Memphis transfer Antonio Barton would help stabilize the point guard position for Maryland if he makes his way to College Park.

With Tennessee now emerging as a potential suitor for Antonio Barton, it’s becoming a three-team race for the former Memphis guard’s services. Barton will be eligible immediately and would likely be a starter wherever he lands. The Baltimore native averaged 5.6 points-per-game, 1.3 rebounds-per-game, and 1.1 assists-per-game this past season but saw his playing time decrease every year since arriving at Memphis in the 2010-2011 season. Below are the three teams that are in the running for Barton and what their chances of landing him are.

Maryland – Regardless of the emergence of Tennessee as a possible landing spot for Barton, Maryland still has to be considered the front-runner and stands the best chance of landing the local product. There’s just too many factors that sway in Maryland’s favor. First off, Barton is a Baltimore native and has a four-year old daughter that still lives in the area. He is the godbrother of Terps guard Nick Faust, who has been recruiting Barton to join him in College Park. Having his family close by may be the deciding factor for Barton but obviously, he has to weigh all his options. Barton would most likely start for the Terps right away with guard Pe’Shon Howard transferring back home to California to play close to his sick grandmother. The point guard was a position of instability for Maryland last season and it would be extremely beneficial to have that spot shored up for the 2013-2014 season. Barton’s presence would also allow Mark Turgeon to slowly ease freshman guard Roddy Peters in the point guard role. Barton has been long considered a “layup,” but the emergence of Tennessee makes it a little less certain.

Tennessee – The Volunteers weren’t considered a suitor for Barton but they have now emerged as possibly a premiere destination for the Baltimore native. According to reports, Barton was on Tennessee’s campus for a visit on “Wednesday or Thursday.” It’s pretty clear why Tennessee is interested in bringing Barton to Knoxville. Volunteers guard Trae Golden has decided to transfer and ironically is a player that is on Maryland’s radar if they fail to land Barton. Golden averaged 12.1 points-per-game to go along with 3.9 assists-per-game and 2.9 rebounds-per-game this past season. Now Barton isn’t as complete a player as Golden when it comes to grabbing rebounds and dishing out assists. However, he would still be an adequate point guard for Tennessee. Replacing Golden is essential because the Volunteers are returning their top two scorers in guards Jarnell Stokes and Jordan McRae. Barton would give them a third athletic guard that is capable of running the point. If there’s one team that Maryland should worry about swiping Barton away from them, it’s the Volunteers.

Syracuse – The Orange are probably running in the third position for Barton’s services but the connections to Barton are there. Barton is close friends with Syracuse forward C.J. Fair and Fair also hails from Baltimore. Barton would fit in nicely alongside Fair except for the one small wrench in the plan. St. Benedict’s (NJ) phenom point guard Tyler Ennis will be coming to Syracuse in the fall and is penciled at the one spot for the Orange. There’s no way that Ennis won’t start so this makes Syracuse a very unlikely spot for Barton. Barton is a graduate transfer and isn’t going to want to spend his last season of collegiate basketball coming off the bench. So Syracuse is probably a long shot to land Barton.

It was believed by many in the recruiting circle that Gilman 4-star DB Troy Vincent Jr. would be a Nittany Lion by now. With their lack of available scholarships due to the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Penn State has been putting the squeeze on tons of local recruits, stating their scholarship offer could potentially be off the table if they do not commit sooner rather than later. The fear tactic worked on Wise DB Marcus Allen, who committed to Penn St this past Monday over Maryland (I don’t think Allen’s recruitment is over by a long shot, but that story is for another time).

4-star Gilman DB Troy Vincent Jr. was supposed to be the latest to join Allen in Happy Valley. It was believed that he would commit to Penn State no later than this past Monday, leaving the Terps with one less option for their defensive backfield. But despite heavy pressure from the Penn State staff, Vincent decided to push back his decision and take more visits. For Terps fans hoping to land Vincent in 2014, this is excellent news, and here’s why.

As mentioned above, regarding their low scholarships numbers, Penn State is only allowed 15 scholarships this year. With 9 players already committed for the 2014 class, the Nittany Lions only have 6 scholarships left. As of right now, Penn State does not have any offensive linemen or defensive linemen on their commitment list. One would think some scholarships would be reserved for some beef right? In any case, Penn State does not have the luxury of waiting on a recruit to decide, and Maryland does. If Vincent decides to push his decision back any further, the Nittany Lions might be forced to look elsewhere.

There’s more good news; since deciding to delay his announcement, Vincent, along with his parents, has decided to schedule a visit to College Park on May 24^th. The Terps staff will get one more chance to present their case to Vincent before he decides on his college destination in the next month. Getting a recruit on campus before his big decision is always beneficial, especially with Locksley running the show. Vincent will undoubtedly take other visits, most notably Pittsburgh, who is also high on Vincent’s list. But this looks to be a battle of two between Maryland and Penn State for Vincent’s services.

Penn St could still be the favorite, but in light of Vincent delaying his decision, as well as deciding to visit Maryland with his parents, Edsall and staff seems to have closed the gap. Look for Vincent to decide sometime in early June, as he wants to have his decision in before the summer grind. This will be a tough battle for the Terps, but now their chances of landing this local stud from Baltimore seem to be just as good as their future Big Ten rival. Less than 48 hours ago, that was not the case.

Randy Edsall hopes to build off of last year’s successful recruiting class.

Following TerrapinStationMD’s recent article covering legitimate Terps basketball targets, we have decided that doing something similar for football only seemed right. Although National Signing Day is a long ways away, it’s never too early to look at realistic targets that Randy Edsall and staff could bring in by the time February 2^nd rolls around.

Keep in mind that Maryland has tons of offers out there, and some recruits who hold a Maryland offer did not make it onto this list. Some recruits put out very little information, while for others it’s difficult to gauge whether a teenager’s interest is sincere or fluff. In any case, here is the list of 2014 recruits that could potentially find their way to College Park in 2014:

Quarterback:

Will Ulmer  (St. Johns, Washington DC) (Committed) – With Ulmer on board, Maryland seems to be done looking at other quarterback targets. Ulmer chose the Terps over offers from Wisconsin, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Michigan St, Miami, FSU, Arizona St, among others. Excellent get for Edsall and staff.

