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Letter of Intent Day

By Bob W.

            It’s Wednesday February 2, “Ground Hog’s Day”.  The day where people who can’t wait to see what the future holds turn to in order to get some insight into what’s ahead.  The same analogy can be used for National Letter of Intent Day.  What does the future of Maryland Football hold, did Fridge see his shadow?  Is there going to be 5-6 wins this fall, or 8-10 wins.    Though you could make the point that recruit ranking is such an inexact science that asking a ground hog how many days left until spring doesn’t seem all that unusual in comparison, but never the less in these two cases we will go with the system we’ve got. 

            I love LOI day.  It is like Christmas without having to spend money on anyone else.  You get big presents and you get small presents, and no matter what you’ve got, you only see the positives in it.  And then there is Santa, the Fridge himself.  You can watch him from afar and perhaps like all fans second guess him.  But on LOI day when he is at the podium talking about Maryland Football it is almost mesmerizing.  I leave everyone of these events feeling like it is not a question of “if” we are going to win a National Championship, but “when”.  It seems funny to say now that last nights’ buzz has worn off, but I feel the same way every year.  To those who have never been to LOI day at the Grand Ballroom, I say go.  We all deserve to feel this optimistic about Maryland Football if not just for one night. 

            So lets look at what we’ve got.  By state we picked up 10 Maryland Athletes, 4 from Florida and New Jersey, and one each from California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Virginia. 

        Our rankings according to Rivals.com are:                                                          

            1          -5 star                                                          

            4          -4 star

            15        -3 star

            4          -2 star

And our Class rankings are:

Rivals:  15^th

ESPN.com:  23^rd

Scout.com:  24^th

There is a big difference between 15^th and 24^th, but at least we are in everyone’s top 25.  By the way if you want to feel old, the birth year of this incoming class is 1987. 

MEET THE NEW TERPS!

Melvin Alaeze

Pos: DE           Ht:  6-2  Wt: 280         Hometown: Baltimore, MD      HS: Randallstown

Facts:  Had 18.5 sacks and 30 tackles for a loss his senior year.  Voted First team All-American (USA Today), All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year (Baltimore Sun), Ranked #1 DE in the US (ESPN.com), Ranked #1 DE in the US (Rivals.com), #19 best overall player in the country (Prepstars), #13 best overall player in the country (Rivals.com), Defensive MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl for the East.  Ran a 4.54 40.  Had 55 scholarship offers, final list was USC, Ohio State, Va Tech, and Miami.

Observations:  Maryland’s number one target all year long.  Best player in the state and we got him.  His HS video looked like Bix in an elementary school pick up game.

Jeff Allen

Pos:  TB/S       Ht:  6-1  Wt: 190    Hometown:  Woodbridge, Va       HS: DeMatha

Facts:  Averaged 106 yards per game and 8.5 yards per carry.  Also recorded 54 tackles and 4 interceptions his senior year.  First team All State DB, First team All-Metro (Washington Post), named to George Michael’s golden 11 team, Super Prep All American, an All East region selection (Prepstar).  Also recruited by Va. Tech.

Observations:  Our only VA native in this class.  Very early commit who knew he wanted to play football for the University of Maryland.

Nolan Carroll

Pos. WR          Ht: 6-1  Wt: 18        Hometown: Green Cove Springs, FL      HS: Clay

Facts:  Suffered a broken leg in game 2 of the 2004 season, but still named to the Super 11 and Super 25 teams (Florida Times Union).  An all Southeast selection (Prepstar).  Ran a 4.48 40 with a 39” vertical jump.  Also recruited by Ole Miss, Louisville, Colorado, and Indiana.

Observations:  Mother is a representative in the Florida Legislature.  A fast talented WR, a definite need.  Also good to be taking some Florida kids.

Jeff Clement

Pos. LB           Ht: 6-2  Wt: 235       Hometown: Westville, NJ           HS: Deptford

Facts:  Finished senior year with 79 tackles, 18 TFL, 9 sacks, and an INT.  All South Jersey Selection.  Named Defensive Lineman of the Year by the TD Club of Southern New Jersey.  An All East Selection (Prepstar), an All Northeast pick (SuperPrep).  Recruited by Penn State, UNC, Wisconsin, Minnesota, BC, and Purdue.

Observations:  A great find in an area Friedgen is looking to exploit further. 

