Maryland Football Recruiting: Exclusive interview with Jermaine Waller
Receiving offers from several schools including the Maryland football team, Avalon High School football cornerback Jermaine Waller talks with our own Anthony Brown on Maryland football recruiting, relationship with Terps cornerback coach Aazar Abdul- Rahim and much more.
Jermaine Waller of Avalon High School in Gaithersburg, Md., is a prospect in the 2018 class that Maryland football could use on their defense.
The 6-foot-1 cornerback can do some impressive things on film. Looking at his junior season on film, his ball skills stand out right away when he intercepts the ball and takes off with it.
“Nobody is going to get past me, nobody is going to catch the ball on me,” Waller said.
That’s the mentality Waller brings when he goes out on the field every game. Avalon Black Knights Head Coach Tyree Spinner has shown confidence in Waller’s ability after his first year at playing cornerback.
“I would say my ball skills, being determined and not backing down. A lot of times my coach, if we’re playing a good receiver, he’ll put me on him the whole game to follow him where ever he goes. So, being confident,” Waller said about the best parts of his game. “Before last year, I played quarterback so transitioning over, this would’ve been my first year. I have a lot of confidence and was able to play with a lot of heart and things like that.”
According to the 247Sports Composite, Jermaine Waller is a three-star recruit in the 2018 class, ranked No. 77 for cornerbacks and No. 19 overall in the state of Maryland.
He has received scholarship offers from the Maryland Terrapins, Virginia, Virginia Tech, N.C. State and Rutgers just to name a few.
What makes things interesting for Maryland football is the fact that he has had a relationship with Maryland cornerbacks coach Aazar Abdul-Rahim. Waller said that they talk regularly and he even works out with Abdul-Rahim’s brother Mohammed Abdul-Rahim, the head coach at Washington D.C.’s Ballou High School.
“I could see myself fitting into it because of the scheme. The coach is all honesty. I know what he’s in it for and things like that. I know how to do a lot of the drills that they do because [they are] almost the same as [Aazar Abdul-Rahim’s] brother. I’d be comfortable with doing the stuff that Maryland is trying to do defensively. They like doing man coverage and things like that. [I could] use my length,” Waller said.
While this is a good thing to hear, Maryland football fans shouldn’t get too far ahead of themselves. Waller also said that he needs to take more visits to the schools that offered him to get a complete picture of his recruiting process.
Adding to who Jermaine Waller is a player, the intangibles, he believes the main attributes that stick out in his game are his ball skills, confidence, heart and effort.
More from Maryland Terrapins
- Maryland Football: Terps honor Jordan McNair, beat Longhorns 34-29
- Maryland Terrapins: Roundup of Headlines in Maryland Sports
- Where Will Maryland Basketball’s Kevin Huerter Land in 2018 NBA Draft?
- Maryland Terrapins Offensive Lineman Jordan McNair Dies
- Remembering Maryland Basketball’s Cliff Tucker: Top 5 Best Moments
Waller models his game after Washington Redskins Cornerback Josh Norman, Detroit Lions Cornerback Jalen ‘Teez’ Tabor and Arizona Cardinals Cornerback Patrick Peterson. Norman for his physicality, Tabor for his ball skills and footwork and Peterson for man coverage skills.
“I think he’s a true lockdown corner,” Waller said of Peterson.
Jermaine Waller grew up in Southeast Washington D.C., and he said that it was rough at times, but it made him tougher.
“Seeing things and being around certain things, it gives you a different mindset. You could either fall victim to it or see that you want to do better than the people that [are] around you and things that [are] going on around you.”
Jermaine Waller is a product of a talented pool of players from the DMV and Maryland football could very well be in the running for his services but only time will tell.
Q&A with Jermaine Waller
The Baltimore Wire: When did your love for football begin? In other words, when did you start playing and why?
Waller: When I was about five. I got an older step-brother and cousins that I used to always be around and they always played it. I always wanted to play with them so that’s how I ended up playing.
The Baltimore Wire: What motivates you to play the game?
Waller: Just the love for football, my mom, my little sisters. They like to come out and watch the games and just seeing the smiles on their faces.
The Baltimore Wire: What was the moment you realized you could play football and you were good at it?
Waller: When I first started. I started out playing with equipment my first year. I was always like athletic.
The Baltimore Wire: Do you have any academic interests that could serve as a backup plan or second career after football?
Waller: Sports Medicine – Therapist or something along those lines
The Baltimore Wire: What do you still have to work on to be a better cornerback and overall football player?
Waller: I think I need work on everything really but I would say just staying low [in terms of] leverage and when I get tired, coming out my breaks full speed when I get tired. That’s about it.
Next: 4 former O's pitchers that have found success elsewhere
The Baltimore Wire: As a senior at Avalon High School, what will you miss the most about playing there and what lasting impression do you want to leave?
Waller: What I’ll miss the most is the brotherhood. Being from a small school, we’re always around each other. Nine times out of 10 it can be releasing. We have players on the team in every class so we’re close and we talk all the time. That’s what I’d say I’ll miss the most.