For heavily recruited offensive lineman Sal Conaboy of Abington Heights High (Pa.), deciding which college to attend wasn't a matter of simple tangibles like early playing time, facilities and location. It was about his gut feeling, and that's why Conaboy -- the No. 21 offensive guard in the nation according to ESPN.com -- verbally committed to Maryland on Wednesday night.

"I kind of felt like there was no reason to wait and I knew that Maryland was the place I wanted to go, so I went with my gut feeling and pulled the trigger," Conaboy told InsideMDSports.com.

"It was the coaches and the players. Everything made me feel comfortable and the kind of treat everything as one big family, and they have the goal of winning the national championship," he said.

Conaboy had plenty of scholarship offers: Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Minnesota, Temple, West Virginia, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, New Mexico State, Illinois, Akron, Connecticut, Michigan State, Marshall, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Oregon all had tendered offers.

"It was pretty much down to Pitt and Maryland," he said, "and like I said, I just had a gut feeling about where I could see myself playing."

Conaboy, an agile 6-foot-5, 255-pound lineman who could play either guard or center at Maryland, was recruited by Terps assistant Lee Hull. Hull was a coach on the staff at Holy Cross when Abington Heights coach Joe Repshis played there, and Repshis had nothing but positive feedback about Hull.

"That was huge," Conaboy said. "I knew I could trust him."

Conaboy loved the campus and the area when he visited this summer. He thought he might take official visits this fall but in the end, he had no reason to string the process along.

"I called coach Friedgen and talked to him for a few minutes. He was just coming out of a meeting bu he said he was excited to have me."

Conaboy's commitment is a huge one for Maryland, which is thin and young on the offensive line. He's undersized and will need to put on some weight before being ACC-ready, but believes that will happen quickly once he beginsa college-level workout regimen.

"They said just to be ready to compete as soon as I get there," he said. "Once I get there and get working out 100 percent I'll be able to put it on quickly."

Conaboy has become friendly with Terps commit Tyler Smith, a touted quarterback from Wilson, Pa., ever since the two met while visiting Maryland at the same time.

"If all goes well, I could tackle my future quarterback [in the playoffs this year]," he said, laughing.

Conaboy is relieved to have the recruiting process done and focus on his senior year. With so many options to choose from, it was a long road to his final conclusion.

"No one," he said, "compared to Maryland."

Here's what ESPN.com/Scouts Inc. has to say about Conaboy:
"Conaboy has the height we like to see for the guard position at the major level of competition. It appears his frame will allow him put on additional weight over time. Shows good flexibility and quickness coming out of stance; is explosive when double teaming with the ability to slide to 2nd level linebackers. Has good balance and agility when playing in space. When he gets his hands on linebackers it usually results in a pancake block. Demonstrates very good technique in the trap game; shows good technique, pulling with balance and explosion at the point of attack; understands when and how to seal inside; good blocking a moving target. This is a tough, aggressive finisher that plays with explosion and playing strength. We have yet to see him single block when covered by a down lineman or drop back pass protect. However in all aspects of his game he is a dominant player. Conaboy is a highly rated prospect at the major level of competition; we don't feel he will be an immediate starter or impact player until he has the benefits of time and a red shirt year. This should allow him to grow physically and polish his technical skills."