Class of 2022 quarterback Drew Dickey earns first offer from Maryland football

Class of 2022 quarterback Drew Dickey has plenty of links to the University of Texas. His father went to school there, and being an Austin native, Dickey has been to Texas Memorial Stadium many times.

Tom Herman took over as head coach of the Longhorns in 2017 and was expected to bring the program back to prominence, but Maryland football stood in the way. Dickey explicitly remembers the Terps knocking off Texas in consecutive upsets in 2017 and 2018.

“A lot of people saw Maryland was the real deal and executed at a high level,” Dickey told Testudo Times.

Now, under head coach Mike Locksley and a program on the rise with an influx of talent coming in, Maryland became the first school to offer Dickey Wednesday. Newly-minted offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dan Enos has worked quickly to find and connect with recruits he sees promise in.

“I had just gotten out of school and was sitting in my car,” Dickey recalled. “Coach Enos had texted me to call him if I had a minute. He cut to the chase and said he liked what he saw in me and extended the offer right there.”

The coronavirus pandemic and extensive dead period has shaken the recruiting landscape, leaving players like Dickey unable to attend camps or visit colleges to try and generate recognition.

Dickey remains unranked by all recruiting services, but it’s hard to see why. Standing at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Dickey lead Regents High School to a 10-0 record and TAPPS Division II state championship as a junior in 2020, completing 70% of his passes for 1,861 yards, 25 touchdowns and rushing for 741 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“I have a strong pocket presence,” Dickey said. “I can make any throw on the field and I’ve added the ability to get it done on the ground when needed. I feel like I bring some leadership qualities as well.”

Despite being tabbed a “pro-style” quarterback, Dickey believes that he fits the bill as a dual-threat talent with the advancements he made on the ground between his sophomore and junior seasons.

“I really started grinding in the weight room,” Dickey said. “I put on some weight, which helps, but I also worked on my speed training to get my 40 time down.”

Dickey got in contact with Maryland through personal quarterback coach Tony Ballard, who had a prior relationship with Brawley Evans. Enos was given film on Dickey and the two kept in contact over Twitter, with Dickey sending more workout clips as well to show his growth.

“[Coach Enos] is very calm and collected,” Dickey said. “I can tell he wants to get to work.”

Dickey is relishing in his first opportunity, but other schools are beginning to reach out as well. Since Maryland extended an offer, Houston, Rice, Northwestern and Colorado State have reached out to build connections.

Dickey said he doesn’t have a timetable for a decision with his process just getting started. He plans to take visits whenever he is allowed by the NCAA.