In hiring a new football coach last month, Maryland conceded that its recruiting class of 2011 would suffer. Randy Edsall’s first priority was difficult — to convince recruits who had verbally committed to play for the former regime to stick with the program. On national signing day, Edsall revealed a modest list of 20 recruits, including three who signed last February and spent a year at prep school — wideout Tyrek Cheeseboro (Fork Union), wideout Nigel King (Oak Ridge) and offensive lineman Nathaniel Clarke (Fork Union) — who could end up being the stars of this class.
Recommended Stories
“We got a lot accomplished in a short period of time,” Edsall said.
There were some disappointments. Two players who made verbal commitments to Maryland before the departure of Ralph Friedgen — offensive lineman Larry Mazyck and defensive end Jimmy Stewart — followed former Maryland recruiting coordinator James Franklin to Vanderbilt. Tight end Ryan Malleck and safety Rodman Noel signed with Virginia Tech and N.C. State, respectively, after committing to Maryland.
But Edsall is excited about one who stayed. Defensive back Jeremiah Hendy (Bowie), who decommitted after Friedgen was fired but was wooed back by Edsall, signed Wednesday despite overtures from Virginia and N.C. State. Coming in at a position of need, Hendy (6-0, 190) could play immediately.
None of the new Terps is rated higher than three stars by Rivals.com. Some of the three-star recruits include fullback Tyler Cierski from Mill Creek High (Ga.), center Evan Mulrooney from Salesianum (Del.), defensive end Quinton Jefferson from Woodland Hills High (Pa.), guard Andrew Zeller from Red Lion (Pa.) and cornerback Makinton Dorleant from Naples (Fla.).
Other than Hendy, the only other local players signed were cornerback Michael Williams (DeMatha) and linebacker Alex Twine (Quince Orchard).
“Next year’s recruiting will pay bigger dividends,” Edsall said. “The staff will have been here for a year.”
Of the state’s top 24 high school prospects (Rivals.com), Maryland landed just two. The Terps were outrecruited in their own state by Virginia (five), New Mexico (three) and Iowa (three).
“You can be great in February but you get it done September through December,” Edsall said. “That’s where it counts.”
Virginia Tech – The Hokies received disappointing news on Wednesday when Stephone Anthony (6-3, 220), the nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker prospect according to ESPN, signed with Clemson.
Tech still has a solid class. Four-star recruits include DT Kris Harley (6-2, 265) from Indianapolis, DE Corey Marshall (6-2, 240) from Dinwiddie, Va., DB Kyshoen Jarrett (6-1, 185) from East Stroudsburg, Pa., and DB Ronny Vandyke (6-3, 200) from South County High in Lorton.
In addition to landing eight in-state recruits, Tech got two players from H.D. Woodson in the District, TE Darius Redman (6-4, 240) and DB Adeboye Aromire (6-0, 190).
Anthony, the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, would have been the Hokies’ first five-star recruit since Tyrod Taylor in 2007. He was the second big fish landed by Clemson. Earlier Wednesday, the Tigers reeled in the nation’s top inside linebacker prospect, Tony Steward, who also considered Florida State.
