Devin Burns*
Position: QB/ATH
Height: 6-2
Weight: 178
40: 4.52
HS: Carver (Columbus, GA)
Other Offers: Arkansas, Southern Miss, Mississippi State, Georgia
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 77
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: Burns is a great athlete who was recruited to play QB, but could conceivably end up elsewhere. He has the athleticism, speed, and agility to be a good WR or CB, or even a safety if he bulks up a bit. He is a QB first and foremost, though, and he's not a bad one. His arm is more accurate than strong, but his strength is his ability to make plays with his feet. That means options, salvaging broken plays, or designed QB runs, which - to me - hearkens back to Scott McBrien, whose success at QB Maryland has not yet been able to duplicate. His senior season was excellent, and he looked a confident QB both in the pocket and on the run in the videos I've seen of him. The question will be if he can transition to Maryland's offense and take a more passing-oriented approach.
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, Highlights, 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.
Nathaniel Clarke
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.
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.
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.
Max Garcia
Position: OT Height: 6-5
Weight: 275
40: 5.1
HS: Norcross High School
Other Offers: Clemson, Florida State, NC State, South Carolina
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 77
Links: Rivals, Scout, ESPN
Need to Know Info: For us non-recruiting experts, there are a couple things to consider when determining how good a prospect is. One of those is what schools offered the prospect. Max Garcia passes that test with flying colors. Simply put, if Clemson, FSU, and South Carolina wanted Max Garcia, you know MD picked up a steal. What scouts like about Garcia is his size and athleticism. For a 6-5, 275 pound guy, he moves his feet surprisingly well. He's also pretty good locking onto his defender with his hands. What he needs to improve on most is his power and strength. Hopefully, a year or two in a weight program will help Garcia solidify himself as a fixture on the Terps O-line for years to come.
Lorne "L.A." Goree*
Position: Outside Linebacker
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
40: 4.58
HS: C.H. Flowers High School
Other Offers: WVU, Illinois, East Carolina, Syracuse
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 75
Links: Rivals, Scout, ESPN
Need to Know Info: The guy can hit. Plain and simple. He may not possess ideal size or speed, but he's an explosive guy who plays the position the way it was meant to be played: tough and physical. He's stronger at run support than in pass coverage. ESPN says that his ability to "add size and retain explosiveness will be key for his success" at the next level.
Javarie Johnson*
Position: Outside Linebacker
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
40: 4.5
HS: Dunbar (D.C.) High School
Other Offers: Miami, Michigan, Florida, WVU
Consensus Stars: 4
ESPN Grade: 79
Links: Rivals, Scout, ESPN
Need to Know Info: The recent Miami de-commit had a change of heart at the last minute and decided to stay home and play for the Terps. Thank God he did because Javarie Johnson is hands down the stud of MD's 2010 class. What sticks out most about Javarie is his aggressiveness, agility, and his ability to get to the ball and make plays. He's got a nose for the football and you can never have enough of those type of players on defense. He's a good pass rusher, a solid blitzer, and an overall great fit in Don Brown's blitz-happy defense. His pass coverage skills could improve a bit but his strength is in attacking the football. Like most prospects coming out of high school, he could add some more bulk to his frame. Of all the members of Maryland's 2010 class, he may have the best chance of getting on the field 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.
Desmond Kearse
Position: Strong Safety
Height: 6-2
Weight: 181
40: 4.49
HS: Dunbar High School (FL)
Other Offers: Western Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee State
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 78
Links: Rivals, Scout, ESPN
Need to Know Info: Speed, speed, and more speed. That's pretty much all you need to know about Desmond Kearse. He can fly. The cousin of famous NFL pro Jevon Kearse, Desmond actually has a somewhat similar game. They both have/had an incredible first burst and are regarded as undersized. In fact, describing Desmond as undersized may be an understatement. The dude is very skinny. This has led to questions about where he'll play as a Terp. According to him, the staff hasn't been pushing one position and told him that he'll eventually settle into wherever he fits best. Kearse could play anywhere from D-line, to linebacker, to safety. A lot of it depends on how he fills out physically. Regardless of where he plays on the field, Kearse has a huge chance to make an impact. He's speedy, likes to get after the quarterback, and seems like a great fit in Don Brown's new defense.
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.
David Mackall*
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230
40: 4.7
HS: Edmondson-Westside High School
Other Offers: Georgia, Clemson, Syracuse
Consensus Stars: 4 from Rivals, 3 from Scout, ESPN
ESPN Grade: 75
Links: Rivals, Scout, ESPN
Need to Know Info: Mackall is probably my favorite prospect aside from Javarie Johnson. I'm a little perplexed that his ESPN grade is so low. The one word that describes Mackall's game is athleticism. The guy can roam the field and get to the ball quickly. The knock on Mackall, like so many other players coming out of high school, is his size and strength. He's another one that needs to "fill out his frame." Once he beefs up, though, Mackall could become a stud. He's got the intangibles you can't teach. Namely, he plays physical, he's got a nose for the ball, and he's freaky athletic. Though Mackall is listed as a D-end, he could end up playing linebacker at the next level.
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.
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.
Clarence Murphy
Position: DE
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230
40: 4.95
HS: Hollywood Hills (Hollywood, FL)
Other Offers: Michigan, South Florida, Wisconsin
Consensus Stars: 3
ESPN Grade: 76
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap, Highlights
Need to Know Info: Murphy's an intriguing guy, and a little confusing. His measurables stick him at a tweener type of spot, between DE and OLB, but his game is more a traditional DE and might even be more of a run-stopper than most normal DEs. Don Brown seems to be making a move toward faster defenses, though, so I'm guessing he'll end up at DE. Right now he's more of a physical specimen than a finished product; he has a good motor and good physical tools to work with.
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, Higlights
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.
Mario Rowson
Position: CB
Height: 6-4
Weight: 182
40: 4.42
HS: Lake Taylor (Norfolk, Va.)
Other Offers: None (Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia showed interest)
Consensus Stars: 2.5
ESPN Grade: 73
Links: ESPN, Rivals, Scout, Season Recap
Need to Know Info: Rowson is a big, strong DB perfect for Don Brown's pressing defense. His measurables are outstanding, as his height, weight, and speed combine to be a very uncanny trio of skills. On paper, he seems like a great prospect. That said, his ESPN grade raises eyebrows, as do his lack of other offers. Rowson has the skills to succeed, but the two issues above indicate he might not be as polished as he should be.
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.
Jacob Wheeler
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.
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 secondary Maryland is forming.