Chris Clinton

Pos. LB           Ht: 6-3  Wt: 240     Hometown:  Lakeland, FL    HS:  Evangel Christian

Facts:  Recorded 110 tackles, 17 TFL, and 9 sacks.  First Team All State (1A).  An All Southeast pick (PrepStar), an All Dixie region selection (SuperPrep).  Ran a 4.5 40, was also recruited by Ga Tech, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

Observations:  From the same town as current Terp J.P. Humber.  Hopefully we can open up a pipeline here.  This is also the kid Friedgen has tapped to replace D’Qwell Jackson upon his graduation. 

Phil Costa

Pos. C             Ht: 6-3  Wt: 280          Hometown:  Moorestown, NJ       HS: Holy Cross

Facts:  Has not missed a game in his career.  80 pancake blocks his senior year.  Second team all state.  First team All South Jersey (Philadelphia Inquirer).  All East region pick (Prepstar).  Recruited by UNC, Temple, Minnesota, and Syracuse.

Observations:  Father was Mr. New Jersey in 1980.  Friedgen called Phil Costa the sleeper pick of the class.  He was very excited about this kid.

Jared Gaither

Pos. OT           Ht: 6-9  Wt: 330     Hometown:  White Plains, MD          HS:  E. Roosevelt

Facts:  89 tackles his senior year.  Rated the number 3 prep school prospect in the nation (Rivals.com), recruited out of Prep School by PSU, Va Tech.  Recruited out of HS by Florida, Georgia, Pittsburgh, and Clemson.

Observations:  This kid has HUGE upside.  Committed to South Carolina to play basketball before giving up on basketball to concentrate on Football.  According to his video a complete monster.  Committed to Maryland last year but did not qualify, then went to Hargrove Military Academy.  According to Friedgen, Gaither gave Ralph his word, other schools kept recruiting him and he took visits and entertained offers.  He told Ralph no matter what you hear about me, I am coming to Maryland.  All last month there were plenty of rumors about where he was going to end up, they were all just that, rumors.  Jared Gaither, welcome to Maryland.

Dwight Galt IV

Pos. DE           Ht: 6-4  Wt: 245          Hometown:  Silver Spring        HS:  Good Counsel

Facts:  Can also play long snapper, had 53 tackles, 6 sacks, 15 TFL and a blocked punt his senior year.  All Met Pick (Washington Post), named to George Michaels Golden 11 team, an All Atlantic region selection (SuperPrep).  Also recruited by Boston College, UVA, Army, and JMU. 

Observations:  The oldest of the two Galt Brothers (by 16 minutes), son of long time Terrapin Director of Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Tommy Galt

Pos. DE           Ht: 6-5  Wt: 235          Hometown:  Silver Spring        HS:  Good Counsel

Facts:  Like his brother can also play long snapper.  Had 71 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 TFL, and 2 int’s his senior year.  First team all state.  Maryland Dream Team and George Michael Golden 11 selection.  19^th ranked player in Maryland (Rivals).  All Atlantic region selection (PrepStar), and a Mid Atlantic all region selection (SuperPrep).  Also recruited by Boston College, UVA, Army, and James Madison.

Observations:  Very similar to brother.  We now have 2 recruits who can play long snapper in a pinch. 

Morgan Green

Pos.  RB          Ht: 6-0  Wt: 210          Hometown:  White Plains, MD       HS:  Lackey

Facts:  Finished 5^th on the states all time career rushing list with 5,133  yards despite missing most of his senior year.  Also had 23 TD’s as a senior while missing 6 games.  Had 26 TD’s his junior year.  First team All SMAC (or SMIB for Jason L.)  All American (PrepStar and SuperPrep).  Rated 14^th best RB prospect in the nation (SuperPrep).  Sixth rated player in the State of Maryland.  12^th ranked Tailback in the nation (Rivals).  Ranked 8^th best RB in the nation by Tom Lemming.  Named to George Michaels Golden 11 team.  Also recruited by UVA, Penn State, NC State, Florida, and Boston College.

Observations:  I really like this kid.  Both his Aunt and Uncle are Terp Alums and he has known he was going to play for Maryland for a long time.  I love kids that bleed Terrapin Red before they have even been on campus.  As Fridge says “Are you in or are you out?”  This kid is all in.  I also remember Morgan Green from many past tailgate discussions with Mr. Lev who has been high on him since his sophomore                   year at HS.

Jared Harrell

Pos. DE           Ht: 6-6  Wt: 230          Hometown:  Milton, MA        HS:  Tabor Academy

Facts:  65 Tackles and 4 sacks his senior year.  70 tackles and 8 sacks as a Junior.  An All East region selection (PrepStar), and All New England region pick (SuperPrep).  The second overall pick in the state of Massachussetts, and the number 35 DE recruit in the nation (Rivals.com).  Also plays TE.  Also recruited by UNC, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Syracuse.