 Running Back:

Johnathan Thomas   (St. John’s Prep, Massachusetts) (Committed) – Thomas committed to the Terps because he loved the campus, the direction of the program, and the location. He visited Maryland numerous times, including the Spring Game, and was close to committing then. His recruitment picked up recently, receiving offers from Arkansas and Nebraska. Other schools such as Penn St and Rutgers were close to offering as well. He liked Boston College a lot and enjoyed his visit to Arkansas, but ultimately the Terps offer was too good to pass up. With Thomas in the fold now, it’s hard to see Maryland push for another running back.

Ray Lawry  (Kingsway Regional, New Jersey) – Lawry is a good looking back who’s recruitment is slowly building. He currently holds offers from Maryland, Temple and Old Dominion, but schools like Miami, Penn St, Rutgers, Wisconsin and Pittsburgh are monitoring him closely. He has stated that he would like to stay local, but more schools are likely to get involved. After Thomas’ commitment, we’ll see if the Terps make a push or if they’re content with Thomas’ pledge.

Taiwan Deal  (DeMatha, Maryland) – Deal is a back with great size and surprising speed for someone who’s close to 230 lbs. The Terps were his first offer, but RB isn’t a crucial need for this class, especially following Thomas’ commitment. Maryland hasn’t been pushing the issue, and Deal has no issue looking elsewhere. He holds offers from a number of Big Ten schools, including Purdue, Iowa, Michigan St and Wisconsin. West Virginia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt have offered as well, but with Mikale Wilbon committing to Vandy, it appears the Commodores aren’t pushing so much either. Maryland could get involved later in the process down the road, and if they choose to do so, it seems that Deal would listen. But as it looks right now, it looks as if Deal won’t be happening to Maryland.

Wide Receiver:

Chris Jones  (DeMatha, Maryland) – Jones is a tad under the radar, but Maryland was one of the first schools to offer him. Along with Maryland, Jones holds offers from Wisconsin and Temple, while schools like Virginia, Rutgers and FSU continue to monitor him. He apparently likes the Terps a good deal, and he has been to many Maryland games and camps already. He has said he will wait it out to signing day, but the feeling is that Maryland could possibly land him before February rolls around.

Cam Phillips  (DeMatha, Maryland) – On the opposite side of Jones, Phillips brings a good amount of talent to the gridiron. He holds offers from Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Penn St, UNC and Georgia Tech. What’s a tad surprising is that Maryland has not offered, but if the Terps were to push, he’d listen.

Freddy Canteen  (Eastern Christian Academy, Maryland) – Canteen is a serious talent, and Maryland was one of the firsts to notice. Other offers include Rutgers and Temple, while UCLA, UNC, Miami and West Virginia continue to keep tabs on him. More schools will continue to jump in, but he appears to be legitimately considering the Terps. But as any recruit at ECA, academics could come into question.

Offensive Linemen:

Jared Cohen  (McDonogh, Maryland) (Committed) – Cohen was the first to commit to Maryland in the 2014 class, and he comes at a position of need. He didn’t wait long to join former teammate (and now current teammate) Roman Braglio in College Park as Maryland was the first school to offer him. Cohen will most likely be a guard in college.

 Justin Falcinelli  (Middletown, Maryland) – Maryland was one of the first schools to notice Falcinelli’s talents, but it didn’t take long for others to notice too. Since picking up a Maryland offer, he has received offers from Clemson, Penn St, Rutgers, Virginia and West Virginia. Falcinelli really likes the hometown Terps, and has expressed interest in staying home for college. He already has a brother on campus, which can’t hurt Maryland’s chances. At this point, and it’s still early, it looks to be between Maryland and Clemson. Fortunately, Maryland won’t have to wait until February to find out, as he plans to have his decision in before his senior season.

Brock Ruble  (DeMatha, Maryland) – This mammoth tackle has offers from all over, including FSU, Cal, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and many more. But despite a heavy offer sheet, Maryland is right in the thick of things. He’s been on campus plenty of times, and has even stated he wouldn’t mind staying home for college. Ruble’s decision could come by the end of summer.

Damian Prince  (McNamara, Maryland) – Prince is one of the best offensive linemen in the country, as indicated by his offer list. Top dogs like Alabama, Ohio St, Auburn, Florida, Clemson, FSU…well, let’s just say Prince has his choice of any school in the country. He’s been to many Maryland practices and games, and he does like Maryland. Prince is considered a longshot, but if Maryland can get some W’s early and a few more top local recruits to jump on board, Prince could very well be a Terp as well by signing day.

Sam Madaras  (Good Counsel, Maryland) – Sam is the younger brother of current Terps starting LT Mike Madaras. But even with big bro on board, Maryland has yet to offer Sam. While the Terps wait for Sam to camp to decide whether or not to offer, Madaras holds offers from NC State, Hawaii and Miami of Ohio. Madaras is being monitored by schools such as Boston College, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Penn St, along with Maryland.

Kevin Wilkins  (St. Joseph’s, New Jersey) – although a tad underrated, coach Edsall spotted Wilkins on a trip to New Jersey and didn’t hesitate to offer. He currently holds offers from Boston College and UCF, but schools like Miami, Rutgers, Syracuse and Virginia Tech are snooping around. Wilkins will most likely be a guard in college.

Defensive Linemen:

Jesse Aniebonam  (Good Counsel, Maryland) – Aniebonam is one of the top defensive linemen in the country. He holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, South Carolina, Clemson, Ole Miss…the list goes on. And yet, the Terps are right up there on Aniebonam’s list. He loves the direction of the Maryland program, and a decision could be coming soon. Aniebonam is a no-nonsense kind of guy, the kind of guy Edsall salivates over. I like the Terps chances here.

