National Signing Day 2016: 4-star OG Richard Merritt officially commits to Maryland

Local guard Richard Merritt signed his National Letter of Intent Wednesday and is officially a Maryland Terrapin.

4th ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of the day#NationalSigningDay #MarylandCommitted pic.twitter.com/ouG5Nkx2fF

— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) February 3, 2016

He is the No. 14  guard in the class of 2016 and the No. 4 player in Maryland, according to 247Sports Composite. Merritt's 6'4, 365-pound frame adds some more bulk to the Terps' offensive line, and he could potentially see playing time as a freshman. He and fellow 2016 commit Terrance Davis should be in a heated battle for playing time with 2015 commit Quarvez Boulware over the next few years.

The Archbishop Carroll (D.C.) product was Maryland's first commitment under new head coach DJ Durkin. His tape:

Merritt was one of three Maryland commits to participate in the Under Armour All-America Game in January. He also had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Ohio State and Michigan State, among other schools.

Here's what Bud Elliot, SB Nation's national recruiting director, said about Merrit when he verbally committed:

"Merritt is a talented guard. If he can re-shape his body a bit I think it could pay dividends in the form of him being a multi-year starter in the Big Ten."