Observations:  It says that he is also an All American Javelin thrower, and get this also lettered two years in hockey.  Could you imagine being caught between the boards and a 6-6 230 Defensive End on skates?!

Barrod Heggs

Pos. DE           Ht:  6-3  Wt:  245        Hometown: Garden City, GA      HS:  Groves

Facts:  Started all 4 years at Groves HS.  Had 67 tackles and 5.5 sacks his senior year, also had 16.5 sacks as a junior and blocked 4 punts.  An All Southeast selection (PrepStar).   Also recruited by Georgia Tech, Auburn, UCF, and Louisville.

Observations:  Also lettered in basketball and baseball.  Led his HS team to their first playoff appearance in 29 years, how about that drought.

Darrius Heyward-Bey

Pos.  WR         Ht:  6-3  Wt:  195        Hometown: Silver Spring, MD    HS:  McDonogh

Facts:  Had 47 catches for 821 yards and 10 TD’s as a Senior, and 40 catches for 802 yards and 12 TD’s as a Junior.  All State, an All American (PrepStar), another All American (SuperPrep).  Ranked as the 17^th best WR recruit in the nation (SuperPrep), Ranked 23^rd best WR in the nation (ESPN).  4^th best overall player in the state of Maryland.  Ran a 4.38 40 at the Nike combine hosted by Virginia.  Recruited by Boston College, Alabama, Pittsburgh, Virginia, and Michigan State.

Observations:  Thank God!  This is the kid we need at WR.  Was 5^th at Nationals in the 100 and 200 meters as a Junior.  Also has a 40 inch vertical leap. One of the fastest kids in the country and that is among track stars, not football players.

Travis Ivey

Pos.  DT          Ht:  6-4  Wt:  278     Hometown:  Riverdale, MD    HS: Riverdale Baptist

Facts:  Did not play football until his Junior year.  Had 53 tackles and 16 sacks as a senior.  Recruited by Illinois, Kent State, and Texas Southern. 

Observations:  Special Delivery by his HS Coach Kervin Wyatt who some of the old schoolers may remember from the 1976-1979 Maryland Football teams. Also the Nickname potential on this kid tests through the roof.  Can you say sack by Travis “Poison”  Ivey?

Zach Marshall

Pos.  OT          Ht:  6-7  Wt: 285         Hometown:  Mason, OH         HS: William Mason

Facts:  Was second team all Ohio.  An All Midwest selection (PrepStar), another All Midwest Selection (SuperPrep).  Selected to play in the Big 33 all star game.  Also recruited by Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Boston College and WVU.

Observations:  An great catch for the Offensive line.  An excellent wrestler, has school record for pins and is not yet done his senior year. 

Jamari McCollough

Pos.  CB/S       Ht:  6-0  Wt: 175         Hometown:  Baltimore, MD     HS:  Randallstown       

Facts:  4 int’s his senior year.  6 interceptions his junior year.  Second team all State.  A SuperPrep All-American, and an All Atlantic Pick (Prepstar).  18^th ranked corner in the country (Rivals.com).  Runs a 4.46 40 and has a 36 inch vertical jump.  Recruited by Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech.

Observations:  Third Randallstown player in 2 years to attend Maryland.  Was discovered while scouting Melvin Alaeze. 

Jeremy Navarre

Pos.  FB/DE    Ht:  6-4  Wt:  245        Hometown:  Joppatowne, MD       HS:  Joppatowne

Facts:  Posted nearly 300 tackles in the last two years.  110 solo tackles his senior year.  First Team All State, Harford County Defensive Player of the Year, Baltimore Sun Athlete of the Year as a Junior.  Ranked #2 FB in the nation (SuperPrep), an All Atlantic Region selection by PrepStar.  Recruited by Penn State, Boston College, and UVA.

Observations:  Attending the Signing Day Celebration at the Student Union.  Graduated HS early to enroll in Maryland.  Also wrestles and has won 71 straight matches.  Also wears a size 15 shoe.  Eat your heart out Das Boot!

Danny Oquendo

Pos.  WR         Ht: 6-3  Wt:  175         Hometown:  Hackensack, NJ     HS: Hackensack

Facts:  Had 45 catches for 843 yards his senior year with 9 TD’s.  Also returned 7 punts for TD’s.  First team All State (Newark Star Ledger).  Recipient of the Madison Square Garden High School Heisman Award.  An All East selection (PrepStar), also ran a 4.4 40 yard dash.  Also recruited by Va Tech, Boston College, Purdue, and Rutgers. 

