Talent runs deep in Maryland top 20
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The only thing friendly about Fort Washington (Md.) Friendly, at least to opponents, is the name of the school.
The Friendly high school football team dominates opponents. Games are usually out of reach by halftime. So, it's no surprise that four of the Rivals.com 2008 Maryland Top 20 hail from the state's power program.
Friendly speedster Lamaar Thomas leads a deep group in the state this year. Thomas, (5-11, 178) has displayed amazing speed on the track this past year. His most recent time was a blazing 10.16-second 100-meter dash, which qualified him for the Junior Olympics. Thomas could play running back, wide receiver or cornerback in college, and will take his official visits before deciding. He is currently listing Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Illinois, Boston College and Maryland as his favorites.
Thomas' backfield mate at Friendly, Josh Haden, checks in at No. 4 in state. The 5-foot-8, 191-pounder ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the Brooklyn NIKE Combine. Many believe he is the strongest player in the country, pound-for-pound. Haden has narrowed his choices to Florida and Boston College, and is expected to make his decision soon.
Joining Thomas and Haden in the state top 20 are teammates Quinton Sales and Devin Wallace. Sales, a 6-foot-2, 263-pound offensive guard, is ranked No. 13 in Maryland. Wallace, a 5-foot-10, 192-pound safety, is currently at No. 16. Sales has offers from UConn, Wake Forest, Akron and Kent. Wallace has an offer from Virginia.
Hyattsville Dematha Catholic checks in with two players in the top 20 - wide receivers Kenny Tate and Rodney McLeod. Tate - ranked second in the state - is a 6-foot-4, 215-pounder with good speed, excellent strength and advanced downfield blocking ability. McLeod, a 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, could play wideout or cornerback in college and checks in at No. 8.
The University of Maryland has struggled keeping players home over the last few years, but Ralph Friedgen and company are off to a solid start with this class. Forestville wide receiver Kevin Dorsey and Baltimore Milford Mill defensive tackle Teddy Dargan have already committed to the Terps. Dorsey and Dargan rank Nos. 5 and 6, respectively.
Other committed players in the state include Owing Mills McDonough School offensive lineman Lane Clelland (No. 3 committed to Notre Dame), Westminster Winters Mill defensive tackle Jeff Braun (No. 10 committed to West Virginia) and defensive tackle Cody Blue from Columbia Wilde Lake (No. 15 committed to Maryland).
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