Ron Snyder: Alaeze’s release leaves Terps wondering what could have been

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - What could have been?

That is the question currently going through the minds of many Maryland football fans following the announcement last week that the Terps released former Randallstown defensive end Melvin Alaeze from his scholarship. The decision came four months after police arrested Alaeze on five marijuana-related offenses.

It must be noted prominently that three of those charges were dismissed in March and the remaining two — possession of marijuana and related paraphernalia — have been placed on the inactive docket, according to Baltimore County District Court records. However, the marriage between Alaeze and Maryland appeared doomed even before these arrests became public knowledge.

It had to have been for the Terps to give up on a talent like Alaeze due to a “violation of the terms of his financial aid agreement” before he even stepped onto the field for them. Coach Ralph Friedgen definitely could have used Alaeze right away to improve a pass rush that ranked ninth in the ACC last year with 21 sacks. Maryland also needs as many impact players as possible as it looks to rebound from back-to-back 5-6 seasons.

“It is unfortunate that Melvin Alaeze was not able to realize his potential as an athlete or a student at the University of Maryland,” said Friedgen in a statement released by the university last week. “He is a rare physical talent and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”

That statement underscores the potential greatness Maryland and Alaeze could have achieved if given the opportunity. Recruiting experts and coaches considered the 6-foot-2, 280-pound Alaeze one of the top players in the country following a senior campaign at Randallstown where he piled up 110 tackles along with 18.5 sacks.

More than four dozens schools recruited Alaeze before he signed his initial letter-of-intent in 2005. He then signed again with Maryland last February after attending Hargrave Military Academy in the fall, while attempting to obtain the Scholastic Aptitude Test score needed to qualify for freshman eligibility.

“Melvin has tremendous acceleration and can really run for a big guy,” said Friedgen in a statement on Alaeze following the February national signing day. “He is really fit and we’re looking for him to make an impact.”

Unfortunately for Maryland, any impact Alaeze has on the college football field will be for another big-time program such as Virginia Tech, Penn State or a school of similar stature that is willing to take a chance on him.

Everything happens for a reason in this world. Alaeze’s arrival at Maryland could have placed a cloud over both the program and hurt the player’s future much like the horrible ending between Ohio State and running back Maurice Clarett a few years ago. There, Clarett felt the university treated him unfairly. Then, he unsuccessfully lobbied to enter the NFL draft after his freshman year and is now out of football and dealing with off-the-field legal issues.

Hopefully, that will not be the case and the falling out between Alaeze and Maryland will be the best thing to happen for everyone involved.

Ron Snyder is a staff writer for The Examiner.