2016 defensive end Joey Fisher talks commitment to Maryland, playing style

The decision was easy for Joey Fisher.

The 6'5, 248-pounder received a scholarship from Maryland defensive line coach Chad Wilt on Monday April, 20^th and after two days of pondering the idea of living out the dream of playing college football, the junior committed on Wednesday April, 22^nd.  After visiting the campus in February and for the first open scrimmage in March, Fisher had his sights set on College Park.

"It started off with Chad and I talking early, around February. We got to talking, and I went down there February 12^th, and we started talking more. I went there on March 28^th and we talked a little more. He said he was going to come up when recruiting was happening," Fisher said.

Fisher walked us through the process of getting the offer -- not an easy task for the Clear Spring prospect, from an area not know for producing Division I talent.

"My coach and I set up drills, footwork drills, slapping the bag and stuff like that. My coach ran me through the drills and I did my thing," he said. "Chad said it was nice and liked what he saw. I ended up leaving and he went with my coach. They talked for a little bit and he left.

"Later that night, I got a text from my coach asking if I was home. Chad messaged me on Twitter asking 'Can you give me a call when you're free?' I said, 'Sure.' I called him and he gave me feedback on how good I did, what he liked, about my natural strength and the speed I have. When I was talking to him, he asked me how it would feel to get an offer from Maryland. I gave him the same spiel. I said it would be great. It's my hometown school. He stopped me after that and said it's not a hypothetical question. It's the real deal. I'm offering you a full ride to Maryland. Then he asked how would that feel and I didn't have any words for him. It's been my dream to play D1 since third-grade football. It just came to happen."

When a high school recruit commits to their respective school, many say that the journey is just beginning. Having the offseason between junior and senior year to enhance a talented skill set is crucial for those in hopes of offers. For a commit, it's a chance to hone in on technique and the fundamentals that ultimately led to a scholarship offer.

"I would definitely have to say my speed and power," said Fisher on his strengths as a player. "On my film, I never give up. I can fall down on the right side of the field, get back up, and come around and make a play on the left side. I just never quit. It's 100% all the time when I'm on the field. That's about it."

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Fisher knows there are areas for improvement and with a higher level of competition on the horizon, the future Terp realizes the importance of getting more fundamentally sound.

"Definitely my techniques. Techniques are the big key," he said. "I didn't really have to use them where I'm playing at in my high school. There is nobody my size that I'm playing with. It's all little kids around 5'8, 6'0, so technique is really important."

Fisher possesses good size for the defensive end position. Having a combination of size, speed and power can make for an ample amount of playing time in the future. He shows tremendous hustle and perseverance - skip to 1:50. The chances of seeing him on the field as a true freshman consistently aren't good, with a crowded situation in front of him, but Fisher could play a vital role in the near future.