Signing Day is Upon Us
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 6:46 AM EST
in Football Recruiting
32 comments
Here we go, the live updating signing day page. It's like a gamethread! We'll be updating as we find out various things in the comments, then updating this post. As LOIs come in, we'll be posting impressions, too.
What else better do you have to do?
7:29: Mike Farrell update on Bjoern Werner:
I had been hearing Oregon for Werner but now I hear more and more FSU
Cross that off the list?
7:37: Max Garcia is the first LOI in for the Terps, he faxed it in promptly at 7:01. Really big get, one of the better OL Maryland's signed in awhile. He also keeps the Norcross pipeline alive.
Here's Ben G's quick profile on Garcia:
Tyrek Cheeseboro
Position: WR
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
40: 4.5
HS: Milford Mill (Baltimore)
Other Offers: Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia, West Virginia
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 75
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: A fast, reliable, perhaps underrated receiver, Cheeseboro was one of Maryland's bigger early commits. He's a jack of all trades and a master of none - he's a good route runner, has good hands, decent after the catch moves, but excels at no particular aspect. He'lll likely end up playing the slot at Maryland, a product of his slightly undersized frame. For what it's worth, there's no relation to former Maryland WR Omar Cheeseboro. Just a very rare, very cool coincidence.
Andre Monroe
Position: DT
Height: 6-0
Weight: 287
40: 4.85
HS: St. Johns (Washington, DC)
Other Offers: New Mexico, Akron, Ohio
Consensus Stars: 2.5
ESPN Grade: 77
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: If you couldn't tell by his measurables, Monroe is a bit short (and 6-0 is actually generous - people have said he's 5-11 or 5-10), but that's one of his few negatives. He has good weight to make up for his height, can gain leverage more easily than someone 6-3 or so, and has great quickness. He's very active, very good against the run, and, though he may be a bit limited in this regard, a solid bull-rusher against the pass. Good sleeper prospect.
And some highlights for Cheeseboro:
Matt Robinson
Position: ATH (CB/S/WR/LB)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
40: 4.6
HS: Atholton (Columbia, MD)
Other Offers: UMass, James Madison, Old Dominion
Consensus Stars: n/a
ESPN Grade: 75
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout
Need to Know Info: Robinson was a little bit of a question mark when the offer was made. His play was good but not outstanding, lacked great offers, and his measurables were average. He was a trademark on the Washington Post All-Met team all year long, though, and people said these same things about Davin Meggett. Sometimes, guys just have it - the hope is that he does. His senior season was outstanding. The most interesting thing about him is where he might end up - he's been projected from everywhere from CB to LB to WR to TE, and he could probably end up at any of them. He's a football player, but where is a question.
Sal Conaboy
Position: OL
Height: 6-5
Weight: 255
40: 5.0
HS: Abington (Clark Summitt, Pa)
Other Offers: Oregon, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Rutgers, Illinois, others
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 78
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap
Need To Know Info: Conaboy has a great frame to expand his size, which may or may not be a necessity. He's part of a new wave of slimmer, more athletic linemen, so it'll be interesting to see how Maryland's coaches utilize him. He's very skilled technically, especially in the running game, a trait that bodes well for Maryland's stacked running back stable. He gets down the field extremely well and excels in pulling and trapping. His HS appears to be the traditional rural/suburban HS model of running the ball most of the time with about 5 passes a game, so that aspect of his game might be behind schedule, but his run blocking alone makes him a solid pickup.
8:21: Nate Clarke has sent in his LOI. Most interesting thing about Clarke is where he'll end up, but he'll be great wherever he goes.
Position: DT/OL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 282
40: 4.95
HS: Archbishop Carroll (DC)
Other Offers: Kansas State (Interest from Florida, Miami, UNC, Penn State)
Consensus Stars: 3.5
ESPN Grade: n/a
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Premier Showcase Highlights, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: Clarke is a big, strong, versatile lineman who Maryland coaches will be fighting over. He prefers defense, and Don Brown definitely wants him there, but James Franklin wants him at offensive tackle or guard. Mike Farrell, the Rivals football expert, thinks very highly of his footwork and work ethic (see highlights link). His size is his biggest asset right now, and he's a tough guy with a great motor.
Tyler Smith
Position: QB
Height: 6-4
Weight: 195
40: 4.75
HS: Wilson Area (Easton, PA)
Other Offers: UConn, Iowa, Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers
Consensus Stars: 3.5
ESPN Grade: 80
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: One of the most heralded recruits Maryland landed, Smith could be the future at QB. Strong, zippy arm, quick legs, good frame and height - what's not to like? ESPN, for one, is in love with the kid - they call him the "definition of upside". Seriously, if you have Insider, you need to read the report at the ESPN link - I'm not sure they say one bad thing about him. The tape I saw - can't find the link now, thought it was on YouTube somewhere - showcased a kind of unbelievable delivery, extremely quick. At times, you didn't even see the ball leave his hands. Very excited to see what he can do. He'll have plenty of competition, but I wouldn't count him out as a contender at the QB spot.
