A stir was caused this week when an article was published stating that the high school coach of Terps recruit David Mackall -- a touted defensive end currently enrolled at Fork Union Military Academy (Va.) -- was sending Mackall’s highlight tape to college recruiters from various schools, who were in turn recruiting the former standout at Edmondson-Westside High in Baltimore. InsideMDSports.com went to the principles involved and got the scoop on his situation and Mackall's status as a future Terp.

An internet report stated that Mackall’s former high school coach, Dante Jones, had sent game tapes to the University of Michigan, and the Wolverines had responded by offering Mackall a scholarship. Apparently, that’s only half-true.

“I definitely did not do that,” Jones told IMS, adding that it‘s been difficult to reach Mackall because he‘s at a military school, but that last time the two spoke, Mackall mentioned nothing about re-opening his recruitment. “They didn’t come from us.”

We then reached Fork Union coach John Shuman, who confirmed what Jones said.

“As soon as I got wind of Michigan sending an offer, I informed the Maryland staff and they conducted an investigation to see where it was coming from. It was determined that they had found the film on Digital Sports,” he said. “When we played at Maryland a few weeks ago it was all smiles and hugs [between Mackall and the Terps’ coaches]. I don’t think they even addressed it with him.

“They’re aware of it. I tell them everything that’s going on,” Shuman said. “We have clientele in Maryland and we had two Maryland kids last year., so we do everything possible to keep these young men committed. Once they get off of campus, though, it’s not in my control.

“If he’s going to de-commit, he’s going to de-commit off of this campus.”

Which begs the question: will Mackall take any visits to other schools? The report stated that Virginia Tech, Virginia, N.C. State and UConn were among the schools trying to pry away Mackall, whom Shuman said is good enough to play anywhere in the country.

Shuman said no such visits have been set up, there has been no talk from Mackall about re-opening his recruitment and that all of their collective energy is being focused on getting Mackall eligible per NCAA standards to enroll at Maryland in January. He’ll take the SAT this Saturday and likely will take the ACT Dec. 12. His enrollment at Fork Union expires in about six weeks, so it’s imperative he becomes qualified as soon as possible. There has been no discussion about alternative plans should he not receive the requisite scores; Shuman doesn’t want to plant any seeds of doubt in Mackall.

“We’ve got some work to do,” Shuman said. “What we’re trying to do is make sure the young man is putting all of his efforts into becoming qualified ... We haven't talked about a Plan B."

It’s easy to see why other schools are trying to become involved with Mackall, who has been limited for the past two weeks by a minor Achilles injury. A potential game-changing defensive lineman at 6-foot-3, 245-pounds, he’s able to rush the passer, stop the run and defend receivers. Shuman said he’s a virtual carbon copy of Darryl Blacksotck, who played at Fork Union, starred at the University of Virginia and was drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft in 2005.

“He’s fast, big and lanky,” Shuman said.

Shuman said he has also been impressed by linebacker Lorne Goree, another Maryland commitment.

“Goree is good. We like Goree. We like both of our Maryland guys,” he said, adding that Goree isn’t expected to have any trouble qualifying.