Rick Leonard   (Middletown, Maryland) – It would be hard to argue that there’s a recruit whose recruiting and exposure has blown up more than Leonard. Since receiving a Maryland offer, Leonard has gotten offers from FSU, Clemson, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Arizona, and Washington. He holds a West Virginia offer, but he immediately informed the Mountaineers that he was not interested (how can Terps fans not love this guy?). Despite an impressive list of offers, Leonard really likes Maryland. And just like teammate Falcinelli, the Terps will be in his top 3 when he decides hopefully by the end of summer.

Ricky Walker  (Bethal, Virginia) – Although a tad on the short side for a defensive linemen, Walker has great size, the size of a prototypical defensive end in the 3-4 base set. Walker has offers from all over, including Illinois, Ole Miss, Nebraska, UNC, Penn St, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin. With a list like that, Walker is in no hurry to commit, or narrow down his list for that matter. He’s been to Maryland a few times, and has said good things about the Terps program. But more schools will offer, and the more big schools that offer, the more Maryland could eventually become an afterthought.

Deonte Holden  (DeMatha, Maryland) – Holden’s got some pretty good offers on the table, uncluding Temple, Iowa, NC State, and Virginia. The Terps have not offered, but Holden likes Maryland a lot. My guess is, if they offer, he could be a Terp sooner rather than later.

Antoine White  (Millville, New Jersey) – White is a good talent with an even better attitude. He’s a hard worker who’s received offers from Boston College, Rutgers, Temple, ODU, Vanderbilt, as well as Maryland. Schools UNC and Penn St are keeping close tabs on him, and offers could be around the corner. While he really likes Rutgers, he does like the Terps and their Criminal Justice program, which could be a bigger factor than fans realize. Like I said, he’s got a good head on his shoulders.

Linebackers:

Melvin Keihn  (Gilman, Maryland) – Getting Gilman recruits has always been a difficult challenge for Maryland, but Randy Edsall has the Terps positioned well with this star linebacker. Keihn seems comfortable staying local for college, which helps the Terps a great deal (along with having fellow teammate Cockerille on board). But Maryland faces stiff competition, as he also likes Virginia and Virginia Tech too. He holds offers from UNC, Rutgers and West Virginia as well.

Jawhaun Bentley  (DeMatha, Maryland) – Bentley has been to Maryland many times, and has a great deal of respect for both the Terps and their coaching staff. He holds offers from Pittsburgh, Iowa and Virginia, while more schools are bound to offer. The good news is he really likes the Terps, and Maryland has positioned themselves well to land this Stagg.

Tyler Burke  (Coatsville, Pennsylvania) – Burke possesses great size for a linebacker, and the Terps offered him early in the recruiting process. Lots of regional schools have been in to see Burke, such as Temple, Rutgers and NC State. But Maryland was on him early, and Maryland could very well be Burke’s college destination if things go well this summer.

Spencer Kleinrichert  (DeMatha, Maryland) – needless to say, the Staggs are stacked at Linebacker this season. And Maryland wants in on the action. Kleinrichert is under the radar at this point of the recruiting process, but that only benefits Maryland’s chances and he could very well be a Terp before his recruiting blossoms.

 Cornerbacks:

Jalen Tabor  (Friendship Collegiate, Washington, DC) – There’s not much more that can be said that Terps fans don’t already know about when it comes to this prized jewel of the 2014 class. He’s been on record saying that he wants all top talent in the DMV to end up in College Park so Maryland can become a powerhouse. But like all 16- and 17-year olds, they love attention, especially if it’s coming from the best of the best. With Tabor’s recruitment, any school can be out of his top 10 one week and appear in the top 10 next week. He holds offers from just about every top school in the country. In the end, Maryland should be in his top 5, but he also loves Florida and Alabama, so Terps will be facing an uphill battle.

Troy Vincent Jr.  (Gilman, Maryland) – Vincent is the kind of kid that every coach wants on his team. He has a great attitude, is serious about his academics, and comes from a strong no-nonsense kind of family. He has an impressive offer list (Michigan, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Michigan St) but this could very well come down to Maryland and Penn St. He loves both coaching staffs and he likes that both head coaches are straight shooters. Penn St could be the favorite, but Maryland isn’t going to give up without a fight.

Marcel Joly   (Forestville, Maryland) – Joly is an interesting recruit. He hasn’t been in the US all that long, and he hasn’t played organized football all that long either. But he already possesses some serious skill in the backfield. He’s still raw, hence his small offer list (Maryland and Vanderbilt). Joly could be a perfect fallback option if the Terps fail to land Tabor and/or Vincent, but Joly won’t wait around forever. Terps will need to decide real soon if they want to make a serious push for Joly or not, otherwise he will be a Commodore.

D’Andre Payne (Friendship Collegiate, Washington, DC) – Yea yea yea I know, he already committed to Tennessee. But Taivon Jacobs committed to Ohio St last season, and now he wears Maryland red instead of Buckeye red. These things happen every year; a player commits to a school and after February 2^nd he’s wearing another team’s colors. Something tells me Payne’s recruitment isn’t over just yet. After all, Maryland was pretty high on Payne’s list before he committed to the Vols, so we’ll see.

Marcus Boone  (Woodbridge, Virginia) – Boone was once considered a running back, but he’ll most likely play his college ball on the defensive side.  Boone doesn’t hold any offers yet, but regional schools like Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, JMU and ODU are keeping a close eye on him. Unfortunately Boone is more known at this point for being best friends with top prospect and 5-star talent DeShawn Hand than for his play on the field. But a strong showing this summer and senior season could land Boone some pretty good offers, including Maryland.

Safeties:

Marcus Allen  (Wise, Maryland) – Allen is an intriguing talent. At one point he only held offers from Maryland and Pittsburgh, but now he holds offers from Arizona, Illinois, Clemson, Georgia Tech, NC State and Vanderbilt. Allen really likes the Terps, and Maryland couldn’t have positioned themselves any better to acquire Allen’s services. But Allen is a Pittsburgh native, so Pitt could be a serious contender. And schools like Clemson and Vanderbilt can’t be taken lightly, especially in the DMV.

