Testudo Times: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: College Football Rankings - BlogPoll Top 25

Maryland Grabs Another Floridian Commitment, Desmond Kearse

Floridian? Check. Cousin of Jevon? Check. Ability to play literally anywhere on the field? Check. I like it.

Desmond Kearse (Fort Myers, Fla./Dunbar) has committed to sign as part of Maryland's Class of 2010, ESPN affiliate Web site InsideMDSports.com reports.

Recruited to play defensive back, Kearse registered 25 sacks as an edge rusher during his junior season.

He is the cousin of Tennessee Titans' defensive end Jevon Kearse.

At the Orlando Nike Combine, Desmond posted an electronically-timed 4.49 40-yard dash, 4.25 20-yard shuttle, 31.3-inch vertical and 35-foot power ball throw.

Not much is known about Kearse, Maryland's latest football commitment, except for the fact that he just committed. He's not rated by either service, though Scout has him as a 3 star. Looks like another under-the-radar type of guy.

There are three really intriguing things about Kearse. The first is his versatility. On Rivals, he's listed as a DE. On Scout, an OLB. On ESPN, a safety. Even if he was recruited to play S, you'd have to assume he can move around.

His speed is listed as 4.5, corroborated by the combine time, which would be adequate for a safety, good for a LB, and outstanding for a DE. He'd be criminally undersized at DE (doesn't even crack 200) and would require a lot of prep time before he was ready to go, but his physical tools make up for that, and he's comfortable at the position. Meanwhile, he'd be ready to contribute right away from a size standpoint at safety, but he doesn't know that position as well.

Either way, Maryland seems to be getting a guy that has some great tools but no real position yet. Sounds like a bit of a project, albeit an incredibly high-potential one.

The second thing about Kearse is that he's from Florida. After all but ignoring the state for nearly half a decade, Maryland is setting up a nice little home in the Sunshine State, particularly down south. South Florida has an absurd amount of talent, and as long as Miami is down, Florida State is in transition, and Florida has uncertainty, that area is fair game. Clarence Murphy, Jake Wheeler, and Kearse are all from the southern part of the state, and Tony Grimes is still a major target. That's mostly thanks to Don Brown, who's always recruited the state and has some connections down there. All four of them are blessed with major physical tools, probably representing a change toward more athletic defenses.

The third interesting thing is that I was either completely wrong about Maryland's philosophy or the remaining big time targets aren't headed to College Park. I had thought that Maryland was done except for Tony Grimes, Brandon Coleman, and a select few. Kearse doesn't quite fit that profile. Scholarships are getting very, very tight right now. Either Friedgen expects/knows about a somewhat sizable exodus or he's already received word that the others aren't happening. Or I'm still wrong and somehow he's planning on taking all of them and still having room. Whatever.

0 recs  |  Comment 2 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Good pickup

Guys like this are going to turn this team around

by settleten on Jan 19, 2010 10:41 PM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the Maryland Terrapins.
Start posting about the Terrapins »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Small
What We Learned Against Navy
Small
Lawson to Purdue
Small
New Espn Top 100
Picture_1_small
Phil Costa makes the Cowboys' 53-man roster
Ray
NEW AD
Small
Faust down to four
Small
Ater Majok transfers from UConn
Small
ACC BBall Espn Article
Picture_1_small
Ravens trade for Josh Wilson
Small
Deuce Bello+MD= ESPN Top Plays

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Share This Post

Next Game

Morgan St. Bears
@ Maryland Terrapins

Saturday, Sep 11, 2010, 6:00 PM EDT
Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium

Terps Could Play Three QBs Against Morgan State
Maryland Minute - 09.06.10 - Terps Win!

Complete Coverage >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

LANDOVER MD - SEPTEMBER 06:  Safety #23 Jeron Johnson of and cornerback #21 Jamar Taylor of the Boise State Broncos celebrate defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies 33-30 at FedExField on September 6 2010 in Landover Maryland.  (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

College Football BlogPoll Top 25 Week 2: Boise State Inches Closer

Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green talks to the media during the Southeastern Conference football media days on Thursday, July 22, 2010, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill) +4 updates

Georgia WR A.J. Green Suspended For Four Games

Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore (11) celebrates with fans and teammates including Boise State defensive end Ryan Winterswyk (98) after winning their NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech 33-30, Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.  (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

2010 Heisman Trophy Threat Level Watch: Kellen Moore Starts At The Top

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Marylandflag_small Ben Broman

Authors

Testudo_logo_small Dave Tucker

Vasquez_small Ben Goldstein