Maryland's 2010 class was Ralph Friedgen's last, ranking No. 38 in the country by the 247Sports Composite. A total of 21 players were signed, 14 of which were from Maryland, D.C. or Virginia. This is what was scheduled to be Maryland's redshirt senior class in 2014 -- 10 stayed around, 11 left (for comparison's sake, 14 of 26 stayed from the 2009 class).
The class became particularly depleted at the top, as the top four recruits (including both blue-chippers) all ended up transferring. The class still managed to produce six multi-year starters (2009 had eight) and a number of players who will get shots at the NFL this offseason.
We took a look at the 2009 class Tuesday. All rankings via the 247Sports Composite.
Multi-year starters
Sal Conaboy, OG, Abington Heights (Penn.), 3 stars, .8620
After redshirting in 2010, Conaboy played five games at center in 2011, with two starts. He won the starting job before the 2012 season and held it for the next three seasons, anchoring what was a troubled Maryland offensive line. He was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List before the 2014 season, starting all 13 games for the second season in a row.
L.A. Goree, OLB, Fork Union Military Academy (Va.), 3 stars, .8556
After spending a year at Fork Union and redshirting in 2010, Goree was ready to make an impact in 2011. He started seven games that year, recording 60 tackles with three sacks and earning honorable mention freshman All-America honors. He recorded 46 tackles in eight games as a sophomore in 2012, commanding an inside starting job for the next two years alongside Cole Farrand. Goree totaled 174 tackles in those two seasons.
Darius Kilgo, DT, Weddington (N.C.), 3 stars, .8389
Kilgo redshirted in 2010, playing five games as a backup in 2011 before earning the starting job in new defensive coordinator Brian Stewart's 3-4 defense as the nose tackle. He held on to that job for the next three years, recording 20 tackles for a loss during that period and effectively clogging up space in the middle. Kilgo was selected to the East-West Shrine Game roster but was snubbed of a combine invite. He'll be a name to watch at the end of the draft and as the undrafted free agent signings are announced.
Jeremiah Johnson, CB, Suitland (Md.), 3 stars, .8389
Another 2010 redshirt, Johnson played nine games as the No. 4 cornerback in Edsall's first season. He won the starting job in 2012 opposite Dexter McDougle, recording 43 tackles with eight passes broken up and emerging as a potential shutdown corner option. A foot injury early in 2013 caused him to miss 10 games, Johnson returned in 2014 to battle for his job with Alvin Hill. He lost initially, but ended up taking over when Hill suffered an injury. In 13 games, Johnson recorded 43 tackles with four passes broken up and his first career interception.
Andre Monroe, SDE, St. John's College (D.C.), 3 stars, .8377
The unquestioned gem of the class, Monroe developed from a lightly recruited, undersized D.C. linemen into Maryland's all-time career sacks leader. He redshirted in 2010 as well, earning freshman All-America honors in 2011 with 7.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks. Monroe missed the next season with a knee injury, returning in 2013 to record 17 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks. This year, he had 14 tackles and 10 sacks, breaking Mike Corvino's program record with 25 career sacks. He's undersized for the NFL, but that hasn't stopped him before -- expect him to at least get a shot at a practice squad.
Matt Robinson, ATH, Atholton (Md.), 3 stars, .8188
Another great find by Friedgen's staff, all of Robinson's other offers were from FCS programs. He played immediately as a reserve defensive back in 2010, recording 29 tackles with two fumbles forced, and started three games at safety with Eric Franklin in 2011. They were prolific -- he had 36 tackles in those three contests -- but an injury ended the year early and awarded him a redshirt season. After returning as a safety in 2012 and recording 26 tackles in five games, Robinson transitioned to the coverage-based SAM linebacker and became the first Terrapin player to really thrive in it. He had 73 tackles with 10 for a loss and four passes broken up on 2013 and 34 tackles with five passes broken up in 2014. Injuries prevented his career from being something even greater, but he was an important part of the defense for four years.
Contributors
Nate Clarke, OT, Archbishop Carroll (D.C.), 3 stars, .8667
Clarke reclassified to 2011 -- we'll talk about him then.
Clarence Murphy, SDE, Hollywood Hills (Fla.), 3 stars, .8505
A 2010 redshirt, Murphy switched between defensive end and outside linebacker in his career, eventually settling in as a reserve at WILL. He recorded five tackles in eight games over his Maryland career.
Tyrek Cheeseboro, WR, Milford Mill Academy (Md.), 3 stars, .8410
Cheeseboro also reclassified to 2011.
Jake Wheeler, OT, American Heritage (Fla.), 2 stars, .7889
A star basketball player in high school, Wheeler brought a 6'7 frame to the tackle position but struggled for his first few years. After redshirting in 2010 and serving as a reserve tackle for three seasons, Wheeler stepped into an important role down the stretch this past season. He started at left tackle against Michigan, Rutgers and Stanford, and was likely one of Maryland's two best linemen in the stretch.
