Testudo Times - Maryland football recruiting: National Signing Day 2015 commits, signings, newsSB Nation's award-winning Maryland Terrapins sitehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50025/testudo-fav.png2015-02-10T14:00:03-05:00http://www.testudotimes.com/rss/stream/77117682015-02-10T14:00:03-05:002015-02-10T14:00:03-05:00Signing Day review: Defensive backs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tYvjWQNpMRsqRbi-UYCShuPBBzs=/0x30:427x315/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45660480/14076462713_0569433570_z.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Student Sports Photos</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A Delaware prospect is the unit's only signee.</p> <p>With nearly the entire secondary leaving over the next two seasons, Maryland had some big holes in the secondary to fill in the 2015 recruiting class. The unit instead ended up being by far the Terrapins' biggest disappointment in the cycle, bringing in just one commitment in the secondary.</p>
<p>The Terrapin staff extended 31 offers to defensive backs (per the <a href="http://maryland.247sports.com/Season/2015-Football/Offers)">247Sports database</a>), with 20 going to cornerbacks. The one commitment came from three-star Caravel Academy (Del.) cornerback <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Darnell-Savage-27528">Darnell Savage</a>, one of the earliest pledges in the class. Savage was offered in June 2013 (his first offer), visiting the campus twice and speaking highly of the program. When he suffered a season-ending injury in the second game of his junior year, <a href="http://">Randy Edsall reached out for a comforting phone call</a> and Maryland's interest never wavered, securing Savage's pledge in June 2014.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It was coach Edsall that told my coach to have me give him a call," said Savage, who was one of 18 players to sign with Maryland last week. "He really opened my eyes to a lot because I realized what a great guy he is. I really realized that he just wants what's best for me, and that's in the classroom, in the football field and in life, in general."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Also in June 2013, Maryland offered three-star Timber Creek (N.J.) cornerback <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Kareem-Ali-26878?Institution=15481">Kareem Ali</a>, one of the prospect's first offers. Ali's stock went up significantly around the new year, earning offers from Michigan State, Nebraska and Florida. After narrowing his decision down to Maryland and Louisville in June 2014, he committed to the Terrapins on June 12. On July 19, Ali made a surprise decommitment from the Terrapins, followed by an even more surprising flip to Temple. Both of Ali's parents were athletes at Temple, and he decided he wanted to continue the family tradition.</p>
<p>Maryland had a family connection with three-star St. John's (D.C.) safety <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Ayron-Monroe-33085">Ayron Monroe</a>, the younger brother of all-time school sack leader Andre Monroe. He received his first offer, from Maryland, back in June 2013, and seemed a Terrapin lean for a while, visiting the campus a few times. After receiving a Penn State offer at their February Junior Day, Monroe visited the campus twice before committing to the Nittany Lions in May.</p>
<p>Maryland also offered four-star Gonzaga (D.C.) athlete <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Marcus-Lewis-27570">Marcus Lewis</a> in June 2013, getting in early on what would be one of the strangest recruiting processes in the class. Lewis visited College Park in November, committing to Virginia Tech later that month. He decommitted in December after taking a visit to Penn State, and soon picked up offers from Florida State, Florida, Michigan State and Notre Dame. Lewis committed to Florida in April, then decommitted in July. He took visits to Georgia, Washington State, Kentucky and Miami towards the end of the cycle before signing with Florida State over Texas.</p>
<p>Three-star Bishop McNamara (Md.) cornerback <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Ashton-White-27580">Ashton White</a> committed to Virginia Tech back in December 2013, but came back on the board when he visited Maryland's Junior Day in February and officially when he decommitted in March. The Terrapins were very much in the running before Notre Dame came around with an offer in late June, earning a commitment soon after.</p>
<p>Maryland offered three-star Calvert Hall College (Md.) cornerback <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Dionte-Austin-22133/">Dionte Austin</a> in January 2014, and received a visit from him in February. Wake Forest had the early lead in his recruitment and held on, receiving his commitment in July and his signature in February.</p>
<p>The Terrapins extended an offer to Woodbridge (Va.) athlete <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Mike-Majette-21102/">Mike Majette</a> in July after Ali flipped to Temple, and earned a commitment from him on the spot. A two-way player who may have ended up on offense in College Park, Majette and Maryland parted ways after he took an official visit to Indiana. He ended up signing with the Hoosiers.</p>
<p>The same happened with three-star Ridge Point (Texas) safety <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Jameel-Cook-42122">Jameel Cook</a>, first offered in February 2014. Cook committed to Maryland in June 2014, flipping to Indiana after a late January 2015 visit. Three-star DeMatha (Md.) athlete <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Tyler-Green-22669">Tyler Green</a>, who initially committed to Ohio State in June 2014, re-opened his commitment in December before eventually settling on the Hoosiers, as well.</p>
<p>Without Majette and Cook, Maryland extended a late offer in December 2014 to Central Catholic (Penn.) safety <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/John-Petrishen-38350/TimelineEvents">John Petrishen</a>. The Terps weren't the only one to take notice -- Penn State followed suit, earning his commitment in late January.</p>
<h4>Maryland 2015 defensive backs in review</h4>
<p><b>Who's leaving: </b>Jeremiah Johnson, Undray Clark</p>
<p><b>Who's coming in: </b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Darnell-Savage-27528">Darnell Savage</a>, three stars, No. 91 cornerback, No. 2 player in Delaware</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2069008/highlights/179920375"></iframe></div>
<p><b>Major targets missed: </b>Kareem Ali (Temple), Dionte Austin (Wake Forest), Ashton White (Notre Dame), Ayron Monroe (Penn State), John Petrishen (Penn State), Marcus Lewis (Florida State)</p>
<p><b>Other players with offers: </b>Juwuan Briscoe (Georgia), DuWayne Johnson (Virginia Tech), Kevin Toliver II (LSU), Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama), Holton Hill (Texas), John Reid (Penn State), Micah Abernathy (Tennessee), Josh Butler (Michigan State), Maurice Smitherman (Mississippi State), William Johnson (Oklahoma), Will Lockett (UCLA), Chris Barr (South Florida), Ben Edwards (Stanford), Jamile Johnson (Texas Tech), Prentice McKinney (Oklahoma), John Kelly (Tennessee), Jameel Cook (Indiana), Mike Majette (Indiana), Tyler Green (Indiana), Jay Stocker (Pittsburgh), PJ Locke (Texas), Garrett Taylor (Penn State)</p>
<p><b>Projected 2015 depth chart:</b></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" dir="ltr" border="1">
<colgroup>
