Feb. 7, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football team has signed 25 student-athletes to national letters of intent for the 2007 season, head coach Ralph Friedgen announced Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period.

The class is highlighted by four All-Americans, 15 student-athletes ranked among the top 100 nationally at their positions, and 18 who received all-state honors during their careers.

TE Devonte Campbell (Forestville, Md.), WR Tony Logan (Piscataway, N.J.), RB Ronnie Tyler (Wagener, S.C.) and TE Lansford Watson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were each SuperPrep All-Americans. Watson was also a PrepStar All-American. In addition, all four were named all-state.

DL Dion Armstrong (Ft. Valley, Ga.), P Travis Baltz (Whitehouse, Ohio), OL Tyler Bowen (Helena, Ga.), DL Ian Davidson (Alexandria, Va.), WR Derek Drummond (Pomfret, Md.), OL Joe Faiella (Freehold, N.J.), DL Maurice Hampton (Hampton, Va.), DB Dominique Herald (Newark, N.J.), OL Bearthur Johnson (Hoboken, N.J.), WR Quinton McCree (Brandywine, Md.), LB Ben Pooler (Morristown, N.J.), WR, Torrey Smith (Fredericksburg, Va.), OL Joe Vellano (Rexford, N.Y.) and RB Taylor Watson (Accokeek, Md.) were each all-state honorees.

Of the 15 signees ranking in the top 100 at their positions by various entities, six were ranked among the top 25.

Bruce Campbell is rated as the No. 17 offensive tackle prospect by Scouts, Inc. and Devonte Campbell is 12th among tight ends by Scouts, Inc. Hampton checked in as the No. 25 offensive guard by Scouts, Inc.

In addition, Herald was the No. 6 safety by Scouts, Inc. and Logan the No. 10 defensive back by SuperPrep. Lansford Watson was also the No. 8 tight end by Rivals.com.

"We're very excited about this class," Friedgen said. "There is a lot of talent at a number of different positions and we've also filled a number of needs."

The signees hail from eight states, including Maryland/Washington D.C. (5), Virginia (5), New Jersey (5), New York (2), Georgia (3), South Carolina (2), Ohio (1) and Connecticut (1). The Terps also signed one international product, DB Michael Carter, of Windsor, Ontario, who played for Erie Community College last season.

Baltz is one of the signees who will be eligible for spring practice after graduating early from high school. He enrolled in classes at the university last month and will have four years of eligilibilty beginning in the fall.

QB Jamarr Robinson and DB Antwine Perez are also recent additions to the roster, though not included among the 24 signees.

Robinson signed with the Terps last season and enrolled in classes last month. He will also be eligible for spring practice and have four years of eligibility beginning in the fall. He 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 also played receiver.

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 SuperPrep Elite 50 player and All-American following a standout career at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, N.J. The 6-foot, 190-pounder was the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection as a senior

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.

Terps Notes: Three former Terps - Stephon Heyer, Adam Podlesh, Josh Wilson - will take part in the NFL Combine later this month in Indianapolis, Ind. ... spring practice is scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 27 with the team practicing each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until the Spring Game on Saturday, April 28 (3 p.m. in Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium).