Within one week of Caleb Porzel’s pledge to play for Maryland, the Terps have landed three more recruits for next year’s class.
Running back D.J. Adams of Norcross, Georgia was the highest touted player amongst the three. Sporting offers from Notre Dame, Clemson, and Mississippi State, Adams, ranked by Rivals as the 32nd-best RB in the country, ultimately chose Maryland as his destination on Monday.
The Terps now have two running backs in their class of 2009 and hope to add a third with coveted prospect (and local product) Tavon Austin.
Speaking of local talent, the Terps added their ninth in-state commit with the pledge of Edmonson defensive end David Mackall. Rated by Scout as a three-star prospect, Mackall told the Baltimore Sun’s Matt Bracken about the importance of in-state products staying at home and playing in front of friends and family at College Park.
“It’s a big thing because for one, when I used to go up to Maryland for the games, the home crowd was into it,” Mackall said. “And I feel like if more players come from the same place, it’s going to be a better [atmosphere] than if players come from [other areas]. But we’re [all coming from the same place, which helps] because I feel you all have to have that friendship and trust.”
Last but not least, Avery Murray, an underrated prospect from South Carolina, picked the Terps over Buffalo and Middle Tennessee last week and is slated to play linebacker in College Park. According to Bracken, it turns out the Terps staff found out about Avery while trying to recruit his teammate, Mallicah Goodman (who later committed to Clemson).
“[The UM staff was] just looking at other kids that we had and saw some tape on [Murray]. ... [He went to College Park for a visit and] they offered him pretty soon after that.”
While some Terp fans might be cautiously optimistic about the commitment of a player who doesn’t have multiple stars attached to his name, or offers from more prominent schools, Maryland could have landed a diamond in the rough with Murray, especially after an ESPN evaluation that was, coincidentally, updated today.
Murray is an explosive linebacker prospect with the physical tools to develop on either the inside and outside in college. Lacks the ideal frame for a perimeter player but is very well-built and his longer limbs show potential for future physical development….
Overall, Murray could be sliding under the radar due to his tweener inside/outside linebacker status, but he is a productive football player with good toughness, speed, and a nose for the football. Would fit best in a heavy pressure defense that frees him up to attack on the perimeter.
The Terrapins staff has done a bang-up job in recruiting thus far, but it appears they’re far from finished due to the many highly-ranked targets with Maryland offers still on the board.
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2 months ago
living in Kennesaw, GA, I got to see DJ Adams destroy my highschools defense. It was amazing how good he is and I'm glad that such a talented player is going to my favorite college. Nice article.
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