Maryland offensive lineman commits to ODU

Old Dominion landed its ninth football commitment Wednesday when A.J. Wills, an offensive lineman from Westlake High in Waldorf, Md., picked the Monarchs over two Division I-A programs.

Wills had considered Buffalo and Ohio University, which play in the Mid-American Conference. He also had an offer from North Carolina Central.

“He’s a very, very athletic big guy who can run a 4.9 in the 40,” Westlake coach Don Zaccarelli said. “Pound for pound, he’s one of the strongest guys we’ve ever had and he’s excellent at pulling and trapping. He should fit in well with the spread offense ODU wants to run.”

The Monarchs are re-starting their football program after 67 years and will play at the I-AA level. ODU will sign its first recruiting class Feb. 6. That class will redshirt during the 2008 season and begin play in 2009.

Rich Radford, 446-2463, rich.radford@pilotonline.com