Maryland football recruiting: Florida RB Deltron Sands says he plans to commit to the Terps

Hatchling Huddle is a recurring series where we talk to high school players recruited by Maryland or coaches who have Maryland recruits.

A three-star running back for one of the top high school football programs in the country -- St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) -- Deltron Sands knows what he is looking for in a college.

"A full scholarship, good playing time, and whatever school I go to I want it to be in the Big Ten," Sands said in a recent phone interview with Testudo Times.

They may be newcomers to the Big Ten, but Maryland fits all of that criteria, which is why Sands plans on committing to the Terps shortly after their April 11 Spring Game, the prospect told Testudo Times.

Sands's highlight reel will only tell you so much, but perhaps his list of offers and interested schools are more telling of his talents.

Besides Maryland, he currently holds offers from Florida International, South Florida, Syracuse, Western Michigan, and West Virginia.

Auburn, East Carolina, Miami, Michigan, and Pittsburgh have also shown interest.

Sands said he has been speaking with Maryland coaches -- namely Randy Edsall, Andre Powell, and Brian Stewart -- a couple times a week, and that they have told him that he has the potential to start as a true freshman, which would help satisfy those carries that Sands desires. He also said that they have hinted at putting him in the slot sometimes to help spread defenses out. Sands hopes to visit College Park soon, although he has been there before for a football camp.

His inclination to come to Maryland was further justified by the support of his parents, who he said think coach Edsall is a great guy because of his friendship with St. Thomas Aquinas athletic director George Smith, whom they trust.

Sands's father Tony played running back for Kansas, as does his brother Deshaun currently.

The 247sports Composite rates the 5-feet-9, 185-pound Sands as the 89th-best running back in the country and the 146th-best recruit out of Florida, which should speak to the amount of talent in that state.

Maryland's coaches seem to have started to delve into the hotbed of recruits in Florida this off season. They are also at the top of wide receiver Rashad Blunt's list.

Pete Volk, Testudo Times managing editor: This situation seems similar to that of Will Likely (and not just because of their fantastic names). Sands is a star player for one of the best programs in the state of Florida, but is getting passed on by the bigger in-state programs (presumably due to his small stature). If this sticks, it would be an absolutely huge pick-up for the Terps, who need a running back in the class and want to continue to make inroads into the talent-rich state.