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CB"]'>CB</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"S"]'>S</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"S"]'>S</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CB"]'>CB</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Will Likely"]'>Will Likely</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Anthony Nixon"]'>Anthony Nixon</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"A.J. Hendy"]'>A.J. Hendy</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sean Davis"]'>Sean Davis</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Alvin Hill"]'>Alvin Hill</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Zach Dancel"]'>Zach Dancel</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Denzel Conyers"]'>Denzel Conyers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jarrett Ross"]'>Jarrett Ross</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Daniel Ezeagwu"]'>Daniel Ezeagwu</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Elvis Dennah"]'>Elvis Dennah</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Milan Collins"]'>Milan Collins</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Josh Woods"]'>Josh Woods</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Darnell Savage"]'>Darnell Savage</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Antwaine Carter"]'>Antwaine Carter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Davis spent time at cornerback last season and adapted well, and moving him out there full-time this season would help solve a lot of problems in the secondary. For one, it moves the dynamic playmaker Hendy into the starting lineup, giving the Terps a fresh new pairing at safety. For another, the cornerback duo of Likely and Davis could challenge for one of the best in the conference. It was originally reported that Conyers would have three years to play, but Maryland's official roster currently lists him as a senior. That could be a typo, so we'll keep you updated.</p>
<p><b>2015 Signing Day Grade: D. </b>Savage has a bright future in College Park and could command a starting spot down the road, but Maryland didn't do nearly enough to address their issues in the secondary. Some recruiting losses are unavoidable even if they are frustrating (like Ali's, to Temple), but staffs need to be able to recover and still bring in enough talent to keep each unit stable. Maryland's defensive backfield looks on the verge of absolutely collapsing, and they'll need to bring in some significant talent in 2016 and pray Tennessee transfer D'Andre Payne comes through.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/10/8005007/maryland-2015-signing-day-review-defensive-backsPete Volk2015-02-09T12:30:02-05:002015-02-09T12:30:02-05:00Signing Day review: Linebackers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SOPDbs_ydeNQrVb18dLSSJLmvD4=/0x90:451x391/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45655038/1295126.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>247Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terps brought in four linebacking commitments, all of which came in June.</p> <p>Maryland loses a <i>lot</i> at linebacker this offseason. Six players leave, including three starters (and another who began the year as a starter). The Terrapins have to replace both inside linebacker starters as well as their top two SAM linebackers, and their recruiting efforts in the 2015 class reflected those needs.</p>
<p>Maryland offered legacy linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in November 2013, but he was a strong Virginia Tech lean (like his brothers) throughout the process. He committed to the Hokie in July. In December 2013, the Terps offered McDonogh (Md.) inside linebacker Wyatt Cook, one of a number of McDonogh prospects who have received significant Maryland interest in recent years (including rising Terps sophomore Josh Woods). Cook ended up committing to Purdue in July after visiting both schools.</p>
<p>The Terrapins offered Virginia prospect Chad Smith in January. A remarkable athlete, Smith would have been an ideal prospect to take over for Matt Robinson at the SAM position. The Terrapins also offered Houston prospect Mbi Tanyi in February -- the first offer for the hybrid end/linebacker recruit. Smith committed to Clemson in April -- soon after, the Terps offered Western Pennsylvania prospect Brett Zanotto (his first reported offer as well).</p>
<p>All four of Maryland's linebacking recruits ending up committing in June. Tanyi popped first, committing on June 12 after offers from Louisiana Tech, Houston and Air Force. Zanotto was later offered by Syracuse, Boston College and Temple, but committed to the Terps a week after Tanyi.</p>
<p>Maryland offered Virginia inside linebacker Gus Little at an early June camp, joining Boston College as the prospects' major offers. He later picked up NC State and Virginia offers, but committed to the Terps on the same day Zanotto did.</p>
<p>It was around this time that Maryland offered Isaiah Davis, the younger brother of starting safety Sean. He received offers from Maryland and Virginia Tech in early June, committing to the Terps in August over offers from Boston College and NC State. The Terrapins pretty much closed down linebacking recruiting at this point.</p>
<h4>Maryland 2015 linebackers in review</h4>
<p><b>Who's leaving: </b>Cole Farrand, L.A. Goree, Matt Robinson, Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil, Alex Twine, Clarence Murphy</p>
<p><b>Who's coming in: </b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Gus-Little-31596">Gus Little</a>, three stars, No. 36 inside linebacker, No. 30 player in Virginia</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/479426/highlights/172342377"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Brett-Zanotto-59239">Brett Zanotto</a>, three stars, No. 44 inside linebacker, No. 26 player in Pennsylvania</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1618127/highlights/200608377" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/9/8003403/maryland-iowa-reaction-analysis-2015">Mbi Tanyi</a>, three stars, No. 66 strong-side defensive end, No. 166 player in Texas</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1790419/highlights/217190381"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Davis-27532">Isaiah Davis</a>, three stars, No. 122 athlete, No. 47 player in DC</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/3012843/highlights/107142387"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Major targets missed: </b>Chad Smith (Clemson), Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech), Wyatt Cook (Purdue)</p>
<p><b>Other players with offers: </b>Josh Barajas (Notre Dame), Darrin Kirkland Jr. (Tennessee), Terez Hall (Missouri), Ricky DeBerry (Oklahoma), Jeffery Holland (Auburn), Manny Bowen (Penn State), Dominic Sheppard (Wisconsin), Saleem Brightwell (Pittsburgh), Joe Giles-Harris (Duke), D'Vonta Hinton (Texas Tech)</p>
<p><b>Projected 2015 depth chart:</b></p>
<table border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SAM"]'>SAM</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MIKE"]'>MIKE</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MO"]'>MO</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WILL"]'>WILL</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cavon Walker"]'>Cavon Walker</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jermaine Carter Jr."]'>Jermaine Carter Jr.</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Abner Logan"]'>Abner Logan</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Yannick Ngakoue"]'>Yannick Ngakoue</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jalen Brooks"]'>Jalen Brooks</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Tyler Burke"]'>Tyler Burke</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Brock Dean"]'>Brock Dean</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jesse Aniebonam"]'>Jesse Aniebonam</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Avery Thompson"]'>Avery Thompson</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Brett Zanotto"]'>Brett Zanotto</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Gus Little"]'>Gus Little</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Chandler Burkett"]'>Chandler Burkett</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nnamdi Egbuaba"]'>Nnamdi Egbuaba</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Isaiah Davis"]'>Isaiah Davis</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mbi Tanyi"]'>Mbi Tanyi</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The starters are relatively straight forward -- even though Ngakoue's the only one returning, Walker, Carter and Logan are clear answers for the other positions. The backups are a little more up in the air. Aniebonam is set as the backup WILL unless he moves down to defensive end, but there's plenty of playing time for the taking at the SAM and inside positions.</p>
