VA athlete picks the Terps

Maryland added help to their secondary with a commitment today from Virginia Beach (Va.) Kempsville athlete Trenton Hughes. The 5-foot-11, 173-pounder picked the Terrapins over offers from Virginia Tech, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, Akron, East Carolina and others.

"I committed this morning to all the coaches there," he said. "I was able to talk to coach Banks, Brattan and Ralph Friedgen. Man, they were delighted to get my commitment and said they had been waiting for it. I know they really wanted me to commit early because they didn't want anyone else to get my spot. After I committed, they basically said they plan to take care of me."

The two-star prospect selected Maryland because of a variety of factors.

"I really like the environment around there, it was like home to me," he said. "I like the facilities a lot and I could also see the chance to do a lot of things my first year there. I think I can make a big impact and then of course I like the ACC. I'm a big ACC man and the coaches there treat me right.

"The coaches were big too. Coach Banks is the defensive back coach and he really likes my swagger and set out to get me. I also like coach Brattan. He's an excellent recruiting coach that toured me around the school and told me everything I needed to know about Maryland. He made me very comfortable there."

As for playing time, Hughes plans to get an opportunity as soon as he arrives in College Park.

"The coaches have told me if I come up there and do my hardest I can earn a spot," he said. "I already know I can do it and I can feel it. I know my confidence level is up, this year I just have to work on my technique to get even more ready for Division I football."