Star 2017 OT Chris Thorpe ‘elated’ to receive Maryland offer

The Maryland Terrapins have been on a mission to firmly bolster the amount of depth they possess on the offensive line, as they have received commitments from a pair of 6'7 offensive tackles in the last two weeks. The need for blind side protectors and other behemoths has now spilled over into the class of 2017 as Central Catholic (Penn) offensive tackle Chris Thorpe recently received a scholarship offer from the Terps.

At 6'5, 298 pounds, Thorpe possess great size for such a young prospect - he's going to be a junior this season. For any junior, receiving a scholarship offer with plenty of time left in the recruitment process is something to covet, and the Maryland offer is no different.

"Oh, I was elated," said Thorpe. "It was a really good feeling."

Despite being in the picture for only a couple of weeks, Maryland has been in discussion with the prospect about venturing to College Park for a visit."

"I know they're a great school, but I haven't been able to look into them too much." he said. "I'm trying to either come up for a camp, practice or a junior day sometime this summer."

Thorpe holds a total of seven offers, including Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Tennessee. With NCAA rules not allowing college coaches to outwardly reach out to juniors until July 1^st of the recruit's junior year, the Central Catholic prospect has been the one to initiate the conversations with recruiters.

"So far, it's pretty even interest," he said. "They're all talking. I like the head coach at PSU, we're always talking. I like [James] Franklin, he's a good guy. I also like [Pat] Narduzzi at Pitt. I've been talking to them. It's been nice."

The massive Central Catholic tackle insists there is no top list, and is currently looking to let the process play out by "waiting and seeing."

Thorpe is planning on visiting Penn State this weekend for the annual Blue-White game with teammate David Adams, another 2017 recruit that recently received a Maryland offer. The prospect will look to utilize close connections during his visit to Happy Valley.

"I'm going to Penn State this weekend for their Blue-White game. I'm trying to go down to WVU soon, and Tennessee," he said. "I'm staying with my cousin (Geno Thorpe) because he plays basketball for Penn State."

Thorpe is unsure of when he will commit, but offered that "post season junior year would be the very, very earliest."