<p><b>2015 Signing Day Grade: C. </b>There wasn't much top local linebacking talent in the class, so Maryland gets credit for finding what they needed. Little has the potential to eventually replace Goree (and Logan) at the MO position inside, Tanyi gives them extra depth at WILL, while Zanotto and Davis could end up at either the inside or SAM. The Terps needed more athletic options in the linebacking corps (especially ones quick enough for pass coverage), and they managed to find that.</p>
<p>However, with the amount of departing talent, there was room for an instant-impact kind of freshman to make an early splash. Maryland brought in four players who have the potential to have solid careers in College Park, but none of them stand out as the kind of guy who will be competing for a job this fall. But hey, we've been surprised before.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/9/7955473/maryland-football-signing-day-2015-recap-linebackers-gus-little-isaiah-davis-brett-zanotto-mbi-tanyiPete Volk2015-02-08T10:00:03-05:002015-02-08T10:00:03-05:00Signing Day review: defensive linemen
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xqOHlF8LlIN8wT2jRHuGm_-rXyc=/0x0:600x400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45642794/MDPride_3.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>247Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terps added one of the top prospects in the area and two options at tackle.</p> <p>With all three starters departing, defensive line was one of the primary positions of emphasis in the 2015 class for Maryland. The biggest issue came at nose tackle, a vital position in Maryland's 3-4 that is almost completely bereft of experience. The only tackle left on the depth chart was David Shaw, who recorded four tackles with one sack in seven games (with one start) as a true freshman last season.</p>
<p>The Terrapins ended up addressing that need in this class, adding three linemen in the haul with a clear emphasis on size. Randy Edsall and his staff offered 37 defensive linemen in the class, by far the most out of any positional unit. A note: Mbi Tanyi, who was projected as a defensive end by scouts as a recruit, was listed by Maryland as an outside linebacker. He'll be included with that group Monday.</p>
<p>Maryland first offered Quince Orchard (Md.) prospect Adam McLean in July 2013, identifying him early on as one of the key local players in the class. He visited College Park in September, October and November, but left the Terps out of a January top 5 (when he named Nebraska, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Ohio State and Pitt).</p>
<p>Kamonte Carter was one of the first dominos to fall at the position. The Gaithersburg (Md.) athlete committed to Penn State in February, five months after visiting Maryland beat West Virginia in 2013. Pennsylvania defensive end Ryan Buchholz (the younger brother of former Terrapin fullback Carl Buccholz) followed suit soon after, committing to the Nittany Lions a little more than a week later.</p>
<p>Around that time, Maryland became the first program to offer Canadian prospect Neville Gallimore. Other major programs took note, and Gallimore soon boasted Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State and Florida State on his offer list. He ended up committing to the Sooners. They also offered Virginia prospect Aaron Crawford in late February -- he considered the Terrapins for a while before pledging to North Carolina.</p>
<p>Gallimore wasn't the only Northeast prospect who received his first offer in February from Maryland. Trinity-Pawling (N.Y.) end Austrian Robinson popped up on the radar at this time as well, picking up an offer from the Terps and returning to visit in early June. At the time, Maryland was the clear leader for the prospect.</p>
<p>McLean's recruitment really started picking up around this point, picking up offers from Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and a number of other major schools. He committed to Penn State at an April camp, visiting the campus five times over the following months and <a href="http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/428/964/2964428.jpg">shaving the school's logo into his head</a>.</p>
<p>Randy Edsall and the staff identified two tackle targets in Big Ten territory in May, offering Illinois tackles Wesley Annan and Jamal Milan. Both were high on Maryland initially (Annan took an official visit in November) but ended up elsewhere (Stanford and Illinois, respectively).</p>
<p>Maryland finally offered star Good Counsel defensive end Darius Fullwood at a camp in June -- after Alabama, Florida State and Penn State, among others. He visited campus later that month before committing to Kentucky (he later flipped to Virginia Tech).</p>
<p>The Terrapins received a nice surprise in early June, securing a commitment from local 6'4, 295-pound tackle Keiron Howard. Considered a Tennessee lean at the time, Howard gave Maryland some critical size in the middle and their first defensive line pledge of the class.</p>
<p>In late June, the Terrapins hosted the 'Big Show' event in College Park, bringing in prospects from all around the country. One such prospect was five-star Florida defensive end Byron Cowart, whose offer sheet was as long as anyone's in the country. He loved the visit, putting Maryland in his top four (and keeping them there for a while). It was clear the Terrapins were on the outside looking in from the beginning, but they left a big impression on the top-caliber recruit.</p>
<p>In September, Cowart returned for an official visit to College Park -- his first of four officials taken during the process. He came away glowing once again, but it was still clear Maryland would need a lot to go there way to even have a hat on the table come February.</p>
<p>In early November, reports emerged that junior college lineman Ulric Jones (offered in February) had committed to Maryland. These reports originated from Jones saying so himself, but there was apparently some kind of mix-up with the staff -- the Terrapins offered fellow JuCo lineman Drew Bailey at around the same time, and it was thought the staff preferred him. After receiving an offer from South Carolina a month later, Jones committed to the Gamecocks. Bailey ended up committing to Louisville in December</p>
<p>Maryland received a more pleasant surprise in November, as McLean suddenly decommitted from Penn State and re-opened his commitment. At the time, recruiting analysts expressed doubt the Terps would be in the running for the prospect. Less than a month later, he committed to Maryland, shutting down his process and helping recruit other athletes (especially in the 2016 class) to College Park.</p>
<p>It's around this time that Robinson's recruitment started blowing up as well. The prospect received offers from Miami, Penn State and Ohio State, officially visiting College Park in early December and reaffirming the Terps were still the top school for him.</p>
