Downingtown East lineman commits to Maryland

Two days after taking an unofficial visit to the school, Downingtown East junior offensive lineman Mike Clark committed Friday afternoon to play at Maryland.

"All of the players, including the fifth-year seniors, went out of their way to make me feel welcome," the 6-foot-8, 280-pound tackle said. "And the coaching staff seems real genuine."

Clark, an Exton resident and erstwhile wrestler, was a first-year starter for the Cougars last season. He also had scholarship offers from Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, and Wake Forest.

Maryland is transforming Cole Field House, home of the Terrapins basketball teams until 2002, into a $155 million indoor football practice facility. "I was just blown away by the things they're doing there," Clark, 17, said.

Another Downingtown East junior, tight end Cary Angeline, has 30-plus scholarship offers from Division I programs.