Demetrius Johnson  (Annapolis Area Christian, Maryland) – Annapolis isn’t exactly a recruiting hotbed of talent, but Johnson is the exception to the rule. Maryland is in great shape with Johnson, being local and having best friend and former 2013 safety Elvis Dennah already already on campus. The only issue with Johnson could be academics, and if things get too out of hand, Johnson could be on his way out of Maryland an into the arms of the Wolfpack (he holds an offer from NC State in case you didn’t figure that one out).

Jordan Noil (Norcross, Georgia) – Although underrated at this point, Noil has the size and speed that coach Edsall couldn’t pass up. Noil is a recruit of a different color; he is very serious about his studies and wants to go to school that has a top notch architecture program. Advantage Maryland over everyone else!

MJ Stewart  (Yorktown, Virginia) – Stewart has the ability to play both safety and corner in college, and that intrigues a lot of college coaches. He really likes the direction of the Maryland program, especially moving into the BIG. Although Maryland is in great shape, he does like UNC a lot. Schools like Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia round out his list. This looks to be a battle between the Terps and Tar Heels. Stewart looks to make his decision at some point during the summer.

Following articles concerning possible transfers and Maryland’s basketball recruiting big board, TerrapinStationMD has some updates regarding basketball transfers and 2014 recruits:

Transfers:

It looks like it’s going to be Antonio Barton or nothing for the 2013 class. Eli Carter is off to Gainesville while Vertrail Vaughns is going home to North Texas. It’s probably time for Terps fans to cross Josh Davis off their transfer list as well. He’s still listing Maryland, but it looks like San Diego State is the favorite. Therefore, Antonio Barton remains the only target left on Turgeon’s wish list for the 2013 season.

Barton has come out with a short list of Maryland, Texas A&M, Kansas State and Syracuse. I’m a little surprised by both Syracuse’s involvement, and Barton reciprocating that interest. Barton has made it clear that he will choose a school where starting minutes are available. I question if those minutes are really available at Syracuse. Incoming freshman sensation Tyler Ennis will undoubtedly be the starter, meaning only backup minutes will be on deck for Barton. If Barton wants to make it to the show, he will have to do it while playing a limited role at Syracuse.

Then there’s Texas A&M. The Aggies are losing two of their top 3 scorers, so they’re clearly looking to add Barton from a scoring/production standpoint. However, there is a little uncertainty regarding available minutes in College Station. Leading scorer Elston Turner will be gone, but the Aggies return senior (and second leading scorer) PG Fabyon Harris. Along with Harris, Texas A&M also returns sophomore (and former 2012 four-star) PG J’Mychal Reese, who averaged around 26 minutes per game. Barton would obviously get playing time at Texas A&M, but with Harris & Reese running the show at point, just how many minutes will be up for grabs? Would Barton be ok coming to Texas A&M playing in a combo/interchangeable guard rotation? Barton is scheduled to visit College Station this week, so we’ll know more about where the Aggies stand.

Kansas State’s involvement makes more sense for both Barton and KSU. Their starting PG Angel Rodriguez recently transferred, leaving a rather huge hole to fill. Shane Souothwell returns, but he’s strickly a SG; Will Spradling can play the point, but he only averaged 7.4 PPG last season. After losing leading scorer (and former local stud) Rodney McGruder, the Wildcats clearly need someone who can both shoot and run coach Weber’s offense. With Rodriguez now in Coral Gables, KSU can offer the starting minutes that Barton wants.

And finally there’s Maryland. I do like Maryland’s chances, and it’s already been stated ad nauseam the Terps need for an experienced true PG since senior PG Pe’Shon Howard’s departure. Not to mention the numerous ties between Barton and Maryland. He is still scheduled to visit College Park within the next couple weeks and a decision looks to be made near the end of May, possibly early June.

2014:

Former KSU PG Angel Rodriguez has officially landed in Miami (TerrapinStationMD called that one), but it’s now clear that it will not hinder their pursuit in SG Dion Wiley. Although the Terps are still in great position, Miami, along with Cincinnati and Georgetown, are turning up the heat. Wiley is priority #1 for Turgeon, but the Canes and Bearcats are making a strong push for Wiley’s services. The longer this recruitment goes on, the less optimistic I feel about Maryland’s chances landing Wiley.

Some in PG Tre Campbell‘s circle are starting to wonder if Maryland is a good fit for Campbell. With Nick Faust, Seth Allen, Roddy Peters, and commit Romelo Trimble already on board, some wonder if Campbell will get serious playing time early in his college career. It’s a legitimate concern, but Turgeon clearly wants a true pass-first PG, which in my opinion, the Terps do not have. Peters has the best chance to become the pass-first PG that Turgeon desires, but as a freshman coming off an injury, you just never know. Peters has only been running the point for a little over a year now, so he is still learning the in’s and out’s of the position.

You can scratch SG Phil Booth off the Terps list for possible 2014 recruits. It’s very clear that Booth has moved on, and the Terps aren’t exactly making a huge push either. The favorites at this time look to be Georgetown and Villanova.

Mark Turgeon and staff seem to be turning up the heat on SG Jared Nickens. If there’s one part Nickens excels at, it’s outside shooting. Nickens can drain 3′s, but what’s gotten the attention of college coaches is his new found ability to score off the dribble. And at 6’6″, he has great size for a SG. There’s no doubt that Nickens would be a welcome addition to College Park with the Terps need for shooters, and scorers in general. He still doesn’t list any favorites, but he has expressed interest in the Terps. Unfortunately, his recruitment could drag as he continues to add more offers. FSU, Miami, Oklahoma and St. John’s round out a list that’s only going to get stronger. Nickens will most likely decide by the fall before his high school season.

You don’t have to scratch Goodluck Okonoboh off your list, but at this point, it’s best not to get your hopes up. Maryland is still in there battling, but the competition might be too steep for the Terps to have a legitimate chance at landing Okonoboh. Schools like Syracuse, Gonzaga and Connecticut are pushing hard, while more schools are getting involved.

