Maryland Big Show Updates

October 6, 2012; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Randy Edsall greets his players before the game against the Wake Forest Demon at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

In Maryland’s first Big Show, the impact it made on recruits will have a lasting effect. Maryland was able to bring in some top talent, including five-star Byron Cowart, four-stars Auden Tate, Kai Locksley, Quarvez Boulware, Isaiah Prince. and Ryan Davis. And everyone came away impressed, some even blown away.

4-star Ryan Davis

"Maryland was turnt people sleep on that place ✊"

4-star WR Auden Tate

"I wanna go back to Maryland!!"

I’ll admit, I was wrong. On Saturday morning, I predicted some commitments including a four-star, and as the time has come and gone. However, that does not mean Maryland’s efforts were wasted. A number of recruits were blown away by the facilities and coaching staff, and current commits loved bonding with their future coaches and teammates. Below I break down some updates from current commits and targets.

• 2015 Linganore OG EJ Donahue: the gem of the class, EJ Donahue told me that he “loved it” on Sunday. “I got to see the coaches again and bond with my future teammates a lot so it was a really good experience. The coaches always give me tips and help me out.” And as confirmation, Donahue again told me he’s “been sold” on Maryland, meaning he is a solid Maryland commit. So what has he been doing for Maryland since? “Everything I can, I’ve been talking to everyone that has interest in Maryland or that Maryland has interest in.”
• 2015 St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) RB Deltron Sands: Sands told me camp “went great.” Sands made the trip with teammates Mike Harley and Lavarus Taylor, who also enjoyed the trip to Maryland. “It was a fun and good college experience and none of us want to leave.” Sands also added that he has been recruiting for Maryland and that he will be taking his official visit to Maryland when they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes for Maryland’s first Big Ten home game.
• 2015 Creekside (NJ) WR Rashad Blunt: Blunt told me the Big Show went great and that the staff will inform him this weekend whether he receives that coveted Maryland offer. After no offer was extended by Maryland, Blunt made it official and committed to Rutgers on Sunday afternoon. Even though Blunt is a great athlete, Maryland looks to be in great shape with other receivers, such as our next prospect.
• 2015 Atlantic Coast (FL) WR David Gardner: Gardner has seen his recruitment with Maryland intensify his recruitment in recent weeks, so yesterday’s event was a big day for Gardner’s recruitment. Gardner said that he “loved everything” during his trip to College Park. “Coach McCardell told me that I did well in routes in the air and 1v1 drills.” When asked what to work on, Gardner said “I never feel that there’s one thing I need to work on. I always think that I can better myself all around so I’m just going to work on all aspects of my game.” Gardner added he will “probably” make a return trip to Maryland in the fall. I think it may be a matter of time before Gardner makes it official to Maryland, but yesterday left a big impression on him.
• 2015 Eleanor Roosevelt OT Isaiah Prince: Prince told me that the Big Show was “great” as he got to match up against one of the nation’s best in Byron Cowart. “Today was a coaching day, and the staff definitely gave me some great tips on things that I need to improve on.” Prince visited Maryland just one week after returning from Columbus where he took in Ohio State for the first time. “Ohio State has a bigger campus, but that doesn’t matter to me, both are great schools.” Prince has no future visits planned.
• 2016 DeMatha OT JP Urquidez: Although he was unable to compete, Urquidez spoke very highly of the event. The DeMatha lineman spoke very highly of the staff. “I got to meet my recruiting coordinator (Locksley), strength & conditioning coach, gave tours of locker room, nutrition room, trainer room, and football offices and got to watch the offensive/defensive line drills.” Although Texas seemed to jump to the early lead in his recruitment, Urquidez says he’s just taking it all in right now and has no leaders. “Maryland has a good home feeling to it. It’s not crazy big, very social and gives you a personal feel and you will know everyone watching you.” Yesterday’s visit gave me a better sense of Maryland, it’s just a great in-state school to have.” Urquidez will head back down to Texas on July 17, which is the Texas version of Maryland’s Big Show.
• 2015 Gilman ATH Kai Locksley: in a free article posted by InsideMDSports, Kai Locksley broke down how the event went and his commitment plans going forward. Locksley ruled out rolled over the Tide and eliminated them from contention, meaning he will keep his current top six of Maryland, Florida State, Auburn, Oregon, Virginia Tech and Texas.