A few weeks ago we looked at local Terps targets on the class of 2017, so now we’re looking at the ones a little farther south from College Park.
(Discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
But first…
Terrapins get first class of 2017 commit
Tight end Andrew Park out of Burke, Virginia became the commit to the University of Maryland’s 2017 recruiting class on Thursday. In a tweet announcing the commitment, announcing his commitment, Park referenced “the movement” and “DMV2UMD”. Park, a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports, also listed offers from Pittsburgh and Miami (OH), among others.
At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Park already has a great build, especially for a player his age, so with some time in a college weight program it wouldn’t be surprising to see him add another 15-20 pounds of muscle. In his tape the Lake Braddock product displayed soft hands and good athleticism, but he needs to improve his blocking, especially in Walt Bell’s run-heavy spread offense.
His commitment is also a good sign for Maryland because the Terps didn’t pull a single recruit out of Virginia last year despite being just miles away. Virginia is a relatively talent-rich state, so it helps to have a quick start.
Now we’ll take a look at a few Florida recruits the Terps are going after.
DT Cam Spence, IMG Academy (FL)
There is going to be a trend here, a lot of these players are going to be from IMG Academy. Recruiting the Sunshine State is one of D.J. Durkin’s stated goals and a lot of that starts with Spence. Originally from the Baltimore area, Spence is familiar with the Maryland program, but the Terps are going to have plenty of competition. Spence is rated as a 4-star recruit by 247 Sports, and lists offers from nearly every top program in the nation. He’s got a great frame at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, and should add another 20 or so pounds of muscle over summer ball. Right now he says Maryland, Ohio State and Penn State as his top three, so there’s good news for Terps’ fans right there.
DE Joshua Kaindoh, IMG Academy (FL)
Another Maryland native at IMG, Kaindoh would be the the Terps best defensive recruit in recent memory. Kaindoh has said that he wants to go north for college and that he is trying to build a relationship with UMD’s staff, but this one is a long shot. Kaindoh is rated a 5-star recruit by 247 and for good reason. He has the size, skill and athleticism to torture offensive lines at the college level before heading to the NFL after three or four years. Currently Kaindoh’s offer list reads like a who’s who of the top programs in college football. If Durkin can convince Kaindoh, and maybe a few of him IMG teammates, to come to College Park, we’re in for an exciting few years.
OG Cody Bowes, St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
It may not be pretty, but games are won in the trenches, so talented linemen are always in demand. Luckily for Maryland, it is among Bowes’ top three school, which also includes Ohio State and Tennessee. He’s got a frame with room for additional muscle, and moves well for a player that is 6-foot-5, 280 pounds. Additionally, if the Terps can beat out Ohio State for Bowes, it will be a big step forward and a huge moral victory after the Buckeyes scooped UMD’s top two commits in the weeks before signing day.
LB Jordan Anthony, IMG Academy (FL)
Anthony is originally from Olney and formerly attended Good Counsel, so he’s plenty familiar with the Maryland program, but that’s not going to make him any easier to get. Anthony is rated a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports and has a list of offers from schools across the country. he is a versatile athlete that can play either linebacker or running back, but it’s likely he’s on the defensive side of the field in college. At this point most of his production comes from his sheer athleticism, so he’ll need to refine his technique both in coverage or when attacking the backfield. He’s the type of player who could contribute right away, especially on special teams, but is a couple years of development away from being a true difference maker.
LB Dylan Moses, IMG Academy (FL)
Just to get this clear before we start, it is pretty much guaranteed that Maryland will not get Moses. He is considered the number one overall prospect by most scouting services, and the only schools that haven’t offered him just don’t want to waste their time. But because it’s fun to dream, Moses would transform the Terps on whichever side of the ball he plays on (he’s also a highly rated running back). He has elite size, athleticism and instincts that make him one of the most exciting prospects in years. Formerly an LSU commit, Moses still seems destined for a SEC power, but he did seem at least a little bit excited when he was offered by Maryland in February, tweeting that he “gotta take a visit soon.”
Andrew Feather is a multimedia journalist from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Currently a broadcast journalism major at Elon University in Elon, N.C., Feather serves as the Assistant Sports Director of Elon Local News, the school’s award winning, student-run news broadcast.