COLLEGE PARK -- This year's recruiting class could give Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen and new offensive coordinator James Franklin more than enough depth at wide receiver and could help attract a quarterback down the line.
Last week, the Terps received an oral commitment from DeMatha wide receiver Kenny Tate, after getting similar commitments from receivers Kevin Dorsey of Forestville and Kerry Boykins of Chesapeake, Va., along with running back Davin Meggett of Surrattsville, the son of former Towson State and NFL standout David Meggett.
"The three receivers they got are all guys people think are future pros," talent evaluator Jeff Ermann of Scout.com said. "Dave Meggett's son is not that highly rated, but I think he's going to be pretty good. He kind of flew under the radar."
All are expected to make it official today, the national signing date for football.
They will be part of what many consider to be Friedgen's most talented recruiting class since returning to his alma mater after the 2000 season. It could be the foundation for a program that has had only one winning season in the past four.
Friedgen will hold a 3 p.m. news conference today to discuss the signings.
Along with the 19 who have committed to the Terps, Maryland is still pursuing other players, including quarterback Nathan Stanley of Tahlequah, Okla., and Enrique Davis, a running back from Lynn Haven, Fla., who is at Hargrave Military Academy.
Though the competition at quarterback next season will likely be between Chris Turner and Josh Portis, the Terps received a commitment from Tyler Bass of Stockbridge, Ga. But according to Ermann, next year's crop of East Coast quarterbacks is a lot stronger.
"They just decided to wait because there are a lot of big-time quarterbacks and they now have the receivers to sell the quarterback," he said.
Franklin, who joined Friedgen's staff after Maryland's Emerald Bowl loss to Oregon State, has already made an impact after returning to Maryland from Kansas State.
According to the Terrapin Times, Franklin was responsible for the commitment Maryland received from Eteyen Edet, a highly rated linebacker from Fort Washington, and was principally involved with Teddy Dargan, a top-rated defensive tackle from Milford Mill.
Ermann said Edet is "in the E.J. Henderson" mold and Franklin "came in and locked him up, otherwise I don't think he would have gone there. I don't think he [Franklin] had a huge influence because the class was just about done by the time he got there, but I think they'll reap the benefits of having him next year."
don.markus@baltsun.com