/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37894266/1050119.0.jpg)
Maryland has picked up some very good news Wednesday afternoon, as 2016 DeMatha (Md.) Catholic running back Lorenzo Harrison has committed to the Terps, as first reported by Steve Wiltfong. He is Maryland's first commitment from the local powerhouse since Michael Williams in 2011. Williams ended up switching to track and transferring to Tennessee.
Harrison is a three-star prospect, rated as the 47th-best running back in the country and the 19th-best player in the state of Maryland. He also had offers from Virginia, Old Dominion and Hawaii, as well as interest from Penn State. He's listed at just 5'8" and 185 pounds, but he has top-end speed and can cut quickly.
I saw Harrison at the Nike Elite event in DC this past year, and he was easily the best running back at the event. He is Maryland's first commitment in what is a loaded local class.
The big takeaway? Finally getting a kid from DeMatha. The Terps have struggled to get big prospects out of the powerhouse, losing players to programs like Penn State, Florida State and Alabama. Harrison may not have that kind of offer sheet, but Maryland wasn't grabbing any kids from DeMatha previously. Someone's got to be the first to start that pipeline, and Harrison could be that guy.
Harrison isn't the highest rated commit for #UMD but he is as connected to local talent as Diggs or Prince. Important get for the #Terps
— Adam Friedman (@RivalsFriedman) September 3, 2014
Just talked to DeMatha coach Elijah Brooks, who said Lorenzo Harrison plans to be aggressive in recruiting other top local guys to Maryland
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 3, 2014
Blue-chip wide receiver Tino Ellis is also reportedly high on the Terps, and bringing in both of them in the 2016 class would be a great start.
Here's his highlight tape: