Terps Finally Keep One Home

Ralph Friedgen's offenses at Maryland have been anything but simple. The playbook is reportedly huge and very complex. After some 10-win seasons and big bowl wins over teams like Tennessee, it seems that the offense has been just that, off.

This may be attributed to the fact that teams like Illinois, Ohio State and Penn State have pillaged and plundered the state's top talent. I think Larry Johnson Sr. is actually paying property tax in the state of Maryland after what he accomplished in 2006 class - seven of the state's top 10 headed to state college.

Again this year, Ron Zook and Jim Tressell have gone into the DC/Maryland area and taken top talent. Thursday night, The Friedge struck back and kept a really good player home.

Hyattsville, MD wide receiver Kenny Tate has decided to stay home and committed to Maryland. Tate plays at the legendary DeMatha High School.

At 6-4, 210 pounds Tate is certainly an imposing figure on the outside. He is big and physical and not afraid of contact. He will make the tough catch in traffic. He also does a really nice job of catching the ball with his hands away from the body. He is a dynamic player. He simply finds ways to get into the end zone. In the 2006 campaign, Tate scored 11 touchdowns. Six receiving, one rushing and four more in the return game. He is not overly explosive but may factor into the return game for Maryland.

Experts say that he is best player from the state of Maryland to stay home since Vernon Davis. If Maryland fans expect to compete for ACC titles, they must do a better job of keeping Maryland talent home. Maybe Kenny Tate is the start of in-state dominance for the Terps.

The pass catching portion of this Terps class is easily the strength. Solid wide receivers like Tate and Kerry Boykins as well as big tight end Devonta Campbell will really provide some offensive weapons for that Friedgen offense. Now, if they can just keep a quarterback upright long enough to deliver the ball.

Photos by Athlon Sports