Transferred
Javarie Johnson, OLB, Dunbar (D.C.), 4 stars, .9148
The top signee in the class, Johnson was a notable coup for James Franklin over Florida, Miami and Michigan, among others. After enrolling early and participating in spring practice, Johnson left the school that summer and enrolled at Mike Locksley's New Mexico program. After suffering a season-ending injury in the 2011 opener, Johnson became a key role player in the Lobo defense, recording 90 tackles and 12.5 tackles for a loss over the last three seasons. He started every game over the last two seasons for New Mexico, and could be a late round selection or undrafted free agent signing this spring.
Titus Till, S, Dr. Henry Wise (Md.), 4 stars, .8960
After redshirting in 2010, Titus Till ranked seventh on Maryland's 2011 squad with 47 tackles. He left the program immediately after the season for FCS James Madison, returning to play the Terps in the 2014 season opener as a three-year starter for the Dukes. Till had a successful career with JMU, totalling 148 tackles and five pass deflections.
Tyler Smith, QB, Wilson Area (Penn.), 3 stars, .8884
Maryland doesn't receive commitments from highly-touted quarterbacks all that often, and Tyler Smith was the closest the Terps have come to a blue-chip signal-caller in some time. After redshirting the 2010 season, Smith transferred after playing just two series in the 2011 Spring Game under Edsall. He ended up at Elon, playing two games in 2011 before becoming a student assistant with the school. Smith is now a strength and conditioning coach with Delaware.
David Mackall, OLB, Fork Union Military Academy (Va.), 3 stars, .8706
After spending a year at Fork Union, Mackall was ready to play right away in College Park, becoming one of the 2010 class members who didn't redshirt in Friedgen's final season. Serving as Alex Wujciak's backup in the middle, Mackall recorded 18 tackles with three sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown in his true freshman season. As a sophomore in 2011, Mackall switched to defensive end and started seven games, recording 30 tackles (six for a loss) with three sacks. He was suspended in November following a violation of team rules, leaving the program and transferring to Delaware (joining fellow former Maryland players Travis Hawkins and Zach Kerr). After missing the 2012 season with an injury, Mackall was third on the team with 75 tackles in 2013, recording eight for a loss (second on the team). In 2014, he was Delaware's leading tackler (84), with five pass breakups and an interception. He could be another potential late-round selection or undrafted free agent signing.
Desmond Kearse, OLB, Dunbar (Fla.), 3 stars, .8546
A talented pass-rusher despite his 6'1, 180-pound frame, Kearse was the cousin of former NFL great Jevon Kearse and brought the same passion for blitzing to College Park. He played three games with one start in his true freshman season before suffering a knee injury, recording two tackles (one for a loss) with a pass deflection. Unfortunately, those would all end up career highs -- he played in just two games (recording one tackle) in 2011, leaving the program after the season due to academic issues. He ended up at JuCo program Dean College in 2012, recording nine tackles with two sacks in eight games. Kearse was not listed on their roster in 2013.
Devin Burns, WR, Carver (Ga.), 3 stars, .8525
An early enrollee as a quarterback in 2010, Burns switched to wide receiver after redshirting his first season. He played seven games in 2011, catching one pass for 17 yards against West Virginia. Burns moved back to quarterback during preseason camp in 2012 after C.J. Brown's injury. He played in four games that season before a season-ending leg injury, completing three of four pass attempts for 47 yards and rushing 14 times for 70 yards and a touchdown. He ended up listed on the roster of NAIA program Langston, but there are no recorded stats of him having played there.
Max Garcia, OT, Norcross (Ga.), 3 stars, .8525
Of all the talent that left the program after the coaching transition, this probably hurts the most. Garcia's redshirt was burned with three games left to play in Friedgen's last season, and he returned in 2011 to start every game at left tackle and emerge as a talented prospect on the line. Then Garcia transferred to Florida, starting every game for two seasons, becoming a well-loved team captain and earning All-SEC honors. He was invited to the NFL Combine and is projected to be a 3rd-5th round selection.
Jeremiah Wilson, CB, John Handley (Va.), 3 stars, .8431
Wilson redshirted as a defensive back in 2010, but switched to running back prior to the 2011 season. He had five carries for 16 yards and also spent some time as a returner, but transferred to James Madison after the season. Wilson was a reserve defensive back for the Dukes in 2012, won a starting job in 2013 and held on to it, recording 63 tackles over his career.
Ian Evans, DE, Hammonton (N.J.), 3 stars, .8250
Evans redshirted at Maryland in 2010, and played in four games as a defensive lineman in 2011, recording seven tackles. He left the school the following summer for personal reasons.
Mario Rowson, S, Lake Taylor (Va.), 3 stars, .8220
After redshirting his first season, Rowson played in seven games with four starts in 2011, recording 27 tackles. Recruited as a defensive back, he moved to linebacker after the coaching transition but preferred a secondary position. He left for Delaware, joining Travis Hawkins, Zach Kerr and David Mackall, and sat out his first season before winning a starting safety job in 2013. He led the team with 57 solo tackles that year, recording 40 in 2014 with an interception and a team-high seven pass deflections.
Rahsaan Moore, FB, Dr. Henry Wise (Md.), 3 stars, .8188
After redshirting in 2010, Moore held the starting fullback job in 2011 before Tyler Cierski took it away. Moore ended up transferring after that season, landing at Old Dominion briefly. Moore never played a game with the Monarchs, instead ending up at Bowie State and earning all-conference honors as a defensive lineman.