Receiver Stefon Diggs Stays Home, Picks Maryland On Friday Night

Players like five-star wide receiver Stefon Diggs aren’t supposed to choose Maryland. They’re supposed to go off to the Ohio States and the Floridas of the world, leaving Terps fans wondering how local talent always seems to slip away. That makes Diggs’ commitment to Maryland so fundamentally earth-shattering.

Anyone can tell you this much, though that doesn’t make it any less true. When Diggs announced his decision at one of the most Terps-friendly watering holes in College Park on Friday night, the potential for a sea change for Maryland football was easy to see. The Terps have had top recruits before -- nobody wants to remember Melvin Alaeze around the area -- but none have come to College Park a year after the Terps went 2-10 and potentially have double-digit players transferring out of the program. Many scoffed at the Terps’ recruiting mantra of winning back the local kids, but thanks to new offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, the Terps accomplished their goals right away.

Stefon Diggs, one of the top wide receivers in the country, has committed to the Maryland Terrapins. Diggs plays for Olney (Md.) Good Counsel. He held legitimate offers from just about every program in the country, and took the time to visit many of them. In the end, Diggs came down to Auburn, Florida, Ohio State and Maryland.

At 6’0” and 185 pounds, Diggs has great speed and surprising toughness in tight spaces. He was selected as a U.S. Army All-American, and showed well in the game in San Antonio. He could be deadly on the deep routes for the Terps. Diggs isn’t perfect, however, as he lacks polish and must do a better job being consistent and catching the football, but you just can’t teach this speed at this size.

But wait, there’s more ...

What could an 18-year-old possibly do to keep a crowd entertained for three hours? Our best guess:

Stefon Diggs, an explosive receiver recruit, is set to announce his college decision tonight at 6 p.m. from a local Maryland pub. Diggs was scheduled to announce at 10 p.m. on Comcast Sportsnet, but the plans changed last night, as Diggs first altered the time of his announcement, then decided he would not announce on TV, and finally, changed the location of his ceremony.

The choice of venue is potentially quite relevant, as Diggs will be announcing from Looneys Pub -- a local Maryland watering hole and restaurant. How Maryland? The Terrapin coaches tape their coaches shows on location at Looneys.

Top remaining 2012 recruit Stefon Diggs, a five-star receiver sought by Maryland, Ohio State, Florida and Auburn, was supposed to announce his college decision on Comcast SportsNet at 10 p.m. ET Friday night. He’ll still announce late Friday, but will no longer do so on television. He’s now expected to announce at 6 p.m. ET.

Ohio State and Florida fans are already taking this as a good sign, as the Maryland native’s decision to declare via local TV was thought to be a sign in Maryland’s favor.

Stefon Diggs, a top receiver recruit, is set to announce his college decision this Friday night. Diggs will make his announcement live on Comcast Sportsnet at either 6 or 10 p.m. EST. Diggs stars for Olney (Md.) Our Lady Of Good Counsel. He’s universally regarded as one of the best receivers in the country, rated five-stars by most major recruiting services, and was a U.S. Army All-American.

Diggs is considering Florida, Maryland, Ohio State and Auburn. And each school has a legitimate reason to believe Diggs will choose them.

Despite being the hometown team, Maryland is considered a major longshot by most recruiting experts in its pursuit of electric receiver recruit Stefon Diggs.

But you can’t say the Terps aren’t trying. A few proactive students took it upon themselves to print a creative flyer in anticipation of Diggs taking in Saturday’s North Carolina and Maryland basketball game. Photo courtesy of Testudo Times.

Stefon Diggs, perhaps the most electric receiver recruit in the country, chose not to sign on National Signing Day. Diggs felt that he had started the process late, and rather than rushing a decision, he wants to look around a little more. Diggs is expected to sign on February 10.

While Diggs is thought to be considering Florida, Auburn and Urban Meyer’s Ohio State Buckeyes, Maryland cannot be counted out here. As Broman points out, geography is a huge factor in recruiting. And since Diggs started the process late, he’ll be one of the only visitors this weekend. Maryland can give him a lot of one-on-one attention. Still, Maryland lost 10 games last year and should be considered an extreme long-shot to sign Diggs. He very well could just want to get a chance to see Carolina hoops.