Nov 12, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon tosses a ball to the referee during their game against the Morehead State Eagles at the Comcast Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Turgeon and his staff have been quite busy since the “live” period began, handing out offer after offer without breaking a sweat. TerrapinStationMD has already covered the possible 2013 transfers that could end up in Terps red and white this coming season. Here is a look at some realistic 2014 hoops targets, as well as a couple 2015 class nuggets:

Dion Wiley (SG, Potomac HS) – Wiley remains the Terps #1 priority in the 2014 class. The word around the campfire is that the Terps are in the driver’s seat to land Wiley, despite a coveted Florida offer. With the recent commit of Eli Carter (along with the other 5 guards UF now has in their backcourt), the Gators don’t appear to be a huge factor. The Terps biggest competition seems to be Cincinnati and Miami (they seem to be really pushing their big year this past season and obvious available playing time to get Wiley on board). Other schools such as Virginia and Georgetown are in play, but Maryland has really positioned themselves well with Wiley. The Terps are desperate for shooters, and Wiley is as good as they come (if you don’t believe me, he leads the Nike EYBL Tournament in 3-pointers made while shooting close to 50% doing it…wow).

Tre Campbell (PG, St. John’s College HS) – Turgeon surprised everyone when he offered little known Tre Campbell last week. The Team Takeover floor general was receiving interest from a lot of mid-major schools, but has really has blossomed during the AAU season. Since his Maryland offer, he has picked up offers from Pittsburgh, Xavier, and now Georgetown. The Terps are in good position, and the speedy energetic guard is scheduled to visit College Park in June. A lot can happen until then, but Turgeon obviously likes Campbell a ton (FYI, Campbell just finished the second Nike EYBL session with 25 assists to only 8 turnovers).

Obi Enechionyia (PF, Hargrave Military Academy) – Things have cooled down recently for Obi. An injury cost him the second session of the Nike ETBL in Hampton, VA. But Obi is still generating plenty of interest. Maryland, along with Notre Dame, Villanova, and Indiana are in good position. Then schools like Temple, Xavier, Miami and VCU round out his list. Something to keep an eye on; Obi wants to be a small forward as opposed to a power forward in college. This could alter the Terps plans slightly, but if Obi can maintain his skill level and improve his ball handling skills at the new position, the Terps will continue to recruit him.

Phil Booth (SG, Mount St. Joseph) – With the recent push for Dion Wiley, Booth appears to have moved on from the Terps. He still lists Maryland, hence him being on this list. But the Terps trails schools such as Indiana, Villanova, Georgetown and Temple. And despite a good showing in the Nike EYBL, it doesn’t appear that Maryland will make his top five.

Martin Geben (PF, St. Maria Goretti) – Geben’s stock is on the rise, and Maryland jumped in with an offer at the right time. Geben, another product of Team Takeover, has since received offers from Villanova, Virginia and Notre Dame. The Lithuanian currently leads his AAU squad in rebounds, steals and blocks while also shooting above 50% from the field in EYBL action. Maryland is right up there on Gebens list, and it could be an old classic MD vs. UVA battle for Geben’s services.

Donte Grantham (SF, Martinsburg HS) – After leading his high school to a West Virginia state championship, Grantham’s stock blew up. At 6’7”, he is a high flyer who can do it all on the statsheet. West Virginia is the favorite, but it all depends on if he decides to re-class to 2014 (he is currently considered a 2013 recruit). If so, his recruitment will be wide open. The good news is that Maryland will be right in there battling. The bad news is that his re-classing will open the door for a number of other schools to get their foot in the door.

Terry Larrier (SF, Phelps School) – Larrier received a Maryland offer last week, and the Terps offer will not be the last for this 6’8” bouncing ball of talent. The once unknown Larrier has now received offers from Maryland, Pittsburgh, Temple, St. John’s, West Virginia, and a slew of other schools. Even at 6’8” he can guard position’s 1-4 with his quickness and height (also possesses great defensive instinct). The Bronx native will narrow things down in July, and most likely decide by the fall.

Jared Nickens (SG, Westtown School) – Like Larrier, Nickens stock is blowing up fast. Once considered a mid-major recruit, Nickens has picked up offers from Maryland, St. Johns, Oklahoma, Miami, Temple, Wake Forest, South Florida, and many others. While not claiming any favorites, look for Nickens to decide by the end of summer.

Jacquil Taylor (C, Beaver County Day) – Once considered a surefire Maryland target (and possible commit), Taylor broke a bone in his foot and will miss the AAU circuit until the end of summer. Turgeon will need to assess his health and skill level when he returns. Until then, it’s best to put this one on the backburner until he returns.

Goodluck Okonoboh (C, Wilbraham & Monson Academy) – The Terps staff recently visited arguably one of the nation’s best shot blockers in school last week. Okonoboh is receiving interest from all over, and Maryland will have its work cut out for them if they wish to land this one. He lists Maryland, but shools such as Gonzaga, Connecticut, Indiana, Marquette, Missouri and Syracuse are all on the list as well…tough competition indeed.

Trayvon Reed (C, Shiloh HS) – This 7’1” shot-blocking machine is really starting to realize his potential. Turgeon and his staff saw firsthand what Reed can do (especially on defense) a couple weeks ago in Pittsburgh. The issue is that he is receiving all the attention that a southern recruit would (schools like Florida, FSU, Alabama, Georgia, GT, Auburn, Miami, etc.) If this was football, the Terps chances would be slim to none, but they have a real shot at landing Reed. Still, getting him out of the south will be a tough job for Turgeon.

Chinanu Onuaku (C, Riverdale Baptist) – The Terps have offered Onuaku, and the interest seems to be mutual. Onuaku likes the Terps a good deal, but he is in no rush to commit. And why would he? His offer sheet is just starting to pile up with the likes of Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Seton Hall, Xavier, among others. Onuaku is still a tad under the radar, but it’s clear that Turgeon is desperate for some rim protectors in the Alex Len mold.

Paschal Chukwu (C, Fairfield College Prep School) – Chukwu’s recruitment is a breath of fresh air. He has narrowed his schools down to only those that have strong academics, as he is very serious about his studies. But at 7’2” and a solid 230 lbs of muscle, schools like Georgetown, NC State, Notre Dame, and Connecticut are turning up the heat. Chukwu’s coach has made it clear that Paschal will remain in the Mid-Atlantic region, so Maryland has as strong a chance as anyone to land this blossoming prospect.

