Northwest Whitfield two-way star Nermin Delic has become the area's seventh high school football player to make a college commitment prior to their 2009 senior season.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end and defensive end committed to Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen during an on-campus visit this past weekend.

"Those coaches did a great job of making him feel wanted and needed," Northwest coach Mike Falleur said. "They made him their number-one priority over the weekend, and, really, coaches on both sides of the ball are fighting over him.

"They're the first ones to really court Nermin, and I think they made a big enough impression that he's done looking and is happy with his choice."

Last season Delic had 70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks and four pass deflections for the Bruins. He also had more than 100 receiving yards and a touchdown at tight end.

He had already visited Clemson and Georgia and was invited to visit North Carolina State, Louisville, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. He had scholarship offers from East Carolina, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, South Alabama, Western Carolina and Marshall and is rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com.

"The (Maryland) coaches said they were leaning toward me playing tight end right now, but that may change," Delic said. "Either way is fine with me. I just want to play."

He has gained more than 20 pounds since basketball season, when he deliberately kept his weight lower. He said he already had a good relationship with Maryland coaches, but the weekend trip to see the campus solidified his decision.

"I was blown away with everything about the facilities," Delic said. "I felt so at home and wanted there. Of all the trips I've made, I just felt like that was where I needed to be.

"I'm absolutely 100 percent done. I'm a Maryland Terrapin. It feels good to know I can cancel all the other trips, just relax a little and concentrate on working out and getting ready for my senior year."