Norwin senior Tyler Urban's decision on his football future came down to this: He wanted to play defense.
That's why Urban, 6-foot-4 1/4, 245 pounds, selected Maryland over West Virginia on Thursday. He plans to play the Leo position, which is the defensive end and outside linebacker position, for the Terrapins.
Urban wanted to make his decision prior to the start of football camp Aug. 13.
"I was looking for a campus-type feel, and that is what Maryland provides," Urban said. "They have a great football program, and the Atlantic Coast Conference is one of the best conferences."
The decision for Urban -- a fullback and middle linebacker at Norwin -- came down to Maryland and West Virginia, but the Mountaineers wanted him to play offense.
"He's an athletic, big guy who can play multiple positions," Metro Index scouting director Joe Butler said. "With a limited number of scholarships, you've got to get guys with versatility. He could play fullback, tight end, linebacker or defensive end.
"He plays hard and has top-end speed. He's a solid, solid athletic football player."
The other schools who made offers to Urban were Duke, Pitt, Indiana, Cincinnati and numerous Mid American Conference members.
"I just wanted to get the decision done so I could focus on my senior year," Urban said. "I'm committed to my high school team and I didn't want anything else on my mind."
Urban said he plans on pursuing a business degree and believes there will be more opportunities for work in the Washington and Baltimore areas after graduation.
Norwin coach Dan Conwell said Urban and his family are comfortable with his decision.
"It's taken a burden off his shoulders," Conwell said. "It's a shame that teams press athletes into an early decision. But he took his time and made an educated one."
Urban, who also plays basketball, was an All-Quad South linebacker last season.
Urban's teammate, Mike Shanahan, said he'll decide between football and basketball by Monday. Shanahan's football offers include Stanford, Vanderbilt, Akron, West Virginia and Georgia Tech, and his basketball offers include Akron, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Lehigh and Bucknell.
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