These seem to be the most realistic Terps targets for the 2014 class. Along with commit Romelo Trimble, this class has the potential to be elite (top 10-15). The list clearly indicates that Turgeon wants a pure ball handler (as Trimble, Peters and Allen are still considered more combo guards than point men), as well as a big man to protect the rim. With Len and Howard’s departure, this looks to be a 4 man class, with the potential to be a 5 man class (barring any additional attrition).

With the plethora of offers for the 2014 class, let’s not forget the couple of 2015 offers that were recently made.

Bryant Crawford (PG, Gonzaga) – This elite ball handler received an offer from Maryland, and now holds offers from the Terps, Georgetown, Villanova and Indiana. Make no mistake, Crawford could very well be a top 30 talent in the 2015 class, and the Terps will be a factor in his recruitment.

Franklin Howard (SG, Paul VI) – Just like Crawford, Howard is an incredible talent who already holds offers from Ohio State, Georgetown, Cincinnati, Virginia, Miami, Villanova, among others. The good news, just like Crawford, is that Maryland will also be a factor in this recruitment as if develops.

Former Memphis Tigers guard Antonio Barton is a major Terps target. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, Maryland target (and former Rutgers PG) Eli Carter decided to continue his basketball career at the University of Florida. Carter chose the Gators over the Terps and now will join a crowded Florida backcourt where minutes will be hard to come by. Make no mistake; Carter has major talent, as evidenced by schools such as Maryland, Texas, and even Duke looking in his direction. The former St. Anthony guard averaged  15 points per game on a dismal Rutgers squad, and Florida (judging by their hot pursuit) still remembered Carter dropping 31 against them in a double overtime UF win his freshman year. Following his visit to Gainesville this past weekend, Carter decided to cancel his Maryland visit and chose to be a Gator for his final two years of eligibility.

Some questioned the Terps involvement with Carter, wondering why Turgeon was after a shoot-first PG whose shooting percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio were not exactly eye-popping? And with two years of eligibility left, would the addition of Carter have affected Maryland’s chances of getting top Terps target Dion Wiley? The fact of the matter is Eli Carter would have been a huge talent upgrade, and more talent is what the Terps need right now. Turgeon and company would have loved to have added Carter, but lets face it: missing on a PG who looks for his own shot is not the end of the world.

With that being said, Turgeon and his staff are still blazing the recruiting trail, handing out offers to every local recruit, it seems. They still have their eyes on a few potential transfers that can help Maryland return to the NCAA Tournament this upcoming season. There are almost 300 transfers out there, which can make it pretty overwhelming for Terps fans to check out realistic targets. Here is a short list of realistic possibilities of recruits that can find their way into the Terps rotation come October:

Antonio Barton (PG, Memphis) – Barton just makes sense; he’s from Baltimore, has family that is close by, he’s the god brother of fellow Terps guard Nick Faust, and plays a position the Terps are in desperate need of. And wouldn’t you know it; Barton wants to go to a school where minutes will be at a premium. Makes sense doesn’t it?

Maryland’s biggest competition will be Kansas State, whose starting PG Angel Rodriguez transferred over a week ago (Miami looks to be the favorite). KSU has the minutes to give Barton, as does Maryland. There’s talk that Syracuse could be in play, but freshman sensation Tyler Ennis (St. Benedict’s Prep) will be the starter, leaving Barton as a backup, which likely means no dice. Therefore it will come down to Maryland and Kansas State. Do not put too much emphasis on the daughter/local/family ties aspects, Barton wants to make it to the show, and he will go to whatever situation that helps him the most.

Josh Davis (PF, Tulane) – This one is kind of all over the place, and Davis’ camp is keeping things close to the chest. The one-time NC State pledge came close to averaging 18 PPG and 11 RPG this past season, and many schools are vying for his services. NC State is still involved, but Maryland is in there battling as well. After the departure of Alex Len, this rebounding extraordinaire would be a perfect addition to the Terps squad. Schools like Gonzaga, San Diego State, Pittsburgh, Iowa State, and a slew of others are being mentioned as well.

Vertrail Vaughns (SG, George Mason) – Maryland is slow-playing this one at the moment, although Vaughns did visit College Park last weekend. The former Texas high school standout is known as a shooter, which would make the Logan Aronhalt comparisons that much more logical. His numbers were not that impressive this past season (only 5 PGG and under 35% shooting from behind the arc), and he started to lose some of his playing time to freshman Patrick Holloway. It’s unclear if his performance was more due to an injury or Paul Hewitt’s system. Vaughns would add depth to the Terps backcourt, but it’s apparent that Turgeon wants to hold this one off until after Barton and Carter’s decisions are made.

It appears that Turgeon and company (following Len’s departure and Howard’s transfer) want to bring in two transfers this season, a PG and a big. The emphasis is on a PG who can run his system, but also will not tie up future scholarships. Barton in particular would be a huge addition to the team, and a player like Davis would only solidify Maryland’s chances of reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years.

Dec 21, 2012; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon speaks to the press during the post game press conference at the Comcast Center against the Stony Brook Seawolves. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

The second session of the Nike EYBL AAU circuit continued in the same manner as week one: Team Takeover won, and they won a lot. With the amount of Maryland targets on that team, it’s worth checking in to see how they’ve done. Last week, we also saw the emergence of Kai Locksley, who has an offer from Maryland in football, play some inspiring ball on the hardwood as well. Dion Wiley continued to prove how deadly of a shooter he is, and Tre Campbell got back on track.

So anyway, how did they fare this weekend?

Team Takeover

Dion Wiley

Wiley isn’t shying away from the spotlight much by continuing his hot shooting for the second straight week. Wiley is an incredibly effective shooter, as evidenced by his 17 three pointers over five games this weekend. Wiley had a great first game of the second week not just because of his shooting, but because he affected the game in a variety of ways. With 13 points, four assists, and two steals, it was one of the more complete games he’s played.