<p>With Cowart out of the picture and Maryland's chances with Robinson now challenged, the Terps started reaching out to backup options. In early January, they offered Wisconsin tackle Robert Windsor. Later in the month, they extended offers to Alabama prospect Mose Hall and former Boston College signee Oseh Saine. One stuck -- Saine, who committed to the Terps on a January official visit and ended up being the class's only enrollee.</p>
<p>Robinson took an official visit to Ole Miss in late January, and that's when Maryland started to lose some ground. The Terrapins still felt confident heading into the final week before Signing Day, but the New York prospect ended up signing with the Rebels. Cowart signed with Auburn over Florida, while Windsor signed with Penn State and Hall signed with Minnesota.</p>
<h4>Maryland 2015 defensive line in review</h4>
<p><b>Who's leaving: </b>Andre Monroe, Darius Kilgo, Keith Bowers, Spencer Myers</p>
<p><b>Who's coming in: </b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Adam-McLean-28239">Adam McLean</a>, four stars, No. 14 defensive tackle, No. 2 player in Maryland</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/907403/highlights/207877396"></iframe></div>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Keiron-Howard-31594">Keiron Howard</a>, three stars, No. 60 defensive tackle, No. 23 player in Maryland</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1196703/highlights/183485375" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Oseh-Saine-38185?Institution=2690">Oseh Saine</a>, three stars, No. 71 strong-side defensive end, No. 7 player in Massachusetts</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/3414305/highlights/112896375"></iframe></div>
<p><b>Major targets missed: </b>Darius Fullwood (Virginia Tech), Byron Cowart (Auburn), Kamonte Carter (Penn State), Ryan Buchholz (Penn State), Austrian Robinson (Ole MIss), Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma), Aaron Crawford (North Carolina), Ulric Jones (South Carolina), Drew Bailey (Louisville), Wesley Annan (Stanford), Mose Hall (Minnesota), Jamal Milan (Illinois), Robert Windsor (Penn State)</p>
<p><b>Other players with offers: </b>Josh Sweat (Florida State, Clelin Ferrell (Clemson), Darrell Taylor (Tennessee), Larry Jefferson (West Virginia), Camrin Knight (Florida), Mekhi Brown (Alabama), Christian Wilkins (Clemson), Darvin Taylor (Florida State), Elijah Taylor (Notre Dame), Marques Ford (Rutgers), Russell Ude (California), Quincy Vasser (Texas), Micah Dew-Treadway (Notre Dame), Jamie Gordinier (Miami), Marlon Gonzalez (South Florida), Harry Lewis (Virginia Tech), Anthony Fotu (Arizona), Deonte Reynolds (Arizona State), Cody Banks (UCF), Chance Hall (Tennessee)</p>
<p><b>Projected 2015 depth chart:</b></p>
<table border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WDE"]'>WDE</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NT"]'>NT</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SDE"]'>SDE</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quinton Jefferson"]'>Quinton Jefferson</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"David Shaw"]'>David Shaw</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Roman Braglio"]'>Roman Braglio</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Kingsley Opara"]'>Kingsley Opara</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Oseh Saine"]'>Oseh Saine</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Malik Jones"]'>Malik Jones</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Adam McLean"]'>Adam McLean</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Keiron Howard"]'>Keiron Howard</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Brett Kulka"]'>Brett Kulka</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>This one's another hard unit to predict as well. The three starters seem pretty straightforward, but McLean, Opara and Saine could each end up playing a variety of different defensive line positions in College Park. They may shuffle around a bit in spring, trying to find the best combination of players for Brian Stewart's front.</p>
<p><b>2015 Signing Day Grade: B. </b>McLean is such a huge get on and off the field that it's hard to give Maryland too bad of a grade here, but they had some pretty major misses in Robinson and the two JuCo prospects. The Terrapins needed immediate help on the line in this class due to the amount of players leaving, and they didn't do quite enough to address that. McLean and Saine should both play important roles as freshmen, but a JuCo player (or an end in the style of Robinson) would have really helped fill out the class.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/8/7994103/maryland-2015-signing-day-recruiting-recap-defensive-line-adam-mcleanPete Volk2015-02-07T10:00:03-05:002015-02-07T10:00:03-05:00Signing Day review: offensive line
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RedBiROXbkiKbkcZNweW7RovVEo=/0x0:767x511/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45641998/2977724.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>247Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Although they missed on their biggest target, the Terps bring in numbers and quality in the trenches.</p> <p>The single biggest unit Maryland has looked to address in the last two classes has been the offensive line. With the move to the Big Ten, the Terrapins have been faced with larger and more physical defensive lines in conference play, and the team desperately needed to add bulk up front to measure up. They've now added nine offensive linemen in the last two classes, including three blue-chip prospects.</p>
<p>The Terrapins offered a total of 28 offensive line prospects in the 2015 class -- 19 tackles, eight guards and two centers. Maryland's first commitment in the class was on the line, as well -- 6'5, 335-pound Linganore (Md.) prospect E.J. Donahue, who picked up an offer in February 2013 and committed in October during his fourth campus visit. Donahue received offers and heavy interest from Florida State and Wisconsin after committing, but never wavered from his pledge and signed with the Terps two years after first picking up his offer.</p>
<p>An early miss for the Terps was four-star Gonzaga (D.C.) offensive guard Richie Petitbon, the top player in the District and the son of a Maryland player (and the grandson of the former Washington head coach). Petitbon picked up an offer from Maryland in June 2013 (after Penn State and Virginia Tech), and soon after started seeing offers come in from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and Ohio State. He visited College Park in August 2013 and February 2014, but did not return -- he committed to the Tide in April and never looked back.</p>
<p>Another early offer was extended to four-star C.D. Hylton (Va.) tackle Matthew Burrell, an imposing 6'4, 321-pound prospect who received interest from some of the nation's top programs. He visited College Park in February and March 2014 before narrowing his list down to five national powers (including Penn State and Ohio State). Burrell committed to Ohio State in November, signing with them this February.</p>
<p>Maryland also offered Glenelg (Md.) guard David Robbins before his senior season, and seemed to be in good position after receiving visits in August 2013 and February 2014. Florida State made a surprise offer in late March, and Robbins committed two weeks later.</p>
<p>There were a few blue-chip prospects who briefly appeared to have interest in Maryland, but ended up elsewhere. The Terps' staff offered Rockbridge County (Va.) star Austin Clark in August 2013, but were never able to beat out Virginia Tech (who offered earlier and received his signature). In February 2014, Maryland was one of the first major programs to offer Jacksonville lineman Tyler Jordan. He received an offer from favorite Florida soon after, and committed to the Gators later that month. The Terrapins received a surprise March visit from four-star New Jersey prospect Grant Newsome, but he committed to Michigan just a few months later.</p>
