Reggie Lucas has been involved with the Wake Forest-Rolesville (N.C.) football program for the past 15 years, with most of that time spent as a defensive assistant.
When Lucas became the Cougars' head coach one year ago, priority No. 1 was getting in the film room and better familiarizing himself with his offense. Lucas knew offensive tackle Ryan Doyle was a top returning player, but looking at tape on the 6-foot-6, 265-pound junior put things in a whole new perspective.
"I think just watching him on film ... I had the opportunity to study the offense a little more," Lucas said. "I was just impressed with the way he finished blocks off. He's just going to finish you all the way until the whistle. ... It's not just his size, but his quickness and his athletic ability. His quickness really impressed coaching staffs, along with his size."
The first college staff sold on Doyle's ability were the Maryland coaches, who offered him a scholarship earlier this spring. Doyle accepted that offer three days ago."It was over the weekend, I think after his visit to Maryland last week," Lucas said of Doyle, who is Maryland's fourth commitment of the 2011 class. "He was real excited about the school and the way the coaches related to him and made him feel really welcome and wanted. It was obviously a [great time for him to experience] the University of Maryland, and he was very impressed with the overall visit."
East Carolina, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Wake Forest were all "getting close" to offering, but Lucas said Maryland was always the most intriguing option for Doyle. The Terps' staff was immediately sold on Doyle's work ethic.
"I just think Ryan has a tremendous work ethic," Lucas said. "He has matured a great deal in the weight room. When you see Ryan, you're not going to see much body fat or any body fat at all. His maturity in the weight room has been outstanding. He's also just a smart student of the game. He has studied our offense and learned the playbook inside and out. He's definitely the captain of our line. Overall, he's very mature on the playing field and off it as well."
Maryland brought in four versatile offensive linemen in the 2010 class, and adding Doyle for 2011 continues that trend. Lucas thinks Doyle has the potential to play a couple different spots once he arrives in College Park.
"Ryan played offensive tackle for us the last two seasons," Lucas said. "We're actually talking about moving him around this coming season with his athletic ability. As far as the University of Maryland, they have options with Ryan. I think he could play guard. He definitely has a lot of upside as far as putting on weight. I think he could play guard or tackle. I think he's very flexible."