Prolific N.C. Running Back Has Maryland No. 1

Despite being overshadowed at times by a couple of prolific teammates, Durham (NC) Hillside running back Gary Douglas managed to put up some eye-popping statistics last year as a junior -- 145 carries for 1,889 yards and 16 touchdowns. Douglass also has an impressive list of offers, including a recent one from Maryland – which moved the Terps to the top of his priorities.

“It sent Maryland right to the top of his list,” Hillside assistant coach Antonio King said of Douglas, who received a written Terps offer in the mail last Wednesday. “He met with coach Ray [Rychleski] in May, and Coach Ray felt real strongly about making an offer after he got a chance to meet with the other coach” and review Douglas’ highlight tape.

Douglass is a 6-foot-1, 175-pounder who runs a 40-yard dash in the mid-4.4s and has all the intangibles of a top-notch running back.

“What makes him a guy who all these schools are offering, is he has great vision and balance,” King said. “He has outstanding vision and breakaway speed and is an all-around good player.”

Despite playing on the same team as a quarterback who threw for more than 2,900 yards and UNC commit Greg little, who barely missed a 1,000 yard season both rushing and receiving, Douglass has earned himself a nice list of offers: Maryland, North Carolina State, Cal, Marshall, Northwestern, Duke, ECU and Tulsa. North Carolina is interested as well.

Douglass, who will visit Maryland June 29, told Terp Sports Report he’s not concerned about how far away from home he goes for college. He’s quite excited about the prospects of Maryland.

“I’ve seen them a lot on TV and I know they have some great coaches,” he said. Rychleski told him “They’re taking two backs and I’d be good as one of them.”

Douglass has solid grades and is a hard worker. He’s spending the summer working twice a day with a personal trainer, while sandwiching individual work in between. He does not plan on committing soon, but would like to get it done before football season, and a quality visit to College Park could go a long way toward solidifying the Terps in the top position for his commitment.