McCollough orally commits to Terps
Randallstown teammate Alaeze still undecided, but is leaning toward UM
Originally published October 12, 2004
Randallstown's Jamari McCollough, considered the state's top defensive back recruit and rated No. 19 nationally at that position by Rivals100.com, yesterday announced his oral acceptance of a full football scholarship to the University of Maryland.
Although McCollough's teammate, Melvin Alaeze, called it "accurate" that he is leaning toward the Terps, the All-Metro defensive end said he still is considering Virginia Tech, Miami, Ohio State, Florida and Florida State.
"Being an in-state player, most people feel I should favor Maryland. I wouldn't mind making it a package deal," said Alaeze, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive end who is rated the nation's No. 1 defensive end recruit by Rivals100.com and Prep Star magazine. "When I'm ready, I'll make it known.".
McCollough visited Rutgers, Connecticut, Virginia Tech and Maryland.
"I was like, 'What's the point in going on my visits? What am I waiting for? I already know where I'm going,' " said McCollough, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound player who ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at a Penn State camp.
"Maryland and Virginia Tech were my top picks. I discussed it with my father. Maryland's close to home so my family can see me play. Maryland felt like home."
McCollough joins 2004 Randallstown graduate and former running mate Christian Varner, as well as Domonique Foxworth (Western Tech), C. J. Feldheim (Hereford), Scott Burley and Jason Goode (each from Woodlawn) and Durrand Roundtree (Lansdowne) as recent Baltimore County players to receive scholarships from the Terps.
