Mason Zimmerman Knew Maryland Was The Right Fit

Anthony Wayne (OH) center Mason Zimmerman knew Maryland was where he wanted to play his college football and didn’t need to take any more visits (Mandatory Credit: Hudl)

After visiting fellow Big Ten schools in Illinois and Northwestern, Anthony Wayne (OH) offensive lineman Mason Zimmerman knew where he wanted to be.

Zimmerman may have only made one trip to College Park, but it was all he needed to see. On June 15, Zimmerman pledged to the Terps to continue the major recruiting momentum for coach Randy Edsall and his staff.

“I knew Maryland was the right fit after my visit,” Zimmerman told TerrapinStationMD after his commitment. “Based off coach (Greg) Studrawa’s personality and knowledge of the game, it really just showed that Maryland is the place to be. The campus is beautiful and it kind of felt like a second home to me already. I thought in the back of my mind that it was the right fit and I thought ‘why should I wait longer to commit when I could just do it right now.'”

Zimmerman held offers from Air Force, Cincinnati, Marshall, and Toledo in additions to the Terps. The Ohio native was part of a flurry of commitments during the last month that has the Maryland community beaming with excitement.

The Big Ten is a meat and potatoes-type of conference with some of the most athletic offensive linemen around. For example, a total of seven offensive linemen that played at Big Ten schools were drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. Maryland’s new conference has also had at least one offensive lineman drafted in the first round in the last seven drafts.

Maryland is definitely loading up on offensive linemen with offensive guard E.J. Donahue (Linganore), offensive guard Ellis McKennie (McDonogh), and offensive tackle Will McClain (Middletown) in the fold as well. Not to mention that the Terps have offensive tackles Damian Prince (Bishop McNamara), Derwin Gray (Fork Union Military Academy), Brendan Moore (Round Rock Westwood, TX), and Sean Christie (Patchogue-Medford, NY) on board for the upcoming season.

Zimmerman was still very early in his recruitment, but felt that Maryland was the perfect fit and didn’t need to see any more schools.

“I was really just looking for the right place. I wanted to make sure I was comfortable where I was going.”

Maryland really seems to have that home-type feeling in the eyes of recruits. Edsall and the staff have been getting several recruits to commit before they leave campus or shortly after. Zimmerman likely could have gotten several more offers once his recruitment intensified.

“The one visit just sold me,” Zimmerman added. “I really like how everything is centralized around the football stadium. All the academic buildings and the dorms are surrounding the football stadium. I really like that.”

When it comes to Zimmerman on the field, he is a very athletic center that should fit in nicely with the Maryland program.

“I think I should fit in pretty well,” Zimmerman said. “I know there’s a lot of room for improvement on me. I definitely have to get quicker and stronger. I think that it’s definitely going to take hard work, but I should be able to handle the offensive style that they run.”

One of Zimmerman’s biggest attributes is protecting the quarterback and making sure the running backs can get through the line and make plays happen. The Anthony Wayne senior seals off holes well and is a very strong force on the offensive line.

Edsall loves linemen that are versatile and Zimmerman fits the bill.

“When I come in, I’ll be evaluated as an offensive lineman and not as a center. However I prove myself and wherever I prove myself, that’s where I play.”