A year ago, Randy Edsall and fans of the University of Maryland came up with a rather novel concept that involved keeping the state's top talent from heading elsewhere for college. It was nothing innovative and happens every year with a number of different schools. However, it's not an easy thing to accomplish when you're more known for success on the hardwood than the gridiron.
Thus #TheMovement was born. It was talked about on every Terrapin message board and commitments plastered it all over their various social media accounts. It was a little weird and seemed rather forced, but thanks to some early headway with the Class of 2017, #TheMovement kind of was becoming an actual thing.
The list of top 2016 prospects in Maryland was quite impressive, and at one point, it was looking like the Terps had a shot at landing nearly everyone in the top ten. One of the biggest reasons and hopes that this movement would come to fruition was the state's top quarterback, Potomac's Dwayne Haskins.
It was pretty much meant to be.
By now nearly everyone has likely seen the footage of a young Haskins frolicking around Ohio State's campus and tossing the football at the practice facilities. It was that early connection with the school and then head coach Jim Tressel that led many to believe Ohio State could be the ultimate destination for one of the nation's top signal-callers.
Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes seemed to make the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder a priority early on, but then came a bit of confusion as it pertained to quarterback targets and whether they preferred more of a true dual-threat or a precision passer with the ability to move around in the pocket.
This uncertainty came during a time that allowed for the Terps to really build their relationship with their unquestioned top target; not only at the position, but in the entire class. Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley did a fantastic job throughout the process and was identified as one of the determining factors when Haskins ultimately committed to the in-state Terps in May 2015.
The commitment from Haskins is when #TheMovement really got underway. Yes, other in-state products – including four-star linebacker Keandre Jones – had already made their intentions known, but it was a different story with Haskins. He played the most important position on the field, was well-known throughout the country, and was determined to lead the Terps' recruiting class to new heights.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes had landed a commitment from dual-threat quarterback Tristen Wallace just about a month before Haskins made his announcement. The DeSoto, Texas star was electric with his legs but had a long way to go in the passing game. His 2015 season got off to a bit of a rocky start and some questions began to emerge about his position at the next level. Fast forward to December 2015 and Wallace had found himself a new home at Oregon and a new position for college — wide receiver.
The Terps' 2015 campaign did not go anything like they had planned. Maryland started the season 2-4 with its four losses coming by an average margin of four touchdowns. Reports began to surface that Randy Edsall was on his way out and sure enough he was fired in mid-October. #TheMovement would then enter a state of confusion and turmoil that lasted around six weeks. Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin would go on to be named new head coach on Dec. 2 of last year.
The hiring of Durkin obviously brought great hope to the recruiting world. He was identified three months before signing day which meant that the staff had a fair amount of time to salvage the 2016 class and add some new names before February came around. One of the biggest question marks, however, circled around what would happen with Mike Locksley. He had been named interim head coach after the Edsall firing, but now players such as Haskins were waiting to learn of his fate. On Christmas Eve, it was reported that Locksley was unlikely to return to the Maryland staff.
Despite still being committed to the Terps, Haskins' recruitment took off in November and December. He visited Florida and had plans to check out LSU, but a mid-December trip to Columbus was the turning point in his recruitment.
Keandre Jones flanked by Kareem Felder.
Haskins had been in close contact with another Maryland commit, the aforementioned Keandre Jones. The Olney, Maryland star had been a part of the Terps' 2016 class since December 2014. His recruitment was much different from Haskins' in that it was relatively quiet despite his star power and status as the state's No. 4 prospect.
Jones would go on to check out Columbus for an official visit the weekend of Jan. 15. While still in town for the visit, the drumbeats began to grow that things were about to get a little rough in College Park. By the time Monday, Jan. 18, rolled around, two of Maryland's top-ranked prospects had officially flipped to Ohio State.
D.J. Durkin and staff tried unsuccessfully to keep the duo in the fold, including a last-minute conversation shortly before Haskins and Jones announced their intentions. Luke Fickell visited with Jones shortly before he made the trip to Columbus, and the defensive coordinator deserves a lot of credit in pulling off the flip. For Haskins, it was the combination of Urban Meyer and Tim Beck.
After the news became official, it was revealed that Haskins actually had committed to the staff while on his December official visit. He had been doing some behind-the-scenes work recruiting for the Buckeyes up until the flip became official. He continued to put in work for Ohio State and played a part in the recruitment of five-star 2017 commit Chase Young (Hyattsville, Maryland).
Haskins is on track for a redshirt season while Jones saw the field early on in the season on special teams duty. It's no secret that Ohio State has a loaded quarterback room and will be even more competitive in the coming years when Tate Martell and Emory Jones come to town. However, the early reports on Haskins have been solid, even if he will have to wait his turn.
#TheMovement didn't end so well for the Terps. They were able to sign just two of the state's top-ten prospects — offensive lineman Terrance Davis and wide receiver Tino Ellis.
