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Alabama quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome has committed to play his college football at Maryland, his high school program announced on Twitter on Wednesday.
It is the Maryland Terrapins for Gatorade Player of the Year, Ty Pigrome. #makeyourway #Couglife pic.twitter.com/WruqlBYvs0
— Clay-Chalk Football (@CCHSfootbal) February 3, 2016
Virginia Tech and Tulane had also been after Pigrome. It was widely rumored that Hokies coach Justin Fuente wanted Pigrome as a slot receiver, not a quarterback, and perhaps that helped Maryland.
Pigrome, classified by recruiting agencies as a dual-threat quarterback, is rated the No. 64 athlete in the class of 2016 and the No. 32 player in Alabama. He is known for his athleticism and should bring some flare to Walt Bell's Maryland offense. But his highlight tape suggests he can do plenty more than just run. He's got the arm strength to deliver accurate passes at least 40 yards down the field, as he does at the 1:45 mark here:
Maryland desperately needed a quarterback after the Haskins decommitment, and Pigrome was the biggest positional target remaining on the team's board. He'll have a chance to rise up the depth chart fairly quickly given Maryland's ugly quarterback situation. He's athletic enough to be a fun player and a fast fan favorite, although he could redshirt as a freshman.
Pigrome became increasingly critical to Maryland over the last few weeks. The Terps had targeted Louisiana dual threat Lindsey Scott and pro-style passer Chase Fourcade, but both opted to stay closer to home. Pigrome isn't as pedigreed as Haskins, certainly, but he's a high-level prospect nonetheless. He could also be a strong fit in Bell's spread system, which doesn't require a downfield-throwing quarterback.
This is big news, Maryland fans.