For at least a few minutes, all of the attrition Maryland has suffered the past several months has been pushed aside as, finally, there’s some good news on the personnel front for the Terps.
The nation’s top unsigned recruit, Stefon Diggs, had whittled his finalists down to Auburn, Florida, Maryland and Ohio State but delayed a decision on where he would sign for more than a week after National Signing Day.
D-Day came Friday and, as was reported the day before, Diggs announced he was staying and playing his college ball in his home state, giving head coach Randy Edsall and his beleaguered football program a significant talent and a huge shot in the arm.
“I want to win championships, I want to win bowl games. Where else to do it but in your city?” Diggs said during an announcement made near his Maryland high school. Diggs added that he faxed his Letter of Intent to Maryland early this afternoon, and that he had made up his mind earlier this week.
Diggs, rated as a five-star player by each of the three major recruiting services following a stellar career at Good Counsel (Md.) High School, took an official visit to Maryland this past weekend.
The 6-1, 190-pounder was rated as the No. 2 receiver in the country by Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com, and the No. 8, No. 5 and No. 10 player at any position in the country, respectively, by the recruiting websites.
He was also named the Outstanding Player following the January U.S. Army All-American Bowl (on NBC).
“We’re very pleased to receive the commitment of Stefon,” Edsall said in a statement released by the school shortly after Diggs’ announcement. “He is an impact player who brings a playmaking ability that will enhance our team and certainly help us offensively. He’s a great competitor and team player who loves to work every day and win. We’re honored and happy to have him. ...
“This shows our commitment and effort to keep the best local players at home. We got the No. 1 player in the state of Maryland (Diggs) and the Gatorade Player of the Year in Washington, D.C. (Albert Reid of Friendship Collegiate Academy). Hopefully the top players in the area will follow their lead in the future.”