Maryland Football: Terps Looking for Package Deal for Class of 2016 Recruits
Nov 22, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins fans celebrate after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Maryland won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Maryland Terrapins football program has been pretty active in the recruiting process this offseason. After letting a host of talented young players from the area slip through the cracks and attend other schools in the past, Maryland has been working tirelessly to secure local talent. Two big names currently on their radar are quarterback Dwayne Haskins (Bullis School) and wide receiver Trevon Diggs (Avalon School), younger brother of former Terps standout Stefon Diggs. Both players are big-time recruits in the Class of 2016. Well, it turns out that they really want to play together.
Haskins took to Twitter about a week ago to announce that he and Diggs would be a ‘package deal.’ Now it’s easier said than done, but Maryland must do everything in their power to land these two. Haskins is the fifth-rated pro-style quarterback in the class and the second best player in the state of Maryland, according to 247 Sports. Diggs is the fifth-rated athlete in the class and is ranked third overall in the state.
The Terps are expecting some pretty stiff competition, however, as both prospects have more than 20 big-time offers on the table, including offers from Alabama, Florida, and Penn State. At one point, Penn State seemed to be the favorite to land Haskins and Alabama the favorite to reel in Diggs, but the recruiting cycle is so crazy. It could really change drastically from day to day.
With this recent news of a package deal, one has to like Maryland’s chances in the race. For starters, the Nittany Lions received a verbal commitment from another four-star quarterback late last year, which means that the odds of Haskins also going to Penn State are pretty slim. It just doesn’t make sense for a team to have two big-time quarterbacks in the same class.
More from Maryland Terrapins
- Maryland Football: Terps honor Jordan McNair, beat Longhorns 34-29
- Maryland Terrapins: Roundup of Headlines in Maryland Sports
- Where Will Maryland Basketball’s Kevin Huerter Land in 2018 NBA Draft?
- Maryland Terrapins Offensive Lineman Jordan McNair Dies
- Remembering Maryland Basketball’s Cliff Tucker: Top 5 Best Moments
As far as Diggs goes, he can pretty much play anywhere because teams are always looking to add more skill players and athletes to their rosters. But since he and Haskins are allegedly now a package deal, he’ll probably end up playing for a team that could actually use the quarterback’s services. This is where Maryland comes into play.
Haskins would have the potential to be Maryland’s first elite college quarterback in recent memory. Who knows what some other Terps receivers could have done with a high quality signal-caller under center? The Maryland coaching staff will really have to sell him on the possibility of him starting early in his career. This is a huge selling point for young players who just love being out on the field.
Also, by coming to Maryland, Haskins will have one of his favorite targets joining him. Although, he and Diggs don’t play high school ball together, they obviously know each other well and are adamant about playing with one another. Regardless, this would be an enormous pick-up for a Terps program that is currently in the rebuilding phase. They’ve done a great job so far, but this would just take things to a whole new level.
Let’s not forget about the family ties here. I’m sure everyone associated with Maryland football is hoping that Stefon Diggs can get in his brother’s ear and convince him and Haskins to come to College Park and join the movement which he basically started.
Stay tuned to the Baltimore Wire for more recruiting updates!