Jan. 26, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland football program has added three student-athletes to its roster as Antwine Perez, a highly recruited defensive back, has transferred to Maryland from USC, punter Travis Baltz has come aboard as an early entry, and quarterback Jamarr Robinson has entered school after signing last season.
Perez and Baltz enrolled in classes Wednesday, while Robinson registered earlier this month. All three will be eligible for spring practice which begins March 27. Perez, who will sit out the 2007 season under NCAA transfer guidelines, will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2008. Baltz and Robinson will each be true freshmen in the fall.
Perez was one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation last year. He was a 2005 Parade All-American and a first-team All-America choice by USA Today and EA Sports. Perez was also a Super Prep Elite 50 player and All-American following a standout career at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, N.J.
The 6-foot, 190-punder was the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection as a senior after posting 82 tackles, 10 deflections, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Perez also threw for 1,700 yards with 14 TDs and ran for 195 yards with two TDs.
Perez played in seven games as a backup safety with the Trojans last season. After entering school in the spring of 2006, he saw action mostly on special teams, collecting three tackles on the season.
Baltz was a two-time all-state honoree for Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio. He was an honorable mention All-Ohio Division II choice by the Associated Press as a junior and a senior. He averaged 42 yards per punt in 2005.
He recently attended the U.S. Army Combine in San Antonio, where he emerged as the No. 1 punter with an average of 45.9 yards per attempt. He also ranked third in kickoffs and tied for eighth in place-kicking at the combine which featured many of the top punter and place-kickers in the nation.
Robinson, who signed a national letter of intent last February, was a three-year starter, including the final two at quarterback, at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C. The 6-foot, 175-pounder started at receiver as a sophomore.
As a senior in 2005, Robinson completed 94 of 202 passes for 1,618 yards and 10 TDs. He also rushed for 167 times for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to first-team All-Southwestern 4A Conference honors. He was also a finalist for the Roman Gabriel Award as the top player in the Charlotte region in 2005.