That’s not to say Wiley isn’t multi faceted when he’s on, as evidenced by his game five: 24 points (5-of-10 from deep), six rebounds, and two blocks. It was his second 24 point game of the weekend, and the second time that he connected on five three pointers in one game. It’s nice to see Wiley doing things other than scoring in heaps on a regular basis, but boy is it nice to see him shoot that well.

Tre Campbell

Campbell had a tough first weekend, so it was encouraging to see him do a lot better during the second session. Campbell’s first outing was great, as he compiled 11 points and eight assists to zero turnovers. He also finally hit some three pointers this weekend, with five total. To see Campbell thrive as a facilitator was the most impressive sign of things to come; he had 29 assists over that five game stretch, and never turned the ball over more than two times. With so many weapons on his team, Campbell is making sure that everyone is playing to the best of their abilities.

He’s not exactly a sharp shooter, but Campbell is athletic and knows how to get his teammates open. As a pure point guard, he is as good a prospect as most. The best part about Campbell’s game? His team hasn’t lost this summer with him as the floor general.

Martin Geben

Geben has been showing up on radars, and last week he was one of the more impressive players on Team Takeover. During session #2 he wasn’t as dominant, but Geben showed that his game consists of more than just rebounding. His first outing of the weekend wasn’t much to write home about, as he didn’t attempt a shot the entire time on the court, but the rest of the tournament he displayed his uncanny knack for grabbing rebounds.

His second game was a 12 point, six rebound, two block performance (perhaps his best of the weekend). But interspersed in that was a six point, eight rebound, five block, three steal onslaught that helped guide his team to a 3-point victory over the Oakland Soldiers. Geben fills up the stat sheet in so many ways that it’s hard not to be happy with how he plays, even if he isn’t scoring in bunches.

Therence Mayimba

Mayimba isn’t really getting a ton of minutes in his outings, but he is another guy who fills up the stat sheet whenever he’s on the court. Nothing about his weekend stood out, outside of a five point, five rebound, two assists, two steal game one. With the amount of players on that roster who command lots of minutes at small forward, Mayimba isn’t going to get a lot of run. Still, he’s making the most of the scant ten minutes he is on the court.

Baltimore Elite

Kai Locksley

Locksley, a new guy on the Terps radar for basketball, looked like he was going to continue the great first week with his first game of the second session. Locksley had 13 points, a pair of three pointers, and five rebounds his first game, but from there he struggled and didn’t play a ton of minutes. Even when he did, his shooting seemed to be pretty off on the weekend, as two of his games resulted in fewer than five points.

This isn’t a damning thing by any means, and he has a lot more basketball to be played. As a two-sport prospect, you have to like Locksley even if he struggled.

Other players of note: Abdul Malik Abu

Abu is absolutely en fuego over the past two weekends, and he’s going to be commanding offers from just about every team in the nation by the end of this summer. He also reportedly likes the Terps, but I still have my doubts about Maryland’s ability to land him. Abu is a big time scorer, as evidenced by his 28 point, 10 rebound outing against the Alabama Challenge.

He followed that up with a 20 point, eight rebound line against the Arkansas Wings. Abu is a 6’8 forward who the Terrapins will have to press very hard in a crowded field of teams to convince him to attend. Luckily, they started earlier than almost every school, which might count for something.

Vine video clip of Jalen Tabor in action

There are certain players who can completely change the direction of a football program the minute they step onto the field. On the offensive end, it’s a player like Stefon Diggs, the rookie receiver last year who put up gaudy numbers and kept the Maryland Terrapins in many a game thanks to his heroic efforts. But on the defensive end? Now so more than ever, in a pass-happy environment like today’s game, a shutdown corner could be the difference between winning and losing. Perhaps that’s why it feels so important that the Terrapins reign in a supreme talent like Jalen Tabor.

Tabor is a consensus four/five-star player, being ranked the 27th best player by Rivals, 28th best by 247, and 19th best by ESPN in the 2014 football class of recruits. His suitors include powerhouse programs like Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Florida State among others. But that is not to say that the 6’1, 185 lb. cornerback doesn’t have the Terrapins on his radar. On the contrary, you could argue that they are impossible to ignore given their proximity and recruiting efforts to land Tabor.

Last Sunday, Tabor competed against hundreds of different players at the Nike Football Training Camp, showing off his athleticism, length, and ability to lock down receivers. Tabor outclassed most of the kids there and ended up with the earning the distinction of being MVP of the defensive backs attending. And despite his efforts, Tabor told me he still wasn’t satisfied.

“I felt like I did good, but there’s always room for improvement,” Tabor told me at Redskins Park after the camp wound down. “I could’ve done a lot better. I had two balls caught on me today, and I felt like those were my mistakes. I could clean them up a little bit. So it was a good day, but it wasn’t a great day.”

You can tell from Tabor’s attitude that he isn’t one to rest on his laurels. He wants to be pushed to the next level by everyone around him, from the coaching staff to his teammates. When asked about whether he might look forward to playing with some of the members on the University of Maryland, Tabor spoke highly of a specific player:

“I’ve always wanted to play with Stefon [Diggs]. I would love that, he would make me better on the field.”

Diggs is already in a select group of receivers in Division I football that can be considered elite, Going up against him on a day-to-day basis, along with Deon Long and Marcus Leak, is something that can turn a great cornerback into a professional grade player. Tabor would, in turn, make the receivers themselves even better with his ability to cover just about anyone on the field.

Still, the recruiting process is about more than just playing against your teammates. It’s important to know that you’re going to a coaching staff and a school that values winning. Judging by recent success (or lack thereof) the Maryland Terrapins would decidedly be out of the running for a player like Tabor. The Terrapins are firmly in the rebuilding process right now, which sometimes doesn’t appeal to stud recruits. Yet Tabor, to that effect, was enthusiastic about his feelings towards the Maryland coaching staff and the school itself:

“I’ve been to the University of Maryland. It’s right near my high school so I get around there a lot,” Tabor said when asked about the school. “I’ve been there so many time. I love the coaching staff, they’re trying to rebuild. You can tell they want to work, get better, and win.”

