It's been more than a week since Signing Day for the class of 2008. So, I suppose it's about time to start paying attention to the 2009 kids.
For the Terps, quarterback will likely be a huge priority for 2009. Hampton (Va.) Phoebus quarterback Tahj Boyd sports an early offer, but Maryland will have plenty of competition for his services. That's apparent in GatorCountry.com article about Chesapeake (Va.) Great Bridge receiver Logan Heastie.
Another thing that Boston College has going for them is that Heastie's close friend, Tajh Boyd, quarterback at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia, is being recruited by the Eagles.
"We talk about going to school together all the time," Heastie said. "I think where he wants to go will be a big factor in my decision because he is one of my best friends and an awesome quarterback. Florida isn't really looking at him, but he is interested in Wake Forest, Boston College and West Virginia."
Here's what Boyd had to say about his recruitment in this Yahoo! article from last week.
"Boston College is really high on my list," he said. "Tennessee is up there along with West Virginia. I like those schools because I've gotten a chance to meet my position coaches. They all seem like good guys that are honest."
Earlier this week, fellow Hampton Roads stud Logan Heastie expressed a desire to play with Boyd in college. What is Boyd's view on that?
"Hopefully we can get a chance to play together," he said. "We talk about going on visits all the time and I look forward to the recruiting process with him."
• Quince Orchard athlete Travis Hawkins is another big name to watch. One thing working in Maryland's favor is a former teammate of Hawkins' – who just so happens to be a future Terp.
"Zack Kerr (Maryland) and I have been talking about going to the same college," he said. "That's something I'm thinking about and hopefully it happens. But I'm looking at all my options. I'm about to go on a junior day to Rutgers this weekend. I've also been to Penn State and loved the atmosphere.
"I do like Maryland since it's close to home, but in some ways I do want to get away a bit."
2008 football recruiting
• In case you haven't read enough about Maryland's 2008 football recruiting class, here are a couple more takes on the newest Terps. First, CollegeFootballNews.com weighs in with a less than optimistic opinion, ranking UM's class the ACC's ninth-best.
Ralph Friedgen and his staff aren't brining [sic] in the top talents the other ACC teams are; this isn't the hot program it was a few years ago. There aren't many, if any, instant impact players, so Friedgen has to be planning for the future with this group. However, this staff has done more with less, especially at quarterback, where Tyler Bass should eventually be the man.
CSTV.com's Tom Lemming doesn't offer a ranking for the ACC teams, but does give a somewhat optimistic look at the Terps' class.
Maryland is kind of the sleeper of the ACC. Everybody forgot about the guys who committed early, where they filled their needs at defensive line and wide receiver. Kenny Tate (62) and Kevin Dorsey (77) highlight the pass-catching talent.
• For any college fantasy football players out there, the Terps might not be a bad pick this fall at the wide receiver position. CollegeFantasyFootballInsider.com names UM's incoming receiving trio among recruits to keep an eye on.
WR Kerry Boykins, Maryland - Deep ball threat with excellent hands. Daruis Hayward-Bey [sic] has a lock on one of the starting spots, but Terps could use someone to complement him.
WR Kenny Tate, Maryland - Physically mature athlete that could play multiple positions for Ralph Freidgen.
WR Kevin Dorsey, Maryland - Quarterback/wide receiver that will get a chance at wide receiver for the Terps.
• Ralph Friedgen went on and on about Kenny Tate's character during Maryland's Signing Day press conference last week. This story from The Washington Post seems like a good example of what Friedgen was referring to.
Tate's latest move, though, had little to do with basketball for the No. 8 Stags (17-8, 11-5), who take a five-game winning streak into tonight's game against No. 18 Bishop McNamara. Before Sunday's 62-49 victory over St. John's, Tate approached [DeMatha coach Mike] Jones with an unusual request: The Maryland football recruit wanted to switch jersey numbers to honor a friend, football teammate Jonathan Mason, a senior who will play for Harvard in the fall.
Mason's father, Ted, died Saturday night, one day after suffering a stroke, according to school officials. For the rest of the season, Jones said, Tate wanted to switch from his customary No. 4 to the No. 5 that Mason wore on the football field. The plan also required junior forward Naji Hibbert to give up No. 5 on the court; he now wears No. 34.
2008 basketball recruiting
• How did Los Angeles native Ken Bowman end up at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas? The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle's Jeffrey Martin has the answers in this feature on Bowman. Below is the relevant recruiting info on Bowman, but the whole piece is definitely worth the read.
Bowman, who is averaging approximately 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for Hutch (18-6 overall, tied for first in the Jayhawk West with Seward County at 8-2), took an official visit to Maryland.
It was a one-day trip, but the Terps were playing Duke. Although Maryland lost, 93-84, the experience still left an lasting impression.
"They're at the top of his list -- as they should be as that's the only official visit he's taken," [Hutchinson head coach Ryan] Swanson said.
• UConn assistant Andre LaFleur visited 2008 power forward prospect Ater Majok in Australia last month. According to The Connecticut Post, Majok is all set to return the favor.
Ater Majok, a 6-foot-10 forward originally from the Sudan, will visit UConn on March 1 to see the Huskies take on West Virginia. Currently living in Australia, Majok is also considering Kansas, Maryland, UCLA and Baylor.
