Unlike Texas, Florida and California, Maryland high school athletes just can't stand to be home. And while Terrapin football has always enjoyed a decent pipeline of players from Maryland, DC, Virginia and New Jersey, that has always been the program's curse as well; the nation's best football players aren't from those states.
So imagine that "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario being diminished by nearby Penn State, turning the small football factory that is the Free State into a Happy Valley satellite location.
It's not unusual that the Nittany Lions are snatching recruits out from under the Terps. Maryland doesn't have the history, facilities, or pro recognition that Penn State has. What is odd is that Maryland players aren't sold on the fact that Terp head coach Ralph Friedgen is a former NFL offensive coordinator, regularly puts offensive and defensive players in the NFL Draft, and is well connected in the pro ranks.
Or could it be that they aren't told this?
Either way, Maryland looks to be sinking fast in the recruiting quicksand. The best players in football states want to stay home, and the best players out of Maryland can't wait to escape.
So imagine that "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario being diminished by nearby Penn State, turning the small football factory that is the Free State into a Happy Valley satellite location.
It's not unusual that the Nittany Lions are snatching recruits out from under the Terps. Maryland doesn't have the history, facilities, or pro recognition that Penn State has. What is odd is that Maryland players aren't sold on the fact that Terp head coach Ralph Friedgen is a former NFL offensive coordinator, regularly puts offensive and defensive players in the NFL Draft, and is well connected in the pro ranks.
Or could it be that they aren't told this?
Either way, Maryland looks to be sinking fast in the recruiting quicksand. The best players in football states want to stay home, and the best players out of Maryland can't wait to escape.
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