The Maryland Terrapins have the advantage of being in a lot of recruit’s backyards, which means more exposure. But perhaps what’s most important about the close proximity is that some of the current players on the team can make their own recruiting pitch to their friends seeking out colleges.

” Definitely Derwin Gray [is pressing me the hardest],” said Tabor about who is recruiting him the most. “He’s always talking about Maryland. Always. You can’t get him to talk about no other schools but Maryland.”

While it may not seem like the Terrapins have any chance, at least on paper, with a guy like Tabor, I wouldn’t count them out right away. There is still plenty of time left to make a pitch, and it helps that the coaching staff doesn’t have to go far to do it. Still, a player like Jalen Tabor is a game-changer on the defensive end, and you should expect to go the extra mile for a player that will do the same for your team.

Alec Eberle is a 3-star Offensive Lineman from Mechanicasville, VA. He flew under the radar for a little while, but his recruitment is starting to take off, as he received an FSU offer last Monday. But Maryland was the first school to offer Eberle, and he’s enjoyed his time when visiting College Park. Eberle took the time to talk to TerrapinStationMD following his performance at the Nike SPARQ training camp:

TSMD: How do you feel about your performance today?

Eberle: Today I kinda played a new position, a lot of the big time schools want me to play C because I’m 6’4” and I’m not tall enough to play Tackle. But for not playing that position ever, out of the shotgun, I mean I‘ve practiced snapping, I’ve never had someone rush me. But other than that, I think I did pretty good. My coaches helped me, and I learned some stuff as I was going because it’s like a foreign country and I’ve never played it before.

TSMD: How is the recruiting process playing out for you?

Eberle: It’s getting kinda hectic right now, you know Florida State offered me on Monday, and that kinda changed things. Now I’m getting a lot more interest from other schools because that’s a top 25 school coming after you, and that might shatter some people’s bones and make them want you even more. It’s pretty crazy.

TSMD: From a local standpoint, how do you feel about Maryland and what coach Edsall is trying to do in College Park?

Eberle: I actually talked to my mom’s friend who played for the Ravens and he was telling me about his relationship with Randy, excuse me, coach Edsall (laughs) and he was telling me about how great a guy coach Edsall is. I really like coach Edsall, I met with coach Edsall when I went up there for spring practice, and he was really cool. I love what Maryland is doing, I love how they’re starting to put more effort and time into their football program, and you can see the changes. They’re becoming one of those schools that’s all about football.

TSMD: Being an offensive lineman, how do you feel about Coach Brattan?

Eberle: I love coach Brattan (laughs), Brattan is a good guy. He’s one of those coaches where I’ve built a good relationship with and with camps and stuff, he’s one of those guys that I’ve known him for over a year. He’s just a great coach; everywhere I’ve gone, I mean I went to Auburn, I went to Florida State, and all those guys knows who coach Brattan is (laughs). And that’s the type of guy he is, and when you have a coach from another school tell you about a guy from another school, that’s a sign.

TSMD: With things getting a little more hectic, can you narrow down a top 5? Which schools are standing out to you right now?

Eberle: Well, some schools haven’t offered me yet, but schools I like are UNC, I like Maryland, Georgia, Florida State, and ODU. If I had to add a sixth, I like [Georgia] Tech too.

TSMD: When do you plan on deciding?

Eberle: I was gonna try and decide by the end of the school year, but now with more schools coming in, it’s making it harder. So probably by midway through summer, that’s my goal. I kinda wanna get it out of the way come football season.

As Alec Elerbe continues to learn the C position, more schools will make a run for his services. While bigger schools are bound to come through with offers, Elerbe doesn’t want any distractions for his senior season. Maryland is in excellent position, and even with big time schools making a push, I feel that Maryland will be there in the end.

We’d like to thank Alec Elerbe for talking with TerrapinStationMD and look forward to speaking with him in the future!

MJ Stewart is labeled as an ATH, but he is slated to play CB/S in college. He is a 3-star recruit, but has the skills and athleticism to get his forth star when it’s all said and done. He is from Yorktown, VA, and he holds offers from a lot of regional schools like Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, WVU, among others. Stewart took the time to talk to TerrapinStationMD following his performance at the Nike SPARQ training camp:

TSMD: How do you feel about your performance today?

Stewart: It was ok, I could’ve done a lot better. But overall I think I did ok. You know the guys I went up against last year were some of the top WR’s in the country last year and I didn’t let them catch the ball (laughs) and that was a big thing for me. It let them know that I can play with the best of them.

TSMD: How’s the recruiting process playing out for you so far?

Stewart: The recruiting process is going good, it’s slowed down a little bit but I know that April 15^th was the first day that coaches can call you and everything, and people that I’ve talked to who have already been through the process are telling me that it’s really gonna get real busy.

TSMD: At this point in the recruiting process, which schools are standing out to you?

Stewart: There really aren’t any favorites right now. When I decide, I mean, you know how it is. I’ll say there are no favorites on Tuesday, and then I’ll end up deciding on Wednesday (laughs).

TSMD: When do you plan on deciding which college to attend?

Stewart: I wanna decide in the summer before my senior year.

TSMD: What are your thoughts on Maryland?

Stewart: [Coach Edsall and coach Locksley] are definitely turning the program around. They’re getting a lot of DMV recruits, and I’ve been told that the DMV is one of the top recruiting areas in the country. So you know, just bringing all that talent to Maryland is really gonna turn them around. And with them going into the Big Ten, that’s a real good look for them. I think there’s a lot more bigger teams than the ACC. Not saying ACC teams aren’t big (laughs), but you know Big Ten is pound-it-down-your-throat kind of football, and I think that’s a real good look [for Maryland].

MJ Stewart has great size and athleticism for both CB and S. I feel that Stewart is flying a little under the radar at this point, and will be a great pickup for whoever he picks as his college destination. Maryland has positioned themselves well with Stewart, and I feel that when it is all said and done, Stewart could very well end up being a Terp.

We’d like to thank MJ Stewart for talking with TerrapinStationMD and look forward to speaking with him again in the future!