Profiles In Terpage – A Countdown To The Football Season: Adrian Coxson
By petevolk
A recurring series where we will profile every player and coach on Maryland’s roster, counting down to kick-off against Miami. Thanks to OBNUG for the idea.
Today we profile a player who transferred from Florida.
Adrian Coxson, Freshman (RS), Wide Receiver
Stats:
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 203
Ratings: Four stars, #241 national, #7 in Maryland, #35 wide receiver by Rivals; four stars, #19 wide receiver by Scout; four stars, #101 overall, #16 wide receiver by ESPN
40-yard dash time: 4.45
High School Stats (Senior Year): 1,280 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns, 650 yards passing and eight touchdowns, four punt returns for touchdowns
High School Stats (Junior Year): 40 catches for 987 yards and 12 touchdowns
High School: City College High School (Baltimore, Md.)
How’d He Get To College Park?
Adrian Coxson was a star at City College (also the alma mater of Nick Faust), playing as a wide receiver in his junior year and as a wildcat-style quarterback in his senior year. Originally marked as the top prospect in Maryland by Rivals, he was later downgraded to four stars (from five) and only the seventh-best prospect in the state. Coxson is one of Maryland’s top recruits in recent memory, and only trailed safety Titus Till among in-state Maryland commits from that class.
Originally, however, it wasn’t going to be that way. Coxson committed to Maryland, but after a short time at camp with the Gators decided he wanted to return closer to home. After receiving his release from Florida, he decided to transfer to Maryland, much to the joy of Terps fans. After redshirting last season, he’s ready to make an impact early with the Terps.
Coxson chose the Terps over Florida (obviously), Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others. He was first-team all-city and second-team all-met in 2008.
More after the jump.
Nickname:
Not touching this one.
Career Highlight:
Transferring back to his home state.
Career Lowlight:
Having to miss a year due to NCAA transfer rules.
Arbitrary Top Five List:
Top in-state recruits committing to Maryland from the last decade, by Rivals ranking:
1. Melvin Alaeze
2. George Covington
3. De’Onte Arnett
4. Kenny Tate
5. Kevin Dorsey
Dream Season:
Coxson lives up to all the hype, taking over the starting spot opposite Kevin Dorsey.
Nightmare season:
Coxson remains buried on the depth chart.
2011 Prospectus:
Adrian Coxson is currently the co-backup to Kevin Dorsey at the WR-X position, alongside converted quarterback Devin Burns. Dorsey is the wide receiver on Maryland’s roster with the most hype coming into this year, but Coxson honestly isn’t that far behind. True, he’s not one of the three (and a half) starters, and he’s not even an unquestioned member of the two-deep.
The place where Coxson may find the most playing time is actually at WR-Z, where Quintin McRee is now the starter. If all goes well for Coxson, he may end up starting at that position soon into the season – he’s certainly got the talent, it just depends on who the coaches (and DOB) feel most comfortable with.
Adrian Coxson is undeniably talented. His ratings, his highlight film, the fact that he originally committed to Florida – it all points to him being one of the most talented players on Maryland’s roster. The only thing previously holding him back was a lack of experience in the system. Now, with new coaches coming in and a new offense altogether, he’s on the same page as the rest of Maryland’s receiver. We expect him to be one of Maryland’s biggest contributors in the passing game this year, and we’re excited to see him take the field this September.
Up Next:
Our next player is a converted quarterback.