Commitment Date: June 15, 2012
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Friendship Collegiate Academy
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 280 lbs.
ESPN Rank: #23 OT, 4-star
Scout.com Rank: #7 OT, 4-star
Rivals Rank: #14 OT, 4-star
247Sports Rank: #5 OT, 4-star
40 time: N/A
Other Offers: Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, USC, Washington, West Virginia.
So far, Derwin Gray is the best Terps’ football recruit we’ve looked at in the “Meet the Recruits” series, and he is rated among the Terps’ best recruits this year. Along with WR Deon Long, CB Will Likely III, and QB Shane Cockerille, Gray is in the top tier of Maryland’s Top 25 class of 2013.
Gray is a prototypical left tackle, with very impressive physicality. He decided to stay close to home with his commitment, as he was offered scholarships by most of the prestigious college programs in the country. Mike Locksley should be very proud of the job that he did in getting this commitment, as Gray was recruited and offered by the likes of Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, and USC. Essentially, every SEC and Big Ten school wanted him. But the Terps got him.
The major recruiting analysts differ on the exact ranking of Gray among other offensive tackles in this year’s class, but most of them agree that he is a Top 15 OT. Gray is going to play a big role next year for the Terps, as he is expected to take over the left tackle position. Expect Mike Madaras, who started most of the games this year at left tackle, to compete for the right tackle job with Ryan Doyle and Nick Klemm. Justin Gilbert started all of the Terps’ games at right tackle last season, but will be graduating.
Mike Locksley continues to impress Terps fans with his recruiting prowess, as he snatches up top recruits from the hands of high-level SEC schools. Last year it was Stefon Diggs, this year it’s Derwin Gray. The Terps always seem to have a shaky offensive line, but Gray’s presence should sure up the left tackle spot for a while in College Park. If Mike Madaras can make the transition to right tackle, the Terps can move on to focusing on the middle of the offensive line, where all of the starting jobs seem to be up for grabs this season.
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.