Meet the Recruit: Terps linebacker commitment Avery Thompson

This is part of a series of 2012 Maryland football commitment Q&As leading up to Signing Day on Feb. 1. All answers are provided by the featured player.

Name: Avery Thompson
Birthdate: March 2, 1994
Birthplace: Tacoma, Wash.
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
Position: Linebacker
High School: Grassfield High
Senior statistics: 75 tackles (35 solo), five sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Rankings: Rivals.com -- Two-star prospect. Scout.com -- Two-star prospect, No. 142 outside linebacker. ESPN.com -- Two-star prospect, No. 56 inside linebacker, No. 49 player in Virginia, 73 rating. 247Sports.com -- Two-star prospect, No. 38 player in Virginia, No. 120 outside linebacker, 78 rating.
Bench max: 285
Squat: 500
Clean: 225
40-yard dash: 4.5
Runner-up: Boston College
Other schools considered: None
Favorite NFL player: Patrick Willis
Favorite NFL team: Dallas Cowboys
Favorite all-time Terp: Shawne Merriman
Favorite music: J. Cole, Jay-Z
Favorite book: The Harry Potter series
Favorite movie: The Transformers trilogy
Favorite TV show: Family Guy
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite high school class: Physics
Favorite thing about College Park: “It’s close to D.C.”
Other high school sports: Track
Hobbies: Playing Xbox and lifting weights
Intended major: Engineering, physics or finance
Something that not many people know about you: “I don’t really talk a lot.”
Best football moment: “Getting a pick and returning it for a touchdown. That was when we played against Hickory around the middle of the season.”
Role model: “My parents are my role models because they taught me everything I know and what to do when I get to college. [They say it’s all about] just being humble and taking care of everything.”
Why Maryland? “Because it’s close to my family and I really enjoy the coaching staff. [I like] Coach Edsall, coming over to Maryland from Connecticut. And [I’m excited] to go to Maryland and play in the ACC.”