Maryland Minute 8.4.09 - Scott Makes Walker Watchlist

2009 Doak Walker watch list unveiled - Scott on it
Chris Turner might not've made the Davey O'Brien watchlist, but Da'Rel Scott made his. I guess that's to be expected - he was all-ACC last year, after all.

Counting down college football's most prestigious programs - Maryland #31 - ESPN
Is it just me, or is this a little high? Regardless, I'll take it. It is all-time, so there are some head-scratchers for anyone under the age of 70 (like Duke at #38).

NBADraft.net Preseason Top 25: Maryland at #24
Yeah, take that, Gary critics (if there are still some out there other than myself about five months ago).

24. Maryland Terrapins
Last season: 21-14 (7-9 ACC), Round of 32
Key returnees: G Greivis Vasquez (17.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5 apg), F Landon Milbourne (11.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Key addition: C Jordan Williams
Key loss: F Dave Neal
Projected starting lineup: PG-Vasquez / SG-Adrian Bowie / SF-Sean Mosley / PF-Milbourne / C-Williams
The Prognosis: No coach was more embattled last season than Gary Williams, and no coach more resolute or vindicated. The Terrapins managed a shocking ascent from the bottom of the bubble to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they were embarassed by Memphis. Vasquez was the only power conference player to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists, and the vivacious Venezuelan is good enough to emerge as a legitimate All-ACC first teamer this year. Will he have help? I think so - Milbourne and Mosley both could be headed for breakout years.

Five pre-camp questions: Maryland defense - D1SCOURSE
The most interesting question to me was about Dion Armstrong. The other ones I'm not too considered about, but I see Armstrong as a real fulcrum this year.

Mario Rowson the 7th Best HSer in the 757
This area is loaded with talent, so there's no shame in being #7. It's actually got to be a bit of an honor.

Rowson runs 4.4 in the 40. He benches 310 pounds and lifts 185 pounds 15 times. He’s strong with a wide frame. His best attribute is his ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. It not only frustrates the receiver but makes it difficult for them to get open. "You just don’t find corners that big," Titans coach Hank Sawyer said. He’s got great hands and excellent closing speed. Rowson has committed to Maryland.

There's also a highlight video in the article. Rowson is definitely a perfect fit for that press defense.

Recruiting Report: Devin Burns discusses Maryland commitment
More on the Devin Burns commitment. I'm starting to warm up to the sleeper idea - I mean, it worked for Wake Forest, right?

As a true freshman, Burns will join classmate Tyler Smith, plus Jamarr Robinson, C.J. Brown and Danny O’Brien in the battle to replace Chris Turner at quarterback. Burns said the Terps coaches like his dual-threat ability. "They like the fact that I can throw the ball; I’ve got a strong arm and [I’m] accurate," Burns said. "They also like the fact that I can run just as good as I can throw the ball. If the play breaks down, I can [take off running]."

So every single QB on the team will be able to make plays with their feet. All of them. We have no Sam Hollenbachs. Looks like we're still searching for Scott McBrien's successor.

Edwin Williams Challenging for a Spot on Redskins' Roster
Good article from the WaPo on former Terp Edwin Williams and his challenge to make the roster. He seems to enamored with Casey Rabach right now, but let me tell you, Edwin: he isn't that good.

Zags - Harris Cutting List at End of August
I thought the delay - from end of July to end of August - was made clear a few weeks ago, but whatever. Tobias Harris, in case you couldn't tell from the title, is waiting until the end of this month to cut his list. The thing I found more interesting, though, was this:

"Memphis, Kentucky, Florida and UCLA are trying to get involved. We have not decided at this point to explore these schools," Torrel said.

And that means we still have a shot, if a miniscule.

Gary Getting It Done, and Telling the World on Twitter
Gary Williams has done a lot of recruiting. And he wants you to know it. That's why he announced that he's been to six different cities in the past three or so weeks.

Glad to be back in the office. Been to Las Vegas, Cleveland, Cincy, Augusta, Los Angeles, and Phoneix the last few weeks recruiting.

I love the new, active Gary.

Nike Global Challenge teams released
These names had been trickling out, but this is the first full list I've seen. It is packed with Terp targets, and this tournament should be great. Trevor Cooney, Roscoe Smith, and Tobias Harris are all participating for the 2009 USA East team, while Terence Jones, CJ Leslie, and James Johnson are on the USA West/South team. I wish I lived in Oregon.

Tobias Harris is a year young
Wow, really?

6-7 Tyler and 6-8 Tobias Harris as we have discussed in the past have started elementary school a year earlier than normal. Tyler should be a rising sophomore and Tobias should be a rising junior. Being the father of six kids I took advantage of the opportunity to enroll both sons into school early as it was big savings on day care.

Huh. I never knew that.

Baxter and Ibekwe sign in Turkey
In case you were wondering what these two former Terps were up to, they've just signed with two Turkish teams.