Brian Lewis/The Gazette Clarksburg High School's Stefan Houston signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Maryland, College Park next fall.

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Clarksburg High School senior Stefan Houston made his college decision more than four months ago.

But on Wednesday, otherwise known as National Signing Day, the first date prospective student-athletes can officially sign with colleges and universities, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound University of Maryland football signee was extremely nervous and quiet. As Houston, who verbally committed Sept. 23, signed his National Letter of Intent and slipped a red and white Maryland hat on, he cracked a wide grin in front of a crowd of about 100 family members, coaches, teachers and friends in the school’s gymnasium,

“I’ve been so anxious about this for awhile,” said the two-time first team All-Gazette selection, who plans to major in criminal justice. “I knew where I was going, but I just wanted to get the whole recruiting process over with. I am just relieved and so happy right now. I think I look pretty good in Terps’ red.”

Houston, who was recruited to play the program’s “Star” linebacker position, said he picked the Terrapins since College Park is close to home and offers a strong support system academically and athletically. He also said former Clarksburg, Class of 2009) star and current Maryland player Avery Graham and the school’s new Under Armour uniforms were contributing factors.

“Maryland just felt right and there a lot of friends there like [Graham] and [2011 Quince Orchard alumnus and linebacker] Alex Twine,” said Houston, who also held offers from West Virginia, East Carolina and Rutgers. “I watched Kenny Tate play the position they want me to play when I get there and I was impressed. Hopefully, some day I can be like him. It is going to take a lot of work and its big shoes to fill.”

Houston, who has a 4.39 seconds time in the 40-yard dash, played several positions for the Coyotes last fall. He caught 10 touchdowns and recorded 688 yards as a receiver.

“The physical development in Stefan is quite obvious,” Clarksburg coach Larry Hurd said. “But I am more proud of his development into a young man. He is a tremendous worker. ... I am just glad he is staying close to home so I can go down the road and watch him.”

Houston is the 27th Coyote player to play collegiate football since Clarksburg opened in 2006.

Jones to Furman

Bullis senior Kevin Jones, the Gazette Player of the Year this past fall, has decided to continue his football career at Furman University, S.C.) and officially signed today.

“They showed the most interest and I had a meeting with the admission office and they really impressed me,” Jones said. “I really like it. It’s pretty exciting. I’m just ready to get started and get into the system and Division I football. It’s the best of the best at the college level. I look forward to the competition and challenges.”

Jones, a running back by trade, rushed his way to 2,089 yards and produced 34 total touchdowns this past fall while leading Bullis, 9-1) to its first Interstate Athletic Conference title since 1979.

“I think it’s great for him and it’s great for Furman,” Bullis coach Pat Cilento said. “It’s just like our school, a small private school. He’ll be able to excel down there.”

Furman compiled a 6-5 mark this past fall, finishing the season with a 54-32 loss to Southeastern Conference powerhouse Florida. The Paladins compiled a 5-3 mark in the Southern Conference, finishing behind Georgia Southern, Wofford, S.C.) and Appalachian State, N.C.).

“I’ll likely be redshirted,” Jones said. “I just want to get bigger and faster and they’ll get another year out of me.”

Smith to Shepherd University

All-Gazette lineman Will Smith plans to continue his football-playing days next fall at Division II Shepherd University, W.Va.) after a stellar career at Paint Branch, including leading the Panthers to their first division crown since 1975 in 2011.

“They have a great winning tradition there and they told me I have a chance to play right away, anywhere from guard to center and maybe tackle; wherever they need me,” Smith said. “That’s another reason I’m excited about going there.

“My team at Paint Branch went to a camp over the summer at the school. I liked it a lot and I like the coaches.”

Smith chose Shepherd, 9-2 in 2011), a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, over offers from Seton Hill University, Pa.) and West Virginia Wesleyan.

Einwaechter to Elon

Kyle Einwaechter has been a nose tackle since fourth grade, the first year he was allowed to play organized football.

He will be “eating up the blocks” for four more years after signing his letter of intent to play Division I football at Elon University in North Carolina next year.

