Terps Get Big

In news from College Park....

As the Terps continue to bask in the big, comeback win over Miami on Tuesday night,  they received a surprise on the recruiting front.

Eastern Shore power forward Damonte Dodd committed to Maryland, becoming the Terrapins fourth commitment in the 2012 class.

Dodd's signing was a surprise to everyone, but welcome nonetheless as Head Coach Mark Turgeon continues to build up the skeletal remains he took over from Gary Williams. Dodd's commitment was a surprise in the sense that he wasn't on the radar of any of the recruiting services or beat reporters covering the team.

The 6'9" 240 pound power forward is already an accomplished rebounder and shot blocker and was also being courted by Georgetown.

Turgeon is building his own version of the "beef brothers" as Dodd joins blue chip center Shaquille Cleare, who is one of the biggest Maryland recruits in more than a decade. Cleare,  6'9" 290 is from Houston and a consensus top-10 center nationally.

Small forward Jake Layman, a McDonald's All-American nominee, is an athletic 6'8 wing with great range and 6'2" guard Seth Allen, from Fredricksburg are Turgeon's other two commitments. Should Turgeon want to add more, he has room for two more scholarships.

Maryland has a young, talented group and are adding more. Things are really looking up at the Comcast Center.

Tom Blaz is Chief Editor of DC PRO and co-owner of The Recruiting Eagle a website focusing on Auburn University Athletics.