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Maryland Terrapins: QB Dwayne Haskins Headed to Ohio State

By Joe Serpico

Nov 1, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; General view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet on the field prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Maryland defeated Penn State 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; General view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet on the field prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Maryland defeated Penn State 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland Terrapins lost their top recruit, Bullis (Md.) quarterback Dwayne Haskins, to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Maryland Terrapins desperately need a quarterback and thought and they finally landed a top recruit at the position. That all changed on Monday.

Dwayne Haskins, the No. 3 QB and 23rd-ranked prospect in ESPN’s Top 300, announced today in an essay that he and linebacker Keandre Jones have decided to choose Ohio State over Maryland.

Here is an excerpt from the essay:

“I verbally committed to the University of Maryland on May 15, 2015, and after committing there is an unwritten rule that you don’t engage or visit other schools. I chose Maryland because of the close proximity to my home, academics, the opportunity to do something special and a fond relationship with my recruiters.

It is a great academic school in the Big Ten that is only 35 minutes away from my home. However, as a result of coaching changes, my family and I thought it was best for me to keep my options open and confirm my final decision. I stayed verbally committed to Maryland despite the coaching changes and I believe things happen for a reason. This was God’s way of giving me an opportunity to re-evaluate my decision.

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I would like to take the time to acknowledge the DMV area, the Bullis school, classmates, Maryland pride and the fans for their support throughout this process. After conversations with my parents, coaches and mentors, I came to the decision that it is in the best interest for me to de-commit from the University of Maryland.

It has been a dream of mine to play for The Ohio State University. This prestigious university best represents my family values and playing under Coach Meyer, Coach Beck and the rest of the coaching staff best exampled strong leadership abilities and people that I can have a relationship with after football was important.”

Many felt that this could happen once Maryland decided to part ways with former head coach Randy Edsall and Mike Locksley. He had visited with Florida and Ohio State, and was reportedly planning a trip to LSU as well.

It does come as a shock that he chose the Buckeyes over Maryland as he will have plenty of competition in Columbus, where as he would have been the man from the minute he stepped foot on campus at College Park. The Terrapins faithful thought they had their man locked up when he attended the basketball game between Ohio State and Maryland this past Saturday. Ironically, the Terps basketball team dominated OSU, but Ohio State still has Maryland’s number in football.

The decision leaves Maryland in search of a quarterback for the future and drastically changes the landscape under new head coach D.J. Dirkin. The loss of Haskins is a big blow as he was the leader behind the “DMV to UMD” movement. The Bullis High star went as far as to recruit several local stars to come with him to College Park, but that’s now all for naught.

Unless the Terps can find another recruit that can lead the group, it looks like it will be another season with Perry Hills or Caleb Rowe leading the offense. Neither was effective this season and that’s why there was so much hope that Haskins would be the guy to lead this program going forward.

The loss of Jones is big for the defense as he was the third-ranked prospect from the state of Maryland behind Haskins. Jones visited the Buckeyes this past weekend and intended to follow Haskins to Ohio.

Next: Maryland Basketball Reaches the Century Mark in Win vs. Ohio State

National Signing Day is still two weeks away (Feb. 3) so Dirkin still has time to potentially find replacements for the two lost recruits. He has been credited as a great recruiter so it remains to be seen what he can put together in such a short time.

Ohio State travels to College Park this season for a Nov. 12 matchup. It’s safe to say that everyone involved will have that game circled on their calendar.

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