be recruited to play, as he could also fit in as a defensive back or wide receiver.
"Edsall loves his toughness," said Russell, who pointed out that Cockerille also wrestles, and that his teammates call him "Tebow" because he "likes to run you over."
Russell said Edsall was impressed with Keihn's size (6-2, 220) and his speed for that frame (4.55 seconds in the 40).
Keihn was named to the U.S. Air Force 2010 Freshman All-American Team last year.
In his first year with the Terps, Edsall drew some criticism this summer for failing to make early contact with DeMatha, a traditional state power. But his attendance at Saturday's game -- and the resulting scholarship offers -- indicate that he intends to go after the best players in the region.
"He came down and talked to coach [Biff] Poggi before the game," Russell said. "It was just an honor to have him at the game. It's definitely great to have a coach that's out there recruiting our kids and our area in general. And it's exciting for Maryland fans to have a coach that wants to keep this talent here."
Gilman star athlete Cyrus Jones is also considering Maryland along with nine other schools.
Comments
Nice! A win-win for MD kids to become Terps. Be an in-state hero and build your network for after your football days are over. The top kids in the state need to step up, be leaders, go to UM, other will follow. No reason the Terps couldn't win a nat'l championship in this scenario
Posted by: Beachterp | September 14, 2011 8:56 PM