Ty Johnson's dream becomes reality with commitment to Maryland

Ty Johnson entered the Maryland football's prospect camp on June 8 without any of the coaches knowing who he was. By the end of his lunch break, he had received a scholarship to play for the Terrapins.

Johnson's time of 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash was all the Maryland coaches needed to see before extending him an offer.

"When I ran my forty, two coaches from Maryland kept asking who I was and what school I was from," Johnson said.

The running back/defensive back said assistant coach Chad Wilt took him to Randy Edsall's office after the first part of camp.

"Coach Wilt pulled me aside and took me to coach Edsall's office," Johnson said. "I talked to coach Edsall for a bit and then he gave me an offer before the second part of camp."

He couldn't hold back the tears after his meeting with Edsall.

"I started crying and thanking coach Edsall because he really made a dream become a reality," Johnson said.

Johnson plays his high school ball for Fort Hill in Cumberland, Md., a 1A school that has a graduating class of 225 students. He led Fort Hill to a perfect 14-0 record and a 1A Maryland state championship his junior season and earned Times-News Area Player of the Year and First Team All-State honors for his stellar play on both sides of the ball.

"I love being that guy to cover a wide receiver... and I love being a running back on offense because I love being able to outrun a defense or making a move to cut back," Johnson said.

The all-around threat mentioned he might have to stick to one side of the ball when he gets to college but left that decision to Edsall.

"Coach Edsall actually asked me what position I'd like to play and I told him, ‘where ever you need me to play, I'll be the man for the job and I'll do my best job there,'" Johnson said.

Johnson said he made a visit to Albany and received an offer but turned it down to stay in his home state. He said he does not have any other visits scheduled, except for his next trip to College Park later this month to complete academic paperwork. The 3-star recruit (according to 247sports) plans to make his official visit to the school following the culmination of this coming football season.

Though he won't officially commit until National Signing Day on Feb. 4, Johnson said he has already made his decision.

"I'm going to stick to Maryland," he said, "It's a home state university. Just being there -- with the culture, tradition and pride -- and with my mom being so close that I could see her, it feels like a place I can call home for the next four years."