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Terps Add 20 FB Recruits for 2011
Feb. 2, 2011
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland football head coach Randy Edsall announced the addition of 20 recruits for the 2011 season, 17 of whom signed national letters-of-intent Wednesday. Edsall, who was hired just one month ago, said the Terps fullfilled a number of needs on both sides of the ball. There are five offensive linemen and five defensive backs in the class. `We were able to add speed and athleticism in the skill positions," Edsall said. "We also added depth in the offensive line. There are guys on defense who can run and have the ability to make plays." Five of the recruits hail from the Maryland/Washington, D.C., area, including WR Tyrek Cheeseboro, OL Nathaniel Clarke and DB A.J. Hendy, all ranked nationally among the top prospects are their postions. Cheeseboro and Clarke, who both attended Fork Union Military in the fall, as well as WR Nigel King did not sign letters Wednesday. That trio enrolled in classes in January and will be eligible for spring practice. Four more student-athletes are from talent-rich Florida, including DL Keith Bowers and DBs Undray Clark, Makinton Dorleant and Lukas Foreman. King is one of three North Carolina products, joining OL Ryan Doyle and WR Marcus Leak. King was the 11th-ranked prospect in the state according to Scout.com. Leak is the 24th-ranked player in the state according to Rivals.com. King and Leak helped the Terps reel in the 20th-best wide-receiver class in the nation according to Rivals.com. "It was important that we add quality depth at receiver with three seniors on the roster," Edsall said. The Terps also added a pair of players from both Pennsylvania and Delaware. DE Quinton Jefferson, a Pittsburgh native, should add even more speed and play-making abiliity to the defensive line after posting 16 sacks in 2010, while OL Andrew Zeller (Red Lion, Pa.) was a second-team all-state choice in the fall. OL Evan Mulrooney and RB Brandon Ross are two of the top four players in the state of Delaware. "We helped ourselves at the running back position," Edsall said. FB Tyler Cierski is the second-ranked fullback in the nation according to Scouts, Inc., while Ross was a 2010 second team all-state choice. With the loss of four-year starter Travis Baltz, the Terps went out and signed a punter. Nathan Renfro was an All-Tennessee selection last season after handling both of the kicking chores. The Terps also added a pair of linebackers in Cole Farrand and Alex Twine and an all-state offensive lineman in Stephen Grommer, who hails from Spartanburg, S.C. Another local product, Michael Williams will join a pair of teammates from DeMatha High School in Kenny Tate and Pete DeSouza. Williams, a defensive back, was one of the top-ranked players in the Mid-Atantic region.
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