1.16.14 Football Recruiting Notes: Damian Prince Feeling The Gator Love?

Sep 7, 2013; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Randy Edsall reacts during the third quarter against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

With National Signing Day just three weeks away, I look into the remaining 2014 targets, where they stand and where I predict each recruit to commit to. I noted the many new offers for the 2015 prospects.

• Bishop McNamara offensive tackle Damian Prince announced that his top three are Maryland, Florida and South Carolina, stating that Florida State and Miami have a considerable gap due to lack of communication. However, Prince is listening to schools outside his top three as Adam Friedman of Rivals announced that coaches from Auburn and Penn State will be visiting him at school on Thursday. I still think that he chooses a school in his top three. Just like Friendship Collegiate Academy cornerback Jalen Tabor, Maryland seems to be cooling at the wrong time. Florida flipped Tabor from Arizona and Tabor has stated he will heavily recruit Prince to follow him. Mike Farrell of Rivals announced “OL Damian Prince told me that Jalen Tabor is working him very hard for #Gators and it is working a bit. #Gamecocks #Terps” South Carolina has picked up steam, as coach Steve Spurrier and the staff hosts Prince on his official visit this weekend. Right now, I would not put my money on Maryland, but I certainly would not say they have a considerable lead. Prince truly believes Maryland is building something special, but he is as big of a priority for Maryland as is Florida and South Carolina. If I had to pick right now, I’d pick Florida.

• McDonogh School offensive guard Jared Cohen decommitted from Maryland after he became curious as to what Penn State has to offer him. Cohen repeatedly stated that those two schools are the only schools he is considering, but North Carolina has recently offered, though I do not view the Tar Heels as a legitimate threat. When Vanderbilt coach James Franklin was officially hired at Penn State, he flipped recruits from Vanderbilt to Penn State and reached out to prior targets and commits. Cohen did not get that call, despite having an official visit set for the weekend of January 24. The Crystal Ball shows Maryland as the underdog with 45% of the predictions, but I think Cohen will be a Terp when all said and done.
• Colonial Forge (VA) cornerback Daniel Ezeagwu is a name Maryland fans have heard a lot more since about a month before Tabor’s announcement. Many believed he was just a back up plan, but since Tabor went elsewhere, the staff has turned up the heat on the late-blooming prospect. Ezeagwu has five offers, including Maryland, James Madison, Virginia, Old Dominion and Towson with interest from Virginia Tech. Ezeagwu is an intriguing prospect because the 6’2” defensive back is very quick with great instincts, but played against mediocre competition. Nonetheless, with scholarships still available, Ezeagwu is a good find that provides much needed depth. He will visit Virginia this weekend and Maryland next weekend, as both schools are pushing hard for him. When it’s time to announce, Maryland will beat Virginia for Ezeagwu’s services.
• Maryland offered offensive tackle Andrew Miles (GA), a Western Carolina commit, on Tuesday. Don’t see him as a legitimate option unless Maryland misses out on Damian Prince.
• Annapolis Christian Academy athlete Demetrius Johnson will almost certainly go the JUCO route as he is not academically eligible. In two years, he could be one of the most sought-out prospects in the country and Maryland will certainly be right there waiting for him.
• Dwyer (GA) safety Shawn Boone has been relatively quiet, but Maryland will make an in-home visit this Thursday as well as Arkansas. With the new hire at Penn State and limited space left, I expect Boone to pick NC State.
• Per Friedman, Maryland and Virginia Tech are stopping by to visit C.D. Hylton (VA) 2015 offensive tackle Matthew Burrell. Burrell has over 25 offers, but I get the feel he will end up somewhere in the SEC.