Recruiting

Local quarterback talks first impressions of Josh Gattis, strong relationships with staff

Milford Mill (MD) three-star quarterback Deshawn Purdie made it to College Park on March 14 for his latest visit, but it was different than the rest because it gave the 6-foot-4 dual-threat quarterback a chance to meet the Terps’ new offensive coaches.

“I got a chance to meet with coach [Josh] Gattis, real cool dude. I really like him. I feel like we’ve got a good thing going,” Purdie told IBG. But it was his lead recruiter who Purdie first got a chance to see on campus. “Coach Braswell is my guy. He’s the one that came and got me from the door. Always good getting with him and chopping it up.”

The in-state three-star has been able to build a strong relationship with Braswell and James Thomas, but getting to know Gattis was the biggest item on Purdie’s to-do list today. “I sat in the QB room for 30 minutes. He’s very passionate about the game, he knows what he’s talking about and it was a good experience. We exchanged information so we’ll keep in contact for sure. Me and coach Bras always talk.”

While Purdie’s visit came on the same day as his father’s birthday as the two visited campus, there’s another assistant whose done well establishing key relationships with the local target. “I got to talk to Patty Mae [Ohanian] and got to see Grace [Hildebrandt] a bit. Me and Patty have a good relationship. She talks to my dad all the time, they’re friends. And me, honestly. We’ve built that relationship. She always makes sure I’m good, my family good. I appreciate things like that.”

Purdie admitted he’s received several invites among offers from regional schools to visit in the spring, but has no set plans yet. There’s a chance he returns to campus before April 1. “I might still go up there that day, but I might just pop up. Coach Gattis told me to just give them a heads up, come up whenever I want.” But Purdie wants to develop the relationship with Gattis before he looks into an official visit.

“Coach Gattis, he did go in some of the detail so you can say that he did, but right now, he’s just getting familiar with the area and getting to know me even more. So before I even set it up, if I do decide to spend my next four years there it’s the best decision.”

Purdie is rated a three-star prospect and an 88 overall by On3, sitting as the 17^th-best prospect in Maryland and the 32^nd-best quarterback.

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