College football

Bogie QB stays with Maryland

By Times Staff
Published January 25, 2005

It might be a firm commitment. It just didn't come out that way at first.

Boca Ciega quarterback Terrell Skinner , the Times Pinellas County player of the year, was talking about college choices Wednesday when he let slip he was committing orally to Maryland.

It came out in a hush, as if he surprised even himself.

"I don't think I'm going on any other trips," Skinner said. "I like Maryland."

Only Central Florida showed interest before the season, but Skinner's list of suitors grew after he rushed for 917 yards and accounted for 21 touchdowns during Bogie's district title run.

Interest swelled to include Michigan State, Iowa State and Georgia Tech after practice for the Senior All-Star Game, when Skinner showed he could stay with Florida commitment Louis Murphy of Lakewood while playing defensive back.

"My stomach was in a knot all day," Madani said. "This is a total weight lifted off my shoulders."

PLUS TWO: At Armwood, the number making commitments continues to grow. The Class 4A champ has six after receiver Aaron Davis (Bowling Green) and offensive lineman Chad Peterson (Navy) committed last weekend, joining defensive back R.J. Anderson (South Florida), fullback Kalvin Bailey (Iowa), receiver Kareem Royal (the Citadel) and quarterback Jameel Williams (Bethune-Cookman).

Halfback Demetrius McCray has narrowed his choices to USF, New Mexico and Indiana, which he plans to visit this weekend.

CHANGING PLACES: Middleton's O.J. Murdock is 88th and Bailey 97th on rivals.com's final national ranking. Fourteen Florida players are in the top 100, topped by No.6 Fred Rouse of Tallahassee Lincoln, the Times Blue Chip prospect of the year. Greenbelt (Md.) Eleanor Roosevelt's Derrick Williams , a Penn State oral commitment, is first.

BARON TO GO: St. Petersburg Catholic linebacker Carl Teague , who had 10 sacks for the Class 2B semifinalist, orally committed to Connecticut. Teammate Everett Barney said he will play at Eastern Michigan.

SERVICE-ORIENTED: Land O'Lakes fullback/linebacker Scott Mays , the Times Pasco County defensive player of the year the past two seasons, has received nominations for the Air Force and Naval Academy and has a visit planned to the Air Force Academy in Colorado on Feb.4. Gators lineman Devon Kearney sent film to Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C.

ON THEIR WAY: Middleton lineman Will Bergen orally committed to Illinois one week after telling Iowa State he was headed there. Other commitments: Jefferson defensive back Josh Walker (San Diego State), Jefferson offensive lineman Frank Gil (Charleston Southern), Plant lineman Will Scarle (Navy), Countryside tight end Parker Miles (Richmond) and Lakewood offensive lineman Philip Whipple (Albany State).

NOT YET: Former Wesley Chapel running back Tyrone Tomlin and linebacker Maurice Standifer have to improve their academic standing at Mesabi Range Community & Technical College before they can listen to scholarship offers.

[Last modified January 25, 2005, 01:20:40]