Updated Recruiting Update
Multiple outlets are now reporting that Kwamane Bowens is not, in fact committed to West Virginia. The details are hazy on what exactly happened with his commitment, but he is not WVU's seventh commit of 2013.
There were rumors of a miscommunication between Bowens and the WVU staff, but nothing is confirmed at this point, except that he is not committed.
Though the situation is a little strange, it is hardly surprising, as things like this happen with recruiting all the time.
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Recruiting Update
West Virginia Illustrated's Geoff Coyle has reported that Virginia Beach, wide reciever Kwamane Bowens has become the seventh commit for the West Virginia Mountaineers for the class of 2013.
According to Coyle, Bowens visited Morgantown on Sunday and nearly committed on the spot, but was told by Holgorsen to sleep on it, then make his decision.
[caption id="attachment_630" align="alignright" width="190" caption="Virginia Beach WR Kwamane Bowens"]
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"I woke up and felt like I could see myself being there for four years, so I called and told them," Bowens said after calling cornerbacks coach Daron Roberts. "He just told me he's glad to have me in his family, told me it was big for West Virginia because they needed some talent like me over there to stretch the field outside but then come inside to be a mismatch."
Spring, Texas offensive lineman Tyler Tezeno also joined the fold for WVU last week as its sixth commit, choosing the Mountaineers over LSU, Boise State, Utah, Northwestern and others.
You can see the rest of West Virginia's 2013 class here, though Bowens is not yet listed.
There has been a lot of question about the last name on that list, quarterback Chavas Rawlins, as the dual-threat QB out of Monessen, Pa. doesn't fit the mold of previous quarterbacks who have thrived in head coach Dana Holgorsen's air raid offense.
It could be that Holgorsen is looking to add another wrinkle to his already dangerous offensive scheme, but Rawlins is also rumored to be connected with a number of highly sought-after recruits in this year's class.
Either way, it may be some time before we see the effects of his commitment come into fruition. Stay tuned.
Maryland Preview
Not much went well in Randy Edsall's first year as the head coach at Maryland.
If you aren't completely familiar with the situation, read this hilarious column by the Washington Post's Sally Jenkins. You won't regret it and you will be pretty much up to speed in no time.
In a nutshell, the Terrapins finished the season 2-10, on an eight-game slide. Edsall rubbed a lot of the UMD players and fans the wrong way to say the least, causing more of them to transfer than I can even count.
A few good things did happen to the Terps in 2011. They topped Miami in the season opener, beat their little brother Towson in week four, and almost beat West Virginia in week two. But, that's about it.
Well, I would consider their sweet new uniforms as something good, but a lot of people would consider them as yet another negative. I'll let you decide.
Whether you think the new UMD threads are cool or not, there is little debate as to whether or not they are lucky. (Hint: they aren't.)
While wearing those unis, the Terps finished the season No. 102 in scoring defense, giving up 34.3 points per game, which should make the WVU offense collectively salivate.
Couple that with the No. 87 scoring offense minus the leading passer and rusher from 2011, and the defense should be joining in on the slobber-fest (sorry for the possible negative mental image).
Maryland does have a few rays of hope to cling onto shining through the dark clouds over the program.
While a slew of players chose to leave College Park last season, Edsall was able to pull in some talented recruits as well, headlined by Maryland product Stefon Diggs.
Diggs, one of the nation's top recruits out of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md., chose to stay home and attend UMD over nearly ever other school in the country.
He brought a few talented Good Counsel teammates with him, making the 2012 class one of Edsall's few successes in his time with the school.
Another glimmer of hope is the fact that Maryland almost beat WVU last year in College Park.
West Virginia had a great start to the game, eventually building a 34-10 lead early in the third quarter. But, the Terps battled back to within three with ten minutes to go.
Despite its three turnovers WVU survived the scare and walked away with a 37-31 victory.
Maryland will return ten starters from the defense that allowed Geno Smith to throw for 388 yards last year.
The only way to go is up for the Maryland defense, so they should be improved from a year ago with the added year of experience.
West Virginia has won six consecutive contests with Maryland, and uniforms and defensive returners aside, you can bet that will improve to seven, as the Terps simply won't have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Mountaineers.
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