Titus Till
Position: S
Height: 6-3
Weight: 190
40: 4.65
HS: Wise (Upper Marlboro, MD)
Other Offers: Army (UNC, Penn St., Tennessee, UVA showed interest)
Consensus Stars: 3.5
ESPN Grade: 78
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout
Need to Know Info: Till was Maryland's first commit for the 2010 recruiting cycle, and he committed very early, so it's tough to really gauge his status - were UNC, Penn St., and Tennessee going to offer if the recruitment dragged out? We can never know. Regardless, Till is a hard hitter with good size, and doesn't have very many faults. He likes to play physical and reportedly has good instincts. He's solid, not spectacular, but solid enough to be a 4 star. He does need to refine his game and tackling a bit, but he has all the makings of a great player. He's one of Maryland's best commits, and could be a top 3 player in the state.
Darius Kilgo
Position: DT
Height: 6-5
Weight: 311
40: 5.28
HS: Weddington (Matthews, NC)
Other Offers: Auburn, Illinois, Michigan State, South Carolina, Tennessee
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 74
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: Kilgo has one big thing on his side: being big. He's very sizable and not ungodly slow; everything else can be improved upon once he hits campus. His offer list was impressive, and his size alone is reason to take him - at very worst, he ends up a space eater in short-yardage situations. The important thing is that he has size that no one outside of Zach Kerr has on this defensive line and the ability to turn that size into disruptiveness. Past that, he's raw, but that's okay with me.
Rahsaan Moore
Position: DE/LB/FB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230
40: 4.59
HS: Wise (Upper Marlboro)
Other Offers: Richmond, JMU, Delaware State, other FCS
Consensus Stars: 2.5
ESPN Grade: 75
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, ESPNRise Profile Piece, Higlights, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: Moore's final destination is unknown right now, but he should be servicable at all of them. He might end up as a fullback, where his size and speed would be a good fit, or defensive end, which is where most people think he'll end up. At DE, he'd have pretty good speed and decent size. He's a bit inconsistent, but displays good physical tools and a good motor - that's enough to turn him into a productive lineman, ala Jeremy Navarre, if not a spectacular one. For now, I'll guess FB, where he could end up contributing early.
Jeremiah Johnson
Position: CB/S
Height: 5-11
Weight: 155
40: 4.5
HS: Suitland (Suitland, MD)
Other Offers: None (Syracuse, Richmond, Morgan State, and Rutgers showing interest)
Consensus Stars: 2
ESPN Grade: 74
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Highlights, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: Originally, I was a little surprised by Johnson's offer. He's got decent height, but he's thin and not shockingly fast. Hopefully he can play better than his measurables indicate - his tape is moderately impressive. At the very least, he wants to be a Terp badly, which is a positive. His ESPN grade is somewhat encouraging, as well. He's garnered local recognition for good play, so he's not a bad pickup. It'll be intriguing to see where he ends up on defense.
Jeremiah Wilson
Position: ATH (RB/CB/S)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180
40: 4.5
HS: John Handley (Winchester)
Other Offers: None (Virginia & Virginia Tech showing interest)
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 76
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout
Need to Know Info: Wilson was another of the surprising commits, but I really like his measurables and some very positive things have been said about him. He's extremely athletic and smart on the field, and could end up pretty much anywhere. Smart money is on him landing in the secondary, part of the under-the-radar defensive backfield Maryland is forming.
Ian Evans
Position: DE/OLB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230
40: n/a
HS: Hammonton (Hammonton, NJ)
Other Offers: Syracuse, Temple, Rutgers
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 78
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Highlights
Need to Know Info: Evans, who plays LB for his high school team, is a sleeper tweener who probably didn't get the offers he deserved. He doesn't appear to have attended many camps, as neither Rivals nor ESPN have the info they normally do, or even a picture. Evans has nice speed and a good motor, but he might have trouble finding a position in Don Brown's scheme. He would've been perfect for the LEO with Cosh. That said, when you watch his film, he looks uncontainable - the first word that came to mind was "disruptive". If he bulks up, he could be a great DE, or just another ridiculous speed rusher.
9:58: Jake Wheeler now in. Still waiting on Kearse, Murphy, and Rowson. Maybe Noel.
Position: OT
Height: 6-8
Weight: 240
40: 5.47
HS: American Heritage (Hialeah, FL)
Other Offers: Duke, Syracuse
Consensus Stars: n/a
ESPN Grade: n/a
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap, Basketball Highlights
Need to Know Info: You want to talk sleeper? This is a sleeper. Wheeler is basically unknown to the internet, except for the fact that he also happened to play basketball at American Heritage. Other than that? Well, he's on the skinny side, with a good frame. That he played basketball means he's more athletic than that 40 time shows. Throw some more weight on him and he'd be a perfect left tackle, assuming that he'll get his technique worked on, too. He has the perfect frame for LT. He's not only a sleeper but a project; it might take awhile to contribute, but he has a high ceiling.
10:15: Looks like I was wrong about Desmond Kearse. Signed up after all. That's a big sigh of relief.
