At Looney’s Pub in College Park on Friday, it was hard to know who to feel worse for — Maryland football fans cheering wildly for the commitment of an 18-year-old or the object of their affection, Good Counsel wide receiver Stefon Diggs. As for the fans, it’s clear they are desperate for some good news out of a program that has produced 2-10 seasons two of the last three years and appears on the verge of having its star quarterback transfer.
But for Diggs, now comes the hard part as he tries to lift the program from dire straits and live up to his five-star rating from Rivals.com.
Scouting high school football is far from an exact science. Maryland’s history with five-star recruits (two others) is short and notorious. Defensive end Melvin Alaeze never played a down for the Terrapins and was sent to prison in 2007 for first-degree assault. Linebacker Wesley Jefferson had one good season before leaving Maryland with a year of eligibility left to pursue a career in law enforcement.
In addition, of the nine four-star recruits signed by Maryland from 2009 and 2010, only three remain on the roster, and none is a major contributor.
There was plenty of irony Friday at Looney’s. (And by the way, whatever happened to players signing their letter of intent in the principal’s office?) Diggs, who was celebrating his 18th birthday in a bar, is committing to a program that doesn’t allow players to drink a drop, even during spring practice.
In addition, earlier this month, Diggs’ official visit was hosted by quarterback Danny O’Brien, who might be long gone when Diggs arrives. If that comes to pass, there might be problems getting their shiny, new playmaker the ball if the job is left to C.J. Brown, a good runner but marginal thrower.
If there was reason for Maryland fans to hail the commitment of Diggs, it has more to do with what the speedster represents about the future of Maryland football.
On Comcast SportsNet on Friday night, coach Randy Edsall called Diggs the “Pied Piper.” If that’s true, then Edsall — with the significant help of recruiting force Mike Locksley — will have achieved what his predecessor, Ralph Friedgen, never quite pulled off — making Maryland the cool school among D.C.-area recruits.
– Kevin Dunleavy
