Terps get local R250 WR Ellis

The giant snowball that is the "DMV to UMD Movement" continued to grow on Friday night. Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Rivals250 wide receiver Tino Ellis chose the Terps over Virginia Tech.

"I decided to pick Maryland because I wanted to make a 40-year decision," said the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Ellis. "Maryland has great academics and it's home for me. It's a great degree that is respected everywhere. I have a great relationship with the coaching staff, coach (Randy) Edsall and (assistant) coach (Mike) Locksley."

Two homegrown coaches really made this an easy decision for Ellis.

"I'm definitely close with coach Locksley and coach Cory Robinson," he said. "He just got there but I've known Cory for years and him being there is special for me."

Ellis is aiming to get on the field early in his career and to become a major contributor. Maryland's quarterback of the future, Rivals100 Dwayne Haskins Jr., has been working hard to recruit Ellis and the two have already been having throwing sessions in the offseason.

"It definitely played a factor," Ellis said. "Dwayne Haskins has really been in my ear since his commitment and I've really bought into it. He's told me some things, he's told me the truth and I've really thought about them. We've been working on rhythm and just getting to know each other."

Maryland now has 17 commitments in the 2016 class and 11 of them are from the Washington D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area known as the DMV.

Last season Ellis had over 60 catches and scored nine touchdowns. He also had three interceptions on defense.