10:19: At this point I'd be shocked if Werner ended up anywhere except FSU. Looks like we're done.
11:15: Clarence Murphy still yet to sign, but his teammate - Tony Grimes - has already signed with Ole Miss. Either it'll come in soon or I'll get suspicious. Probably the former.
11:46: Bjoern Werner will be announcing on ESPNU in about 15 minutes to officially finish the class out. Probable to FSU or Oregon. Haven't seen anything official on Murphy or Rowson, but I have no reason to expect they aren't Terps. Their bios are up on the official site, so I think we're in the clear.
12:06: Werner ended up at FSU. That'll finish the class for Maryland. Recruit wrap-up coming soon.
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Okay, we're underway
Now, we wait.
4 commits have already enrolled (Javarie Johnson, Devin Burns, Goree and Mackall), so they’re safe. Everyone else – we wait.
Major unknowns right now are Bjoern Werner and Roney Lozano, a teammate of Jake Wheeler who’s given a soft commit to Cincinnati.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 7:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
BTW - closed schools could delay this process
Lots of area schools are closed, and that’s where they sign the LOIs. Don’t know if they’re waiting until tomorrow or what, but we know where most local kids are going and they’re usually the least likely to decommit anyway.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 7:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Update on Werner from Mike Farrell
“I had been hearing Oregon for Werner but now I hear more and more FSU”.
Looks like that’s one more we can cross off the list.
Roney Lozano? Someone? Please?
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 7:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Cheeseboro and Monroe are in
Good deal. Two local kids, that was expected, but I really like both.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 7:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like Ego Ferguson is all Miami
Kinda OT given that he eliminated MD a month ago, but it’s worth mentioning. Maryland never really had a shot. That’s a shame, he’s great. Hopefully he shows some restraint on the Terps in a few years.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 7:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Robinson
He’s in, and a big time sleeper. I’m pretty intrigued by him. Could end up at WR, TE, LB, S, or CB.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 8:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Some scholly math from Patrick Stevens
http://d1scourse.typepad.com/blog/2010/02/the-scholarship-numbers-game.html
He’s counting on some departures that are likely but not yet confirmed. I’ll get mine up post-signing day. It’ll be easy to get the number whittled down.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 8:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nate Clarke now in
That’s a big one, might be best recruit not named Javarie.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 8:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Stepping out for a few minutes
Will be back before 10, hopefully.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 8:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Recruits rollling in
Tyler Smith in. That was the last big one, we’re now waiting on Werner (unlikely), Lozano (not confident).
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 8:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Both Jeremiahs are officially in
Wilson and Johnson.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 9:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
All that's left are
Evans, Kearse, Murphy, Wheeler, and Rowson.
Werner will be deciding on ESPNU.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 9:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Evans in
UMTerps was ultra-slow at getting it up, he signed at 7:01.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 9:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Techincally still waiting on Noel, too
But his “commitment” was kind of confusing, he might not sign an LOI but just show up on campus one day.
Getting a little concerned about Kearse, he seems a prime candidate to switch up his commitment at the last second. Blew up late, maybe some of the big schools in the South offered him late.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 9:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wheeler in
I’m expecting Murphy sometime soon, too.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 9:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Desmond Kearse (7:15 a.m.)
Sign, sealed and delivered. UMTerps took a while to get him up too, but he’s there now.
by Dave Tucker on Feb 3, 2010 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Scary moment
Read on Twitter that “S Kearse is a Dawg”.
Just so happens that there’s a Washington commit named Kearse that also happens to be a safety.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 10:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tony Grimes has already signed with Ole Miss
Murphy’s should be coming in soon.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
ANy one we are waiting/hoping for. Even if a longshot?
by terpfan2011 on Feb 3, 2010 11:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bjoern Werner still
He’ll be announcing on ESPNU in about 15 minutes.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like everyone is signed
ESPN said all 21 have signed. Must not’ve been updated.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 11:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Werner doesn't even have us as a finalist
That’ll do it for the day.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 12:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
FSU got him
Not surprising, but a little disappointing. But I guess we can’t complain about this class coming off a 2-10 season. I think we have a lot of good players and a lot of sleepers.
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/18884/fsu-lands-werner
Has anyone done an analysis of 5 star and 4 star guys and how well those rankings hold up after they play in college? It would be interesting to see how accurate the ranking are…
by Dave Tucker on Feb 3, 2010 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That might be my project for the day...
I’m interested in seeing how it turns out.
by s.r.genovese on Feb 3, 2010 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Insane haul
Rivals ranks the Terps class in front of (to name a few) Arkansas, Miss St, Wisco, Ga Tech, Boise St, UConn, Rutgers, Cincy, Iowa, Texas Tech, TCU and Oregon St. Unreal. Of that group, name one that the Terps would have taken down last year.
by settleten on Feb 3, 2010 2:56 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Great point
We outrecruited a lot of programs that should’ve outrecruited us. It’s not the first time it’s happened, but I have a lot more confidence in Franklin now.
by Ben Broman on Feb 3, 2010 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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