Predicting where Dwayne Haskins, Trevon Diggs and Maryland football's other major recruiting targets will end up

With the possibility of highly-touted quarterback Dwayne Haskins joining the Terps on the horizon, head coach Randy Edsall and his staff could feel a major sense of relief on Friday. The leader of a dynamic class of local recruits will announce his commitment live May 15th at 3 p.m. EST.

One off-the-field aspect in regards to Haskins is his connection with area standouts. Like Adam McLean, Haskins has strong ties to some of the best prospects in the area. Speaking of some of the top area recruits who are connected to Haskins, I take a look at some of the prospects who have been interviewed by Testudo Times, local recruits and some prospects who have been targeted by Maryland and predict their commitments.

Quarterback

Dwayne Haskins, The Bullis School (MD):  Maryland is all-in with Haskins, and for good reason. The Bullis quarterback fielded 37 offers, ranging from some of the top programs in the country, so labeling him a priority has helped Maryland gain longevity in Haskins’ recruitment. There aren’t many quarterbacks who can step onto a college field and enter week one as a starter as a true freshman, but Haskins certainly has the talent, poise and confidence to do just that. With a senior season to fine tune mechanics and develop more upper body strength, Haskins has a chance to be special no matter where he ends up. One interesting note about his recruitment is that he is originally from New Jersey. Rutgers, the state school of New Jersey, has been named one of Maryland’s top competitors for Haskins’ services. The opportunity to create the "Stay Home Movement" Rutgers edition is there, but I feel he will stay in Maryland. Prediction: Maryland

Wide Receiver

Tino Ellis, Dematha Catholic (MD) A four-star recruit, Tino Ellis recently named Virginia Tech his leader. The Hokies have played a steady role in his recruitment, as they’ve stood out to Ellis since January. Rutgers has also worked themselves into the conversation for his services, but with the power of one transcendent recruit, Ellis stays local. Prediction: Maryland

Tight End

Naseir Upshur, Imhotep Institute (Penn) Upshur has been connected to Haskins and have even visited College Park together for the Maryland-Wisconsin basketball game. A four-star prospect, Upshur is the 4th-ranked tight end in the class of 2016. The prospect has been coveted by many of the top programs around the country, yet there is a real chance the 6’3, 233-pound tight end elects to stay home and attend Temple. Haskins to Upshur would form a solid combination, but don’t expect this to happen. Prediction: Michigan

Noah Turner, Carmel Catholic (IL) Turner is one of the more underrated tight ends in the Midwest region – perhaps the country. The three-star prospect holds 13 offers, but Maryland, North Carolina and Louisville are labeled as the top-3 as of now. A key for Maryland could be the fact that playing time at tight end will be available by the time Turner steps onto a college campus. Playing time is a big facet of his recruitment, and Chad Wilt, his lead recruiter, has established quite a relationship with the prospect. If Michigan State offers, I see him going to East Lansing. Prediction: Maryland

Offensive Tackle

Devery Hamilton, Gilman (MD) At 6’6, 290 pounds, Hamilton is the 25th-ranked offensive tackle and has garnered attention from some of the top schools in the country. With the influx of offensive tackles Maryland has been recruiting, it appears that Hamilton isn’t a priority at the position, and mix that with lead recruiting Andre Powell leaving for Pittsburgh, a commitment to Maryland is not likely. Prediction: Stanford

Elijah Johnson, Dematha Catholic Teammates with Maryland commits DJ Turner and Lorenzo Harrison, Johnson has been hearing recruiting pitches not only from the Maryland coaching staff, but his high school teammates as well. After a recent interview with Testudo Times, the Cole Field House renovation project and facilities in general are important to his college decision. Haskins, playing with high school teammates in college and new facilities could be too much to pass up. Prediction: Maryland

Jauan Williams, Archbishop Carroll (D.C.) Williams has been one of the more talked about lineman prospects, especially since Maryland missed on Isaiah Prince. After speaking with him in February, Williams informed me that he hadn’t heard from Maryland for over a month and spoke more about visiting SEC schools – Alabama and Auburn specifically. Let’s get in the mindset of not getting Williams now. Prediction: Alabama

Offensive Guard

Richard Merritt, Archbishop Carroll Teammates with Williams, Merritt spoke highly of Maryland after visit in April. Having a connection with Adam McLean also helps the Terps, but I don’t get the impression Maryland is his landing spot. Prediction: Florida State

Terrance Davis, Dematha Catholic Davis’s crystal ball is trending Michigan, but IF Haskins commits to Maryland on Friday, expect Davis to follow suit. Prediction: Maryland

Defensive Tackle

Rashan Gary, Paramus Catholic (NJ) The No.1 overall prospect in the junior class has never seriously been considered to commit to Maryland. There are a few Big Ten schools that stand out, but Nick Saban’s defensive prowess could prove to hard to pass up. Prediction: Alabama

Ellison Jordan, Gilman Jordan, one of the top defensive line targets for Maryland recently received an offer from Syracuse. The Terps have been after him for quite some time now, as a scholarship was extended in February of 2014. With an inexperienced defensive line, and a transition to a 4-3 defense, early playing time will be available for Jordan at Maryland. Prediction: Maryland

Rashad Wheeler, Central Catholic (Penn) After recently interviewing Wheeler, he didn’t say much about Maryland and Pittsburgh, and was more emphatic with his tone regarding Penn State. Both universities have told Wheeler that their defense can be built around him, but Penn State wins out here. Prediction: Penn State

Outside Linebacker

Keith Simms, Landon School (MD) Simms is an intriguing prospect. Mixed with great intellect and football skills, Simms has been pursued by some of the nation’s best programs, including Wisconsin and Stanford. The prospect called Stanford his "dream school" and many pegged him as a Cardinal lean when they offered back in February. The 6’3, 220-pound linebacker stated that Haskins had been advocating Maryland to the DMV standouts in an interview with Testudo Times. If Stanford were to have received a commitment from him, I feel it would have happened by now. If Haskins stays in Maryland, so does Simms. Prediction: Maryland

Noah Burks, Carmel (IN) The Terrapins continue to establish roots in the Midwest by recruiting Noah Burks, a 6’3, 221-pound linebacker from Indiana. Burks is very high on the Terps, but after an offer from one of the conference’s big boys – Wisconsin – the Terps lose out on a quality player. Prediction: Wisconsin

Defensive Back Trevon Diggs, The Avalon School (MD) It could come as a surprise to some that the younger Diggs is listed as a cornerback, but Maryland is recruiting him for this position. With Diggs at the corner opposite Will Likely – a senior-to-be when Diggs is a freshman – Maryland could have a very formidable secondary. There has been talk recently about Alabama being the landing spot. Diggs has kept a tight lid on this, so a Maryland commitment is not a guarantee. Prediction: Maryland

Safety

JJ Givens, Atlee (VA) Arizona State and Penn State have been recruiting Givens the hardest lately, but Maryland is in the thick of things. Givens has been on fire this offseason, as he was named the DB MVP of The Opening regional in Charlotte last week and South Carolina became the first SEC school to offer a scholarship. A big senior season is ahead for Givens, and I’d be surprised if he got out of the state of Virginia. Prediction: Virginia Tech