<p>Maryland offered three-star McDonogh (Md.) guard Ellis McKennie in mid-February, receiving a pair of visits from him in the following month. After visiting Penn State in March and picking up a Rutgers offer in April, McKennie became Maryland's second offensive line commitment of the class in late May.</p>
<p>Another February offer went out to New Jersey center Tommy Hatton, one of Maryland's top targets in the class. The 6'3, 280-pound prospect talked up the Terps for a while, especially after a March visit to College Park. After picking up a South Carolina offer in April (they became the presumed favorite), Hatton surprisingly committed to North Carolina in June.</p>
<p>The Terrapins wasted no time finding his replacement in the class, picking up a commitment from Ohio center Mason Zimmerman just two days after Hatton popped to the Tar Heels. The 6'5, 275-pound prospect was a complete unknown at the time, but later became a three-star recruit and played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.</p>
<p>Three-star Virginia Beach tackle Blake Camper popped up on the radar in February as well, visiting College Park late in the month and receiving an offer. He returned to campus in early March and April, and it seemed like the Terrapins had a good chance at landing the recruit. After committing to Rutgers in June, Camper ended up flipping to South Carolina on an official visit in January</p>
<p>Maryland picked up a commitment from Middletown (Md.) prospect Will McClain in late June, about a week after Camper originally pledged to the Scarlet Knights. The Terps beat out West Virginia and Temple for the 6'5, 290-pound tackle -- their only one in the class.</p>
<p>One of Maryland's first targets in the class was Quarvez Boulware, offered as a freshman three years ago. He visited College Park twice in June 2013 and at least five times in 2014, flirting with some Southeast powers (and Wake Forest) before pledging to the Terps the day before Signing Day.</p>
<p>Maryland extended an offer to Eleanor Roosevelt (Md.) prospect Isaiah Prince early in the process, receiving multiple visits from him over the next year and change. Prince eventually became the top prospect in the state, visiting a number of national powers and eventually committing to Ohio State over Maryland on Signing Day, after first pledging to Alabama.</p>
<h4>Maryland 2015 offensive line in review</h4>
<p><b>Who's leaving: </b>C Sal Conaboy, LG Silvano Altamirano, LT Jake Wheeler</p>
<p><b>Who's coming in: </b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Quarvez-Boulware-27571">Quarvez Boulware</a>, four stars, No. 18 offensive guard, No. 3 player in Washington D.C.</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1753289/highlights/182916375"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/EJ-Donahue-26867">E.J. Donahue</a>, three stars, No. 25 offensive guard, No. 8 player in Maryland</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/3038431/highlights/229862376" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Ellis-McKennie-45061">Ellis McKennie</a>, three stars, No. 77 offensive guard, No. 29 player in Maryland</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/877687/highlights/180285378"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Mason-Zimmerman-69972">Mason Zimmerman</a>, three stars, No. 18 center, No. 61 player in Ohio</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2799411/highlights/87235380" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Will-McClain-43460">Will McClain</a>, three stars, No. 147 offensive tackle, No. 34 player in Maryland</p>
<p>
<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style>
</p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/3221279/highlights/195610382" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p><b>Major targets missed: </b>Isaiah Prince (Ohio State), Blake Camper (South Carolina), Richie Petitbon (Alabama), Matthew Burrell (Ohio State), David Robbins (Florida State), Tommy Hatton (North Carolina)</p>
<p><b>Other players with offers: </b>Abdul Bello (Florida State), Ryan Bates (Penn State), William Sweet (North Carolina), Kaleb Kim (Auburn), Tyree St. Louis (Miami), Grant Newsome (Michigan), Austin Clark (Virginia Tech), Tyler Jordan (Florida), Noah Listermann (Michigan State), Kevin Feder (Ohio State), Tyler Higby (Michigan State), Michael Howard (Ole Miss), Brandon Knight (Indiana), Tony Pilato (Pittsburgh), Kendrick Norton (Miami), Mirko Jurkovic (Ohio State), Evan Adams (Syracuse)</p>
<p><b>Projected 2015 depth chart:</b></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" dir="ltr" border="1">
<colgroup> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LT"]'>LT</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LG"]'>LG</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"C"]'>C</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RG"]'>RG</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RT"]'>RT</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Michael Dunn"]'>Michael Dunn</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Evan Mulrooney"]'>Evan Mulrooney</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Brendan Moore"]'>Brendan Moore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Andrew Zeller"]'>Andrew Zeller</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Derwin Gray"]'>Derwin Gray</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Will McClain"]'>Will McClain</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Damian Prince"]'>Damian Prince</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Stephen Grommer"]'>Stephen Grommer</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quarvez Boulware"]'>Quarvez Boulware</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ryan Doyle"]'>Ryan Doyle</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]">3</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jajuan Dulaney"]'>Jajuan Dulaney</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mason Zimmerman"]'>Mason Zimmerman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"E.J. Donahue"]'>E.J. Donahue</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]">4</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ellis McKennie"]'>Ellis McKennie</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sean Christie"]'>Sean Christie</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Of all the projections we have, this is the one that's probably going to change the most. Maryland loses two starters from last year (three, if you include Wheeler's contributions at the end of the season), and there's going to be significant shuffling along the line. The Terps have a number of players who can play a variety of positions in the unit, and this will be perhaps the most important group of players to watch in spring. Look out for battles at left guard, center and both tackle positions -- Maryland finds itself with much more depth inside than out, and there may be a few players kicked out in spring to help with that.</p>
<p><b>2015 Signing Day Grade: B+. </b>Missing on Prince hurts, as Maryland's only clear question mark in the future is left tackle, but the Terrapins did a very good job of adding quality depth to the unit. Boulware is likely a multi-year starter at either center or guard, while the other players either have high upside (like Donahue with his massive frame) or advanced technical ability (like Zimmerman).</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/7/7990405/maryland-football-signing-day-2015-recap-offensive-linemen-quarvez-boulware-ej-donahuePete Volk2015-02-06T14:00:03-05:002015-02-06T14:00:03-05:00Despite misses, Maryland stocks up on D-Line
