Terps' recruiting class surprises national analysts

Coming off one of its worst seasons in program history, one would think the Terrapin football team would struggle to land a solid 2010 recruiting class.

But after finishing 2-10 at the bottom of the ACC, the Terps have pulled in what should be a top-40 class once today's National Signing Day is complete. Twenty-one players have given the Terps verbal commitments, and four are already enrolled in classes.

"Obviously it wasn't a great season for [coach Ralph] Friedgen and that staff, but overall, their class is pretty solid," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg said. "Considering the season they had, I think they pulled in a pretty good group."

The Terps' class is also good in comparison to the rest of the ACC, something that comes as a surprise considering how they performed in the conference last season.

"They will probably finish right around seventh in the ACC," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Farrell said. "That's ahead of some schools like Boston College, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Duke — all teams that won more games than they did last year. To rank in the middle of the ACC after all they have been through is pretty impressive."

One thing the Terps did well this offseason was address their most glaring needs: the offensive line and the defense.

"I think the one thing they're missing is probably a playmaker on offense," Farrell said. "But this was going to be a defensive class more than anything, and the emphasis on the offense would be the offensive line. But I think they did well at all those positions — offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and defensive back."

The Terps signed four offensive-line recruits this offseason with the hope the players could help solidify a line that gave up 36 sacks last season. Four-star recruit Nathaniel Clarke (Washington) is the biggest addition to the offensive line, as Rivals.com ranks him No. 12 in the nation among offensive-line prospects. He will be joined next season by Max Garcia (Norcross, Ga.), Sal Conaboy (Clark Summit, Pa.) and Jacob Wheeler (Plantation, Fla.).

"I don't know if they'll be ready for primetime ACC action as freshmen, but I think, in time, that is definitely the making of a good core group," Newberg said.

The Terps also put a lot of focus on their defense, which ranked 83rd in total defense in the NCAA last year, as well as 11th in the ACC.  Fourteen of their 21 commitments are projected to play defense: six defensive lineman, three linebackers and five defensive backs.  

One of those recruits, Javarie Johnson, is one of their highest profile signings. Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 208-pound linebacker out of Washington, de-committed from Miami to join the Terps' recruiting class. He's a raw talent right now but could easily grow into a defensive playmaker, according to analysts.

"A lot of people think he's going to grow into a defensive end because he's so tall and big," Farrell said. "But if he plays linebacker, I think it will be as a strong side guy as well as a situational pass rusher. I don't know if he'll have a huge impact next year, but down the road, I think he's going to be special."

Desmond Kearse, a cousin of Tennessee Titans' defensive end Jevon Kearse, is one potential sleeper in the class. Kearse is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound linebacker/defensive back prospect out of Fort Myers, Fla., who could make an impact as a freshman next year.

"Kearse could be the sleeper of the whole group," Newberg said. "I think Maryland will have a hard time keeping him off the field. He played defensive end in high school, but I could see him being a safety, rover, outside linebacker and special teams guy next year. I think he could make an impact on that football team in a couple different ways."

Tyler Smith, Rivals.com's No. 16-ranked quarterback prospect from Easton, Pa., and Titus Till, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound defensive back from Upper Marlboro, are other highlights of the class and could contribute early on in their careers.

"They haven't found a solution at quarterback yet, so I think Smith will get an opportunity, whether he's ready or not," Farrell said. "Physically, I think he's ready. He's got the arm strength and the accuracy and all that. It just depends on how fast he picks things up. And in the secondary, I think Titus Till is the guy out of that group who could compete for a starting job next season."

For the Terps, signing a potential top-40 recruiting class after struggling so much last season is a feat in itself.

"Considering the circumstances — almost losing your coach, finishing 2-10 on the season — they did well," Farrell said. "I think it's a very strong class."

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