Maryland Basketball Recruiting: Shaquille Cleare and 2012 Recruits to Watch for

Fear not Terps fans. 

The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball squad is in store for a significant turnaround in its second season under head coach Mark Turgeon.

Now if only the same could be said for Randy Edsall and the football team. But I digress.

College Park will welcome in a handful of basketball talent next fall, including two 4-star prospects who have already committed and signed with the 2002 National Championship-winning program.

So who will join the ACC's leading scorer Terrell Stoglin and emerging youngster Nick Faust in the Terps rotation next season? Check it out.

Shaquille Cleare

The 6'9" center from Houston, Texas is one of the top 10 prospects in the nation at his position and signed with Maryland in August 2011. He will be expected to save the day for the Terps' depleted front court next season.

Cleare has been listed anywhere in between 270-285 pounds, which means he will bring a rare physical presence to Maryland's rotation, something that has been lacking since the days of Lonny Baxter a decade ago.

The Bahamas native has incredible strength for an incoming freshman and refined low post skills for a young center. Cleare has the upside to become one of the ACC's best big men, and his presence will certainly elevate the Terps to new heights in the ACC. 

If Cleare does everything right and reaches his full potential he could draw comparisons to Ohio State superstar Jared Sullinger. 

Cleare will also be playing alongside a seven-footer in Alex Len, who will continue to provide Maryland's rotation with tremendous shot-blocking and interior defense. Len's presence will allow Cleare to clean the glass like Jordan Williams. 

Jake Layman

The Wrentham, Massachusetts product is 6'7" and can shoot the ball from deep. He shows superb touch on his jump shot for a player his size, and could easily develop into Maryland's best outside shooting option later in his career.

Layman, who signed with Maryland in September, is a small forward with great quickness and exceptional length which will give the Terps an added scoring threat as well as a unique athlete. Expect his athleticism to be on display at the Comcast Center time and again next season considering he has the hops to kiss the rim and the size to make it look easy. 

Layman's overall ability and versatility will be a huge upgrade over players like Mychal Parker, Ashton Pankey and James Padgett at the forward position. Neither of which have demonstrated any potential for upside.

Seth Allen

The pride of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Seth Allen is a 3-star recruit with Terrell Stoglin-like scoring potential. The 6'2" combo guard can flat-out shoot and score the ball from nearly anywhere on the floor, but will likely struggle if inserted into the lineup strictly as a point guard.

Allen's strengths suggest that he could possibly be called on by Turgeon to bring an instant scoring punch off the bench as a legitimate sixth man until he develops into a starting role.

Allen is more than likely the most excited player joining the Terps squad next fall. After all, he signed his letter of intent back in May 2011 as a high school junior.

With a solid group of recruits already set to join Turgeon's current squad in year two, it's no surprise why Terps fans are excited for the future and what's in store for Maryland basketball.