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_5sw1XzEKF3AGPVildYei1_tuTY=/0x0:600x400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45641074/MDPride_3.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Phil Fabrizio</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terps added a four-star local and a number of other players in the trenches.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>By the time Adam McLean was out of surgery to repair a torn right ACL, he was already thinking about getting back on to the field — "#TheReturn" he’s dubbed it. There are openings on Maryland’s defensive line and as the top prospect in the Terrapins Class of 2015, McLean figures that he can be healthy by the start of August he’ll have a chance to compete for a role, and maybe even the starting job.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Defensive line coach Chad Wilt could be desperate for talents like McLean when UMD opens the 2015 season against Richmond on Sept. 5. All three of the Terps’ starting defensive linemen from last season are graduating. Replenishing that line was a priority for Maryland in this recruiting class and on National Signing Day its poised to meet that goal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"Coach Wilt definitely thinks I have the ability to come in there and be the starting guy," said McLean, who played at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg. "We’ve talked about it. I don’t want to take anything from anybody else, but I want to come in and compete for the starting job."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>McLean, who projects as a defensive tackle in the Terrapins’ 3-4 defense, is the gem of the entire class as a four-star prospect and the most likely to contribute if healthy — he knows he may have to redshirt — but the group around him is impressive, as well. Keiron Howard, Mbi Tanyi and Oseh Saine are all three-star recruits who could certainly contribute down the road.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>For Howard, a long-term plan isn’t enough. He knows what the depth chart looks like for the next few seasons and sees openings that he can fill.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"That was major," said Howard, a product of Potomac High School in Oxon Hill. "I do actually want to play early."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>There was, however, one key miss for UMD on NSD. The Terps were in play for three-star defensive end Austrian Robinson — and five-star end Byron Cowart, but that was never gonna happen — before he chose Ole Miss over the Terps.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the biggest appeals for the SEC-bound prospect at Maryland was the chance to play early, and that opportunity was nearly enough to bring him to College Park.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"I can go in and really make a name for myself. There’s just an opportunity to play early there," Robinson said. "You get a chance to showcase your talent."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>McLean and Robinson had a good relationship since McLean was verbally committed to Penn State. Back then McLean was recruiting just as hard for the Nittany Lions as he now does for the Terrapins.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>He remembers watching some of Robinson’s highlights and seeing a key similarity between the two.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"Definitely my energy," Robinson said. McLean and Howard both mention those as their best attributes, too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>"The kind of guys that Coach Wilt wants to put out there on the field," McLean says of this group. </span>"Some of the guys are a little bit overlooked by other really big time schools and they have a chance to come in to Maryland and make an impact there."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>That has to be the recruiting formula for the Terps to be successful in the Big 10: The Terrapins have to lock down the top local talent and hit on under-the-radar recruits from elsewhere. This crop of defensive linemen is a microcosm with McLean and Howard representing the locals, and Tanyi and Saine joining UMD without much hype.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>There’s an almost entirely clean slate in the Terps’ front seven and the Class of 2015 will go a long way in shaping the future of the Maryland defense. At some point this season, the future may arrive sooner than anticipated.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>"We’re just going to come in here and put our head down," McLean said. "I think we’re gonna click once we’re there."</span></p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/6/7975765/maryland-national-signing-day-2015-adam-mclean-defensive-lineDavid B. Wilson2015-02-06T12:00:03-05:002015-02-06T12:00:03-05:00Signing day review: Wide receivers and tight ends
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/z0R8oJ3lhkNQ9K2nYHGd3CyyVL8=/0x27:427x312/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45637572/14067285485_849417720b_z.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Student Sports Photos</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terrapins added a pair of players who could be in the mix this season.</p> <p>Maryland identified wide receiver as a position of need early in the 2015 recruiting cycle. With senior Deon Long scheduled to graduate and junior Stefon Diggs likely to enter the NFL (which he did), the Terps knew before the season they'd have to replace their top two receivers.</p>
<p>As a result, offers flowed out to the position -- more than any other in the class. Randy Edsall and Maryland offered 27 wide receivers in the 2015 class (seven more than cornerback, the position with the next most), ultimately bringing in two signees.</p>
<p>The first domino to fall was four-star Briar Woods (Va.) slot receiver Brandon Polk, who committed to Penn State back in March. Four-star Damascus (Md.) receiver Jalen Christian, another potential replacement for Diggs who visited Maryland three times, committed to South Carolina in May. Just a day earlier, Maryland identified another potential slot option, three-star Robinson (Fla.) prospect Jahrvis Davenport. He committed to Maryland in late June, giving them their first receiving commit of the class.</p>
<p>The next two followed suit soon after, but only one stuck. Highly regarded three-star Imhotep (Pa.) prospect D.J. Moore was offered by Maryland when wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell visited his school in April, and committed in early July after taking a visit to College Park. Three-star Woodbridge (Va.) athlete Mike Majette committed in late July immediately after receiving an offer, but was let go by the Terps after choosing to take an official visit to Indiana. Majette committed to the Hoosiers days later.</p>
<p>There were two other local prospects who Maryland was unable to make significant inroads with. Three-star Gonzaga (D.C.) Jabari Greenwood visited Maryland in November 2013, but was considered a Kentucky lean from early in the process and committed to the Wildcats in June. Calvert Hall (Md.) prospect Lawrence Cager never ended up visiting College Park, and chose Miami in January over Alabama, Auburn and Ohio State, among others.</p>
<p>A trio of blue-chip receivers from Florida visited Maryland in late June for the Big Show, and while the Terps made it later in the process for each of them, none of them ended up in College Park. Five-star East Lake (Fla.) recruit George Campbell signed with Florida State and enrolled early, four-star Wharton (Fla.) prospect Auden Tate committed to Florida State in August (<a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2014/8/5/5971207/twitter-joshnewberg247-4-star-wr-auden-tate-says-that">and said the Terps were his runners-up</a>) and four-star Lakewood (Fla.) star Ryan Davis committed to Auburn on Signing Day.</p>
