By Mike Loveday

According to new Suitland head coach Ed Shield, the Rams have their first commitment of the year.

Jeremiah Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound defensive back committed to play for the University of Maryland last Tuesday.

The rising senior recorded 75 tackles and one interception last season, earning Big School All-State Honorable Mention as a defensive back.

Johnson becomes the third Maryland high school football player to commit to the in-state Terrapins.

Wise's Titus Till committed earlier this year and Atholton's Matt Robinson committed two weeks ago.

Here is the full list of verbally committed Maryland high school athletes.

By Mike Loveday

Atholton head coach Kyle Schmitt e-mailed me to let me know that Matt Robinson has committed.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound athlete committed to play for the University of Maryland yesterday.

"They were the only school that was really straight up with me," Robinson said. "They were always concerned with my speed and how I would do at camp. That's what they were waiting for -- to see me at camp and make sure I was a good fit for them."

Maryland offered Robinson on June 20, after the rising senior attended the Terrapins one-day camp.

"I was going to go and visit some more places, but the chances of them offering because a lot of them weren't high on me anyway," Robinson added. "Maryland was the only school that was really high on me and I felt that I didn't really need to go and use that offer to get more."

Robinson said he grew up rooting for Maryland football and used to go to games with his neighbor as a kid.

Robinson is the second Maryland high school football player to make his pledge to the University of Maryland. Wise's Titus Till committed to the Terrapins earlier this year.

The 2010 Verbal Commitment list is now updated with Robinson's commitment.

UPDATE: It has been an exciting week for Riverdale Baptist.

Just a few days after rising senior Steven Thames picked up his first official offer, star athlete Brian Burns picks up his.

Burns was offered by Temple; according to Riverdale Baptist head coach Bob Shields.

On a more somber note, this story was reported by the Gazette yesterday. I received a little more information today. Hassan Dixon's mother is still being monitored according to my source. Also, I have heard that there is going to be a vigil held at Shiane Dixon's middle school, Rocky Hill, this evening.

ESPNRise encourages comments from its users. Leave a comment below. Mike Loveday covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com. Mike can be reached at Michael.Loveday@espn.com

By Mike Loveday

Atholton (Columbia, Md.) receiver Matt Robinson picked up some good news in the form of another offer on Saturday.

According to Atholton head coach Kyle Schmitt, Robinson picked up an offer from the University of Maryland after attending their one-day camp on Saturday.

The offer is Robinson's fifth, but first from a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) school.

The 6-foot-4, 201-pound Robinson also holds offers from James Madison and Fordham, UMass and Stony Brook.

ESPNRise encourages comments from its users. Leave a comment below. Mike Loveday covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com. Mike can be reached at Michael.Loveday@espn.com

By Mike Loveday

With the start of practice almost a month away it seems like a good time to take a look at some of the rising juniors that could become impact players on their teams this year.

After watching countless hours of film along with attending underclassmen camps and combines along with the NFL player development camps I had the opportunity to witness some of the states best talent up close.

I will take a look at some of these athletes over the next week in a series of blogs.

In no particular order, these are just some of the players I expect to play big roles on their teams as juniors.

Nick Forbes, Thomas Johnson: Big, strong and fast Forbes matured as the season wore on and already has several verbal offers.

Deron Ames, Snow Hill: (pictured above) Ames does not get a lot of ink west of the Eastern Shore, but the rising junior only needs 1,200 yards to surpass the 4,000 yard mark. With two years ahead of him, Ames could make a run at the state rushing mark once Tavon Austin is done with it.

Matt Robinson, Atholton: Robinson could be the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the state for 2010. A two-time Bullseye Super 100 selection, Robinson has the perfect size and shows terrific hands.

Andrew Veith, Clarksburg: The receiver ran a 4.69 40-yard dash at the Schumann's Underclassmen and was impressive during the MDVarsity.com Passing Jamboree.

Don Hursey, Bishop McNamara: Hursey made a name for himself at the Nike Maryland Combine. The 5-10, 185-pound safety ran a 4.54 40 and posted a SPARQ rating of 91.71. He continued to impress scouts at the Nike Penn State camp.

Hassan Dixon, Good Counsel: Of the rising juniors on the Falcons, Dixon may not be the best known, but that could change this season. With a 4.53 40 along with 17 bench reps at 155 pounds, Dixon could see time as Caleb Porzel's backup, causing havoc for tired defenses.

Khalek Shepherd, Gwynn Park: (pictured right) The Yellow Jackets are loaded this season and head coach Danny Hayes said Shepherd is the hardest working athlete he's every had at Gwynn Park. With a 4.69 40 and Nygee Carmichael ahead of him, Shepherd should see time at running back on third downs and late in the game.

Ego (J.R.) Ferguson, St. John's Catholic Prep: Ferguson only appears to have come from nowhere. As a sophomore, Ferguson recorded 106 tackles and 18 sacks and made the biggest noise in the offseason. Ferguson matched up against one of the best offensive lineman in the Midwest at an Illinois camp and dominated so much that the Illini made him an offer. Maryland soon followed suit.

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