“No one could attack us up the middle. People could attack us on the side but no one could attack us up the middle and Kyle was a big part of that,” Vikings football coach Jim Kuhn said. “He took away the vertical run just by his presence.”

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive lineman was a force to be reckoned with during his junior season, his first on varsity.

But dedication to becoming a more complete athlete during the offseason made him a commodity this fall, Kuhn said.

“There’s a difference between taking the block up front and having time to get to the quarterback and do something. Junior year, his foot speed was a little slow,” Kuhn said. “He has done a great job. He’s trimmed down. He’s got a quicker step. Now he has time to break the tackle and then do something. I think the sky is the limit for him. He’s taken a great first step.”

Daryoush to Davidson

At 6-foot-2, 275 pounds, Whitman’s offensive lineman Josh Daryoush is by no means a small guy.

Several Division I programs felt otherwise, but it didn’t matter on Wednesday as Daryoush signed his letter of intent to play ball at Division I Davidson College in North Carolina.

“Josh is a dominant force without the recognition. And the reason he doesn’t get the recognition is because he’s not 6-5 and we had guys on our team who were 6-5 and 300 pounds,” Kuhn said. “A couple of Ivy League schools were looking at him but then said he needed to be 6-4. It’s not like he’s going to get outsized. I’m really glad that Davidson is giving him this opportunity.”

Daryoush, who signed on as an offensive lineman but can play any number of positions, has all the physical attributes of a fantastic lineman. He’s strong, he’s quick-footed, fearless and aggressive.

But what sets him apart from his peers, Kuhn said, is his remarkable knowledge of the ins and outs of the game.

“Josh is going to be hard to replace. He was a coach on the field. If we called a play and the other team lined up differently, he would be able to tell everyone else what to do,” Kuhn said. “And if we got in trouble, we had some injuries, he played al over the place. He played defense, he played tackle. He knows what he is doing and I’m extremely proud of him.”

kzakour@gazette.net, jpeters@gazette.net, jbeekman@gazette.net

Signing day

The Gazette has been able to confirm the following senior student-athletes have committed to a college or university. The list will be updated:

Player, school, college, sport

Angela Bauroth, Thomas S. Wootton, Stevens, field hockey

Michael Boland, Georgetown Prep, Massachusetts, football

Curt Brooks, Wootton, Georgetown, men’s lacrosse

Billy Brown, Gaithersburg, Shepherd, football

Wes Brown, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Maryland, football

Micah Brown, Springbrook, Robert Morris, women’s lacrosse

Cody Chatham, Walter Johnson, Frostburg, football

Rod Chungong, Good Counsel, Georgia Tech, football

Trey Cooper, James H. Blake, Towson, men’s soccer

Chris Cornelius, Wootton, Lynchburg, men’s lacrosse

Elad Covaliu, Walter Johnson, Holy Cross, football

Michael DePaul, Georgetown Prep, Trinity, football

Michael Dunn, Whitman, Maryland, football

Madison Elie, Sherwood, McDaniel, women’s lacrosse

Ryan Ferguson, Albert Einstein, Bryant, football

Michael Flack, Whitman, Trinity, football

Simba Gwashavanhu, Gaithersburg, Delaware, football

Megan Hahn, Wootton, tennis, Loyola

Amanda Harrington, Sherwood, Maryland, women’s lacrosse

Heather Jenney, Paint Branch, Towson, field hockey

Jamie Lynne Kator, Montgomery Blair, Vanderbilt, women’s soccer

Ben Killion, Wootton, Yale, football

Darnell Leslie, Quince Orchard, Monmouth, football

Mike Madaras, Good Counsel, Maryland, football

Brandon McDowell, Quince Orchard, Bowie State, football

Xavier Nelson, Springbrook, Duquesne, football

Mike Nicastro, Good Counsel, Albany, football

Andrew Pitsenberger, Walter Johnson, Catholic, football

Spencer Ralph, Winston Churchill, Colorado College, men’s lacrosse

Katie Ruth, Sherwood, Lynchburg, women’s basketball

Alia Smith, Sherwood, York, women’s basketball

Ryan Watson, Good Counsel, Purdue, football

Daniel Zolet, Bullis, Hamilton, football