Virginia Wide Receiver Has Maryland No. 1

There’s been no shortage of suitors for Chesapeake (Va.) wide receiver Kerry Boykins, but one school is ahead of the newly trimmed pack in the recruitment of the talented 6-foot-1, 200-pound playmaker from Oscar Smith High School.

“Right now it’s Maryland,” said Boykins who has cut down his list to Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. “The fan support, the coaches and the school [are major reasons] … The environment is a big thing.I like it because it’s right outside a big city. Chesapeake isn’t that big and I’ve always wanted to live in a big city.”

Boykins, who has 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash and is regarded by many as a top-five player in talent-laden Virginia, also has offers from Clemson, Connecticut, Michigan State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and East Carolina. Also a solid student, he racked up 716 yards and five touchdowns last year and was all-district as a kick returner and receiver.

Boykins’ teammate and fellow wide receiver Todd Harrelson recently committed to UNC, but Boykins said it won’t have a great effect on his decision. He’s formed a bond with his recruiter at Maryland, Tom Brattan, as well as head coach Ralph Friedgen, and feels he could get on the field early. He’s also excited about the prospect of playing with highly touted Terps quarterback Josh Portis.

He also talks regularly with Terps linebacker Brian Whitmore, a Virginia Beach native with whom he’s close friends.

“He talks to me a lot about coming there,” Boykins said. "That's another reason."

“They talked about him. They said he’s gonna be a real good quarterback,” Boykins said.

Boykins’ recruitment is beginning to wind down. He’ll make one more visit – to Maryland in July – and come to a decision shortly thereafter.