Maryland Football Recruiting: Targets for National Signing Day 2015
Jan 3, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; East offensive lineman Isaiah Prince (59) walks onto the field during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. West beat East 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Early February is always an exciting time for college football fans across the country because it’s when some of the nation’s top high school football players announce where they’ll be playing collegiate ball. National Signing Day 2015 is on Wednesday, and ESPNU will be having live coverage all day long.
With Maryland heading into their second season in the Big Ten, this is a crucial time for them as they attempt to establish a bigger name for themselves on the recruiting circuit. The Terps already have received commitments from 16 players in the Class of 2015, most notably four-star defensive tackle Adam McLean and three-star prospects E.J. Donahue (Linganore H.S.) and D.J. Moore. It is also worth noting that three-star defensive back Jameel Cook, who was committed to Maryland, flipped and will play for Indiana.
There are a few prime targets to look out for on Wednesday if you’re a Maryland fan. Here’s a breakdown of who else we may see in College Park in the fall.
Best Bets
Four-star offensive guard Quarvez Boulware
Boulware, out of Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C., is probably the safest bet to sign a letter of intent with the Terps. Rivals did a survey of eight experts and all eight of them believe he will ultimately land in College Park. Boulware also took official visits to Florida and Wake Forest, but Maryland still remains the favorite. He will announce his decision tonight, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Four-star offensive tackle Isaiah Prince
Prince, who is from Greenbelt, MD, is rated the top football prospect in the state of Maryland. At one point, he was committed to Alabama, but it now appears that Maryland and Big Ten rival Ohio State are the new front-runners for Prince’s services. He is ranked 67th overall in the Rivals100. This would be an enormous steal for the Terps, who most likely thought they didn’t have a chance after he committed to Saban and the Crimson Tide.
Three-star defensive end Austrian Robinson
Robinson is another important player that the Terps really need to land. Maryland is losing three starters on the defensive front, with Keith Bowers, Darius Kilgo, and Andre Monroe all graduating. Robinson had an official visit scheduled at Ohio State, but he later canceled it. Maryland and Ole Miss are reportedly the favorites to land him, but Miami (FL) has made a late push for the pass rusher from New York.
The Long Shot
Four-star wide receiver Ryan Davis
The Lakewood High School receiver from St. Petersburg, Florida, visited College Park back in September and has been actively pursued by Terps wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell ever since. Davis has most recently taken official visits to college football powerhouses Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Florida State. Considering the stiff competition and the fact that Davis didn’t take a late official visit to Maryland, the Terps are unlikely to land him. While it’s a long-shot, crazier things have happened.
Top State Prospects Going Elsewhere?
QB Kai Locksley (Gilman School): Florida St, Texas
OL Patrick Allen (Franklin H.S.): Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee
ATH Keon Paye (Good Counsel): North Carolina, Temple, Towson
OT Jamie Herr (Eastern Christian Academy): Michigan St, West Virginia
For the most part, Maryland’s 2015 recruiting class has been solidified. Currently Rivals has the Terps’ recruiting class ranked 61st in the nation. If they can land Prince, Boulware, and Robinson, they are bound to make a pretty decent leap on that list.
Honestly, this 2015 recruiting class is just an appetizer to what Maryland football has in store for the future. The commitments are starting to roll in from the Class of 2016, so Terps fans should feel good about the direction in which the program is going.
Stay tuned to the Baltimore Wire for updates on National Signing Day 2015!