Observations:  Was also a track star.  Had 4^th best high hurdles time in the country.  Rutgers called his house at 2am on signing day as a last ditch effort to get him from Maryland.  It didn’t work.

Marvin Peoples

Pos.  LB          Ht: 6-2 Wt:  230         Hometown:  Apopka, FL         HS: Apopka

Facts:  Posted 105 tackles (70 solo) his senior year.  Had 98 tackles as a Junior.  Named to Florida’s Top 100 prospects list.  An All South East Selection (PrepStars), ran a 4.68 40 yard dash.  Recruited by UCF, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, and Iowa State.

Observations:  Another great Florida get.  Also has a 4.0 through high school.  Academics won’t be a problem for him.

Dave Philistin

Pos.  LB          Ht: 6-2  Wt: 218   Hometown: Manchester NH   HS:  Manchester Central

Facts:  Had 108 tackles his senior year and 4.5 sacks.  Had 27 career sacks, a three time All State Selection.  Was New Hampshire’s player of the year in 2004.  Rated the #5 Outside LB in the Country (ESPN), a PrepStar All American, an All New England selection (SuperPrep).  Number 3 overall prospect in New England.  Also recruited by Ohio State, Michigan, Boston College, and West Virginia.

Observations:  If you are a linebacker, the place to be is in College Park.  A great steal from Boston College who went after him hard.

Terrell Skinner

Pos.  WR/CB   Ht:6-3  Wt: 190           Hometown:  St. Pete, FL         HS: Boca Ciega

Facts:  Named Pinellas County player of the year by the St. Petersburg Times.  Was teams defensive player of the year as an outside linebacker his sophomore season.  An All Southeast Region Selection (PrepStar), runs a 4.5 40 yard dash.  Also recruited by UCF, Ole Miss, Iowa State, Michigan State, and Georgia Tech.

Observations:  Another fast tall Florida receiver.  Also has great nickname potential.  You can almost hear the call: “Touchdown Terrell ‘the Principal’ Skinner, and with that catch ‘The Principal’ has given the Terps the lead”.

Chris Turner

Pos.  QB          Ht:  6-4  Wt: 205         Hometown:  West Hills, CA           HS: Chaminade

Observations:  A pocket passer who was a late addition for the Terps.  FACTOID ALERT!!FACTOID ALERT!! His father was the original drummer in the band “RATT”! 

                                                                    "Like his Father, Chris will be Rocking in C.P."  

Isaish Williams

Pos.  WR         Ht:  6-3  Wt: 200       Hometown:  Montclair, NJ        HS: Bergen Catholic

Facts:  Set school single season receiving record  in 2004 with 45 catches for 897 yards and 12 TD’s.  Named second team all State (Newark Star Ledger).  All-North Jersey team selection, and All East region pick by PrepStar, an All Northeast Selection by Super Prep.  Recruited by Syracuse, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

Observations:  Father played football at Rutgers, brother played at Wake Forest from 1998-2001.  His twin sister signed with UConn to play point guard for the Huskies.  Talk about your pedigree.

Anthony Wiseman

Pos.  CB          Ht:  5-10  Wt:  185      Hometown:  Silver Hill, MD               HS: DeMatha

Facts:  Missed most of his senior year, was teams leading rusher as a Junior and Sophmore.  Listed as the 10^th best CB in the nation by Rivals.com.  SuperPrep All American, and an All East selection by PrepStars.  Runs a 4.4 40 yard dash and has a 36” vertical jump.  Also recruited by Miami, Florida, Nebraska, Michigan, and Virginia Tech.

Observations:  Runs track and is the National Prep record holder for the 200 meter with a time of 21.64.  Also the first member of his family to attend college.  Couldn’t have picked a better one!

Well that’s the players that are “In”, as for some that got away, no big loss.  But Fridge did have this to say about a certain recruit.  A certain WR from New York who for arguments sake we will call N. Boateng, no wait that is too obvious, how about Nyan B., yes that’s better.  Anyway Nyan B was good to Maryland when he got injured early this fall.  He called Fridge and asked “Is my scholarship still there?”.  Fridge responded “I looked you in the eye and shook your hand, of course your offer is still there, we’ll stick with you”.  So as the year went on and Maryland started losing, the benched WR began to question his decision.  In the end he wanted out because Maryland didn’t throw the ball enough.  Is this a kid we will miss having on our team?  Absolutely not. 

                                                         “If he (Morgan Green) runs over UVA as much as he did Northern, He’ll win the the                                                     Heisman.”  Dr. Lev (Southern MD Talent evaluator for D7tailgate.com)