<p>As for tight end, Maryland has struggled to get consistent production at the position and was unable to bring in a single signee (returning all four players at the position did not help). Four-star Avon (Conn.) prospect Chris Clark became the Terps' top target at the position early on, first attending a camp in June 2013, receiving an in-home visit from inside linebackers coach Keith Dudzinski in January 2014 and receiving an offer in February 2014. He visited College Park in March, committing to North Carolina later that month before flipping to Michigan in June. Clark decommitted from the Wolverines after their coaching change, eventually signing with UCLA.</p>
<p>After Clark's original commitment to the Tar Heels, Maryland changed their focus at the position. They offered three-star Coatesville Area (Penn.) prospect Amir Ealey in April, receiving a visit from him in September. The Terps were long thought to be the favorite for the 6'4, 236-pound recruit, but he committed to Syracuse in December after taking an official visit there.</p>
<h4>Maryland 2015 wide receivers in review</h4>
<p><b>Who's leaving: </b>Deon Long, Stefon Diggs</p>
<p><b>Who's coming in: </b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/DJ-Moore-33043">D.J. Moore</a>, three stars, 50th-best athlete, 13th-best player in Pennsylvania</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/616954/highlights/173985380" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Jahrvis-Davenport-37217">Jahrvis Davenport</a>, three stars, 159th-best wide receiver, 188th-best player in Florida</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1045236/highlights/75819375" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Major targets missed: </b>Jalen Christian (South Carolina), Auden Tate (Florida State), Jabari Greenwood (Kentucky), , Lawrence Cager (Miami), Ryan Davis (Auburn), Chris Clark (Michigan), Amir Ealey (Syracuse)</p>
<p><b>Other players with offers: </b>JJ Arcega-Whiteside (Stanford), Tavin Richardson (Kentucky), Equanimeous St. Brown (Notre Dame), John Burt (Texas), Jovon Durante (West Virginia), Kemah Siverand (Texas A&M), Jaason Lewis (Arizona State), Brandon Polk (Penn State), JF Thomas (Texas Tech), Tristan Payton (USC), Christian Philpott (Georgia Tech), James Proche (SMU), Kalif Jackson (Florida), Kevin Thomas (Kansas), Nolan Borgersen (Boston College), Jonathan Giles (Texas Tech), Akile Davis (BYU), Will Gragg (Arkansas), Chris Cunningham (Virginia Tech), Chris Garrison (Boston College)</p>
<p><b>Projected 2015 depth chart:</b></p>
<table border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup> <col width="13"> <col width="91"> <col width="72"> <col width="103"> <col width="64"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WR"]'>WR</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WR"]'>WR</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WR"]'>WR</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TE"]'>TE</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Levern Jacobs"]'>Levern Jacobs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Marcus Leak"]'>Marcus Leak</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Taivon Jacobs"]'>Taivon Jacobs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Andrew Isaacs"]'>Andrew Isaacs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jacquille Veii"]'>Jacquille Veii</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Amba Etta-Tawo"]'>Amba Etta-Tawo</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Juwann Winfree"]'>Juwann Winfree</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"P.J. Gallo"]'>P.J. Gallo</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DeAndre Lane"]'>DeAndre Lane</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Malcolm Culmer"]'>Malcolm Culmer</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Daniel Adams"]'>Daniel Adams</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Derrick Hayward"]'>Derrick Hayward</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Will Ulmer"]'>Will Ulmer</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DJ Moore"]'>DJ Moore</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jahrvis Davenport"]'>Jahrvis Davenport</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Andrew Gray"]'>Andrew Gray</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>We're assuming redshirts for Taivon Jacobs and DeAndre Lane, but neither is guaranteed. There have been rumors that Adams may not return, but we'll keep him on here until any official word is heard.</p>
<p><b>2015 Signing Day Grade: C+. </b>Moore is very good and Davenport has tremendous upside, but Maryland didn't do enough to replace the kind of talent that was leaving. They completely struck out at tight end, as well, bringing this grade further down. The wide receiver haul is solid, however, and combined with Maryland's current playmakers at the position it should be one of the team's strengths once again.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/6/7405681/maryland-football-signing-day-2015-recap-wide-receivers-dj-moore-jahrvis-davenportPete Volk2015-02-06T10:00:03-05:002015-02-06T10:00:03-05:00Signing Day review: The running backs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vBtq-Z6178QIcJbRzfEEzilonCM=/0x0:687x458/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44345192/tyjohnson.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>247Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Terrapins found a gem on the recruiting trail and return every key player.</p> <p>Maryland's running back situation has been a little bit curious over the past few years. They've had a three-headed monster of talented players in Brandon Ross, Wes Brown and Albert Reid (mostly featuring the first two), but haven't quite been able to turn the ground game into a consistent force.</p>
<p>They'll try and change that this season, <a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/3/7927695/terry-richardson-maryland-football-running-backs-coach">bringing in experienced running backs coach Terry Richardson</a> and returning their core group of players from the 2014 unit. That group will entirely be made up of upperclassmen this year, so bringing in at least one running back (and as many as three) was the goal for Randy Edsall and Maryland. Even if Jacquille Veii switches back from wide receiver, the Terrapin backfield would be comprised entirely of upperclassmen -- not a bad thing for 2015, but something to work on for the years beyond that.</p>
<p>To address this need, Maryland targeted a few local and national prospects. They offered St. Aquinas (Fla.) running back Deltron Sands and Wake Forest-Rolesville (N.C.) star Bryce Love in late February, and Sickles (Fla.) prospect Ray-Ray McCloud III in early March. Sands committed by the end of May, giving Maryland their requisite one back in the class -- with the ability to take another if they were wowed by a prospect.</p>
<p>Wowed they were, as small school running back Ty Johnson, out of Fort Hill (Md.) showed up to a camp on June 8 and earned a scholarship offer. He committed on the spot, but Maryland was still willing to take a third if it was one of their two preferred targets.</p>
<p>Those would be McCloud and Oscar Smith (Va.) prospect Deshawn McClease, both highly-rated players who included Maryland among their finalists. Neither were expected to end up in College Park, and neither did -- McCloud committed to Clemson on June 28, and McClease pledged to Virginia Tech on July 15.</p>
<p>To make matters worse, Sands decommitted in early September after receiving an offer from Louisville. He later signed with Oregon State and new head coach Gary Andersen. Maryland ended up with just Johnson in the class, declining to pursue what would have been a likely commitment from local back Kesean Strong (who ended up with Old Dominion).</p>
