Jeffery Pooler commits to Maryland: Terrapins add Ohio DT

Maryland picked up another pledge for its 2016 recruiting class Saturday, as Chaminade Julienne (Ohio) defensive tackle Jeffery Pooler committed to the Terps. Pooler announced his pledge in a radio interview with ESPN 980.

The 6'4, 272-pound prospect makes it three straight recruiting classes that Randy Edsall has landed a commitment from Ohio, following class of 2013 tight end Andrew Gray and class of 2014 center Mason Zimmerman.

Pooler is rated a two-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite, ranking as the 97th-best defensive tackle in the 2016 class and the 74th-best player in the state of Ohio. He chose Maryland over offers from Connecticut, Western Michigan, Ohio, Bowling Green, Toledo and Air Force, among others.

Pooler was offered by Maryland in late April -- one of eight defensive tackles to receive a Terrapin offer in the class. Gilman's Ellison Jordan and Pittsburgh prospect Rashad Wheeler still remain top targets (especially Jordan), but Pooler helps give the Terrapins some depth up front and joins Joey Fisher as Maryland's two defensive line commitments in the class.

Since the move to the Big Ten, recruiting territories like Ohio have become more important to Randy Edsall and the coaching staff. Pooler is the only Dayton-area player offered by Maryland, but the Terps have extended offers to 15 other prospects from the state. Maryland's best shots at other commitments in the state are likely offensive lineman Terek Zingale and defensive lineman Tommy Carnifax.