Maryland’s 2016 Quarterback Targets

In the weeks since Dwayne Haskins, Jr. flipped his commitment from Maryland to Ohio State, the Terrapins’ staff has been frantically searching for a quarterback in the team’s 2016 class. Most analysts believe that the staff would like to add two signal-callers before National Signing Day next week, and there are four primary targets that the team is pushing for. I have watched film on each of these quarterbacks, and will share my thoughts on their talents in this article.

Which of these quarterbacks would you like to see commit to Maryland? Share your thoughts on the BSL Message Board.

Tyrrell Pigrome

Position: Athlete/Dual-Threat Quarterback
Hometown: Pinson, Alabama
High School: Clay-Chalkville High School
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 180 lbs.

247Sports Rank: #85 ATH, 3-star
ESPN Rank: N/A, Dual-Threat QB
Rivals Rank: N/A, 3-star ATH
Scout Rank: #65 ATH

40-yard Dash Time: 4.50 seconds (Hudl), 4.73 seconds (ESPN)

Other Offers: Alcorn State, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Georgia Southern, Indiana, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Missouri, New Mexico, Purdue, Rutgers, Samford, South Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Troy, Tulane, UAB, Virginia Tech

Pigrome is currently Maryland’s top target at the quarterback position, primarily due to offensive coordinator Walt Bell’s previous connection to him. As you can see, Arkansas State offered him a scholarship while Bell was the Red Wolves’ offensive coordinator. The Terrapins’ primary competition for his commitment is Virginia Tech, with new head coach Justin Fuente recruiting him hard.

The first thing that stands out about Pigrome is his raw athleticism. He is very elusive both inside and outside of the pocket. He is an excellent runner, possessing both top-notch speed and agility in the open field. He uses this athleticism well when plays break down, showing flashes of Johnny Manziel. He has a strong arm, and a quick release. His deep passes are accurate, and he also throws a nice back-shoulder pass. One of the things that surprised me the most about his game is his footwork. He has very good feet, and even when he’s scrambling around, he sets his feet well to throw.

However, he struggles to read defenses even at the high school level, and is very quick to pull the ball down and run if his first read is covered. This is the biggest thing that he’ll need to work on if he is to become a quarterback at the next level. He also struggles to sell play-action fakes, but that’s something he can work on in the future. His small frame will also be a point of concern, as he’ll take a lot of hits at the next level if he keeps running like he has all throughout high school.

Pigrome is not a guy who will start immediately at the collegiate level. He’ll likely need at least a few years of coaching to learn how to read defenses and bulk up a bit more. As a slot receiver however, he would likely start immediately and would be an explosive playmaker at the position.

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Lindsey Scott

Position: Dual-Threat Quarterback
Hometown: Zachary, Louisiana
High School: Zachary High School
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 205 lbs.

247Sports Rank: #15 Dual-Threat QB, 3-star
ESPN Rank: #41 Dual-Threat QB, 3-star
Rivals Rank: N/A, 3-star Dual-Threat QB
Scout Rank: #50 QB, 3-star

40-yard Dash Time: 4.51 seconds (Rivals), 4.68 seconds (Scout)

Other Offers: Air Force, Alcorn State, Arkansas State, Army, Colgate, Grambling State, Harvard, Louisiana-Monroe, LSU, Navy, New Mexico State, Rutgers, Southern, Syracuse, Texas Southern, Tulane, Wake Forest

Scott is widely expected to commit to Maryland after a late push by the Terrapins, primarily due to connections with both Bell and defensive coordinator Scott Shafer. Bell recruited Scott while he was at Arkansas State, and Scott was originally committed to Syracuse while Shafer was the Orange’s head coach. Before Maryland jumped in the ring, Scott was expected to commit to LSU. But while the Tigers still remain Maryland’s biggest competition for his commitment, he is now expected to join DJ Durkin’s first recruiting class at Maryland.

While Scott is an impressive athlete, he is not quite as fast as Pigrome. However, he is still an elusive runner, and moves well both inside and outside of the pocket. While he is not tall, he possesses a good frame, and can absorb hits better than Pigrome. He has a strong arm, and throws an accurate deep ball. He also puts good touch on his passes, which is something I didn’t see from Pigrome. He reads defenses pretty well, and is more of a pass-first player than Pigrome.

However, his footwork is not quite at the level that it needs to be. Scott doesn’t step into his throws, and frequently throws off of his back foot. He relies on his arm strength a bit too much, something that will cost him at the next level. He’ll need to improve his footwork before he is able to start at the collegiate level, but he certainly has the arm talent to succeed as a quarterback.

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Chase Fourcade

Position: Dual-Style Quarterback/Pro-Style Quarterback
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
High School: Archbishop Rummel High School
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 180 lbs.

247Sports Rank: N/A, Pro-Style QB
ESPN Rank: N/A, Dual-Threat QB
Rivals Rank: N/A, 2-star Dual-Threat QB
Scout Rank: N/A, 2-star QB

40-yard Dash Time: 4.65 seconds (Hudl)

Other Offers: Arkansas State, Austin Peay, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State

Fourcade also has a connection to Maryland, as Bell recruited him while he was at Arkansas State. While he is currently committed to Nicholls State, he is entertaining Maryland’s scholarship offer. Maryland is the only Power 5 school recruiting Fourcade, which is surprising if you watch his tape.

Of Maryland’s four quarterback targets, Fourcade has the most impressive arm. It’s strong and accurate, and his tape includes some very impressive throws. He sells play-action fakes well, and has a very good frame. While he isn’t the fastest runner of the bunch, he still moves very well, and can run the option. His larger frame also allows him to be a more powerful runner.

However, like Scott, Fourcade struggles with his footwork. One of the first things that stands out about him is how busy his feet are. He struggles to get them set, and is constantly jumping around in the pocket. He also throws off of his back foot a lot, and doesn’t step into his throws. I also saw very little evidence of him reading the defense while making throws. In order to have success at the next level, he will need to calm his feet and step into throws.

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Ramar Williams

Position: Dual-Threat Quarterback/Athlete
Hometown: District Heights, Maryland
High School: Bishop McNamara High School
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 170 lbs.

247Sports Rank: N/A, Dual-Threat QB
ESPN Rank: N/A, Dual-Threat QB
Rivals Rank: N/A, 3-star Dual-Threat QB
Scout Rank: N/A, 2-star QB

40-yard Dash Time: 4.60 seconds (Hudl), 4.90 seconds (Scout)

Offers: Air Force, Army, Central Connecticut State, East Carolina, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Morgan State, Navy, Old Dominion, Robert Morris, Temple

While the Terrapins haven’t offered Williams yet, just about every DMV area high school football player wants them to. When Haskins decommitted from Maryland, Twitter lit up with local recruits telling the Terrapins’ coaching staff to offer him a scholarship. If Durkin’s staff were to do so, Williams would surely be theirs for the taking.

Williams’ tape is the least impressive of all four of Maryland’s quarterback targets. He has a very odd throwing motion, and it almost looks like he is short-arming the ball when he throws. His arm is weak, and he struggles to get much on his passes. He has poor footwork, doesn’t step into his throws, and often throws off of his back foot. He struggles to read defenses, and tends to run as soon as his first read is covered. If he does look to throw while scrambling, he often takes unnecessary risks and throws into traffic or across his body.

However, Williams is an elusive runner, and possesses a good frame. He is the tallest target that the Terrapins have at the quarterback position. He doesn’t project well as a collegiate quarterback, but could find success as a slot receiver. This would allow him to use his athleticism to its full potential.

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