Profiles In Terpage – A Countdown To The Football Season: Evan Mulrooney
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 the only center in Maryland’s 2011 class.
Evan Mulrooney, Freshman, Center
Stats:
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 282
Ratings: Two stars, #4 in Delaware by Rivals; three stars, #15 center by Scout; three stars, #108 offensive tackle by ESPN
40-yard dash time: 5.3
High School: Salesianum School (Wilmington, De.)
How’d He Get To College Park?
Evan Mulrooney was the left tackle of the best team in the state of Delaware, and he trailed only offensive guard Trip Thurman (who signed with Florida) in terms of the best offensive linemen in the state. He committed to Maryland back in April of 2010, during the spring game, and stayed strong throughout the coaching change. There were rumors that he might decommit, and NC State was pursuing him hard, but Mulrooney stayed with Maryland and will be a Terp this fall.
At Salesianum, Mulrooney played nose guard and long snapper as well as left tackle. He started out at the school as a tight end, but when the coaches discovered his hands weren’t good enough for the position they moved him over onto the line, with great results. Last year, the Sallies averaged over 300 yards per game and over 30 points per game with Mulrooney leading the way.
Mulrooney was recruited to Maryland by Tom Brattan, who took the prospect in the coaches’ office and showed him their wishlist at center – where Mulrooney’s name stood alone. He committed on the spot.
Mulrooney was named first team all-state and all-league after his senior season.
More after the jump.
Nickname:
I got nothing, but he has a 6’2″ grandmother. That’s worth something.
Career Highlight:
Getting that scholarship offer from Maryland
Career Lowlight:
The coaching staff leaving
Arbitrary Top Five List:
Football players from the University of Delaware:
1. Rich Gannon
2. Conway Hayman
3. Dennis L. Johnson
4. Joe Flacco
5. Scott Brunner
Dream season:
Mulrooney redshirts, but plays well enough on the squad team to challenge for the starting spot next season.
Nightmare season:
Mulrooney redshirts, but falls behind Sal Conaboy for the backup position on the depth chart.
2011 Prospectus:
Evan Mulrooney is a very good prospect, despite his rankings. Two of the agencies (Rivals and ESPN) listed him at offensive tackle, hurting his stock – he simply can’t play offensive tackle in the ACC. What he can do, however, is be a very productive center – he’s got the build for it and he’s incredibly athletic. Here’s what I said in his player profile:
"He’s fast enough to make it all the way around from his left tackle position to the right-side C gap (to the right of the right tackle) before the running back gets there and strong enough to knock over linemen and linebackers when he gets there.Playing in Delaware, it’s hard to fully gauge his talent because of the competition he’s going against. He’s able to outmuscle his opponents in Delaware, but as a center and against ACC competition he’s going to have to use his leverage more and get lower."
There’s quite a bit of competition at center, as we mentioned yesterday with Chris Pressley. Besides the walk-on Pressley, there’s returning starter Bennett Fulper and redshirt freshman Sal Conaboy, who was a pretty highly touted prospect coming out of high school in his own right. Mulrooney is a guy that the old coaching staff liked quite a bit, but he’s going to have to prove himself once he gets on campus. Luckily for the Terps, he has the talent and the drive to do so.
Up Next:
Our next player was one of the top offensive tackles in Western Pennsylvania last season.