<h4>Maryland 2015 running backs in review</h4>
<p><b>Who's leaving: </b>Tyler Cierski</p>
<p><b>Who's coming in: </b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Ty-Johnson-68613">Ty Johnson</a>, three stars, No. 54 running back, No. 18 player in Maryland.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lfrc8nk3ZrY" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Major targets missed: </b>Deshawn McClease (Virginia Tech), Ray-Ray McCloud III (Clemson), Bryce Love (Stanford)</p>
<p><b>Other players with offers: </b>AJ Turner (South Carolina), Taylor Thomas (Oregon State), Andre Robinson (Penn State), Corey Dauphine (Texas Tech), Johnathan Sutton (North Carolina), Javarius Davis (Auburn), Karan Higdon (Michigan), Aca'Cedric Ware (USC), Tristian Houston (Texas)</p>
<p><b>Projected 2015 depth chart:</b></p>
<table border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup> <col width="13"> <col width="104"> <col width="72"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Halfback"]'>Halfback</td>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Fullback"]'>Fullback</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Wes Brown"]'>Wes Brown</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Kenneth Goins"]'>Kenneth Goins</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Brandon Ross"]'>Brandon Ross</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Andrew Stefanelli"]'>Andrew Stefanelli</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Albert Reid"]'>Albert Reid</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
<td><br></td>
<td><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Joe Riddle"]'>Ty Johnson</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Freshman</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,5]">5</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ty Johnson"]'>Joe Riddle</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Junior</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Is the unit better or worse than 2014? </b>Better. Add Ty Johnson to the halfback rotation, lose Tyler Cierski (a once highly touted fullback who lost the job to Goins while injured and never fully recovered) and all that changes is the addition of one more weapon in the backfield. Johnson may not yet be ready to contribute at the Big Ten level, but Brown, Ross and Reid have another year of experience under their belts, and with a new position coach we may finally see one of them break out.</p>
<p><b>2015 Signing Day Grade: B-. </b>Maryland would have liked to grab at least one other of their running back targets, but Johnson appears to be an extremely good find. Completely unknown when the Terrapins offered him, his highlight reel quickly spread and he saw his rankings rise not too long after. The Terrapins already have a 2016 running back commitment in Lorenzo Harrison, lessening their need for more than one back in the 2015 class, and Johnson could be a special player down the line.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/6/7399323/maryland-football-signing-day-2015-recap-running-backs-ty-johnsonPete Volk2015-02-05T10:00:06-05:002015-02-05T10:00:06-05:00Signing Day review: the quarterbacks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1xnNRqWX7qZFDglfJi8xwl7dWkY=/0x0:720x480/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44337166/2923455.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>247Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Randy Edsall signed one quarterback in the 2015 class. Was that enough?</p> <p>With one senior, one junior and a whole lot of uncertainty on the roster, quarterback was easily identifiable as a position of need for Maryland in the 2015 class. The Terps extended offers to 15 different signal-callers in the class, looking to find someone who could battle Perry Hills and Shane Cockerille for the starting job once Caleb Rowe graduates.</p>
<p>Early on in the process, Maryland zeroed in on four-star Gilman (Md.) prospect Kai Locksley (the son of offensive coordinator Mike Locksley) and three-star Gonzaga (D.C.) player Nick Johns. Johns pledged to Virginia in early May, leaving Locksley as the sole hope for many Maryland fans.</p>
<p>Then, a pair of surprises happened -- one good, one bad. Unknown Frankfort (W.V.) quarterback Gage Shaffer, already standing at 6'7, impressed Maryland at a camp in early June and earned an offer. He committed on the spot, giving the Terps at least one quarterback in the class -- but with plenty of technical fine-tuning still do with Shaffer, there was still room for one more. It would not be Locksley -- he made a surprise verbal commitment to Florida State in late July, joining two other blue-chip quarterbacks (both with Maryland offers) as commits in the Seminoles' 2015 class. Locksley later signed with Texas.</p>
<p>A few other names briefly popped up on the radar before disappearing just as quickly. JuCo quarterback Kelly Hilinski claimed a Maryland offer before signing with Weber State, and Buffalo commit Tyree Jackson was rumored to be a brief target (he ended up staying with the Bulls).</p>
<h4>Maryland 2015 quarterbacks in review</h4>
<p><b>Who's leaving: </b>C.J. Brown</p>
<p><b>Who's coming in: </b><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Gage-Shaffer-68831">Gage Shaffer</a>, three stars, 37th-best pro-style quarterback, second-best player in West Virginia.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2945013/highlights/214813385" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Major targets missed: </b>Kai Locksley (Texas), Nick Johns (Virginia)</p>
<p><b>Other players with offers: </b>Brady White (Arizona State), Zach Gentry (Michigan), Joe Burrow (Ohio State), Brian Lewerke (Michigan State), David Sills (West Virginia), Brandon Wimbush (Notre Dame), Travis Waller (Oregon), Deondre Francois (Florida State), Sheriron Jones (Tennessee), Lorenzo Nunez (South Carolina), De'Andre Johnson (Florida State)</p>
<p><b>Projected 2015 depth chart:</b></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" dir="ltr" border="1">
<colgroup> <col width="13"> <col width="104"> <col width="72"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Caleb Rowe"]'>Caleb Rowe</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Senior"]'>Senior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Perry Hills"]'>Perry Hills</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Junior"]'>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Shane Cockerille"]'>Shane Cockerille</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sophomore"]'>Sophomore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Gage Shaffer"]'>Gage Shaffer</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Freshman"]'>Freshman</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b>2015 Signing Day Grade: C-. </b>Shaffer has tremendous upside, but I don't see him being ready for FBS play for a few years. Rowe is unquestionably the favorite to win the starting job this upcoming season, but Maryland really wanted to bring in someone who could challenge for the position soon after he graduates (there's a possibility they bring in a late transfer, but that gets more unlikely by the day).</p>
<p>There's always a chance that someone like Hills or Cockerille could take great strides next season and cement themselves as a viable backup and future starter, but their lack of playing time during C.J. Brown's late-season struggles makes that a pretty big question mark. Maryland has placed almost all of their eggs in the Dwayne Haskins basket, and if the blue-chip 2016 Bullis prospect stays home, none of this matters all that much anyway.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2015/2/5/7391389/maryland-football-signing-day-2015-recap-quarterbacks-gage-shafferPete Volk