Maryland Terrapins Expect Big Things From Deon Long

The Maryland Terrapins need immediate help at a number of positions before next season.

The obvious position that needs to be sorted out is quarterback, where the Terps played seemingly a dozen different players at the position this year due to injury.

But after quarterback, you could make the argument that wide receiver is the biggest need.  After all, whoever is throwing the rock for the Terps next year will need someone to haul in those fluttering passes.

Yes, the Terps will be bringing back star receiver Stefon Diggs, who is already the best player on the team only four months after stepping on campus.  Diggs was a monster recruit coming out of nearby national powerhouse Good Counsel (Olney, MD), and made an immediate impact for UMD receiving, rushing and returning.  He was/is Maryland’s version of Percy Harvin, just an all-around freakish athlete.

After Diggs, however, there’s little to be excited about regarding the receivers.  An immediate infusion of talent will be necessary: Preferably a player with some experience already to complement Diggs.  Consider it done, Terps fans.

The Terps recently signed the number one JUCO player in the country, receiver Deon Long.  Long, from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, had about as good of a season as you can have for a receiver.

In 12 games he had 100 receptions, 1,626 yards receiving and 25 touchdowns- all three of which were tops nationally.  Heck, he’s even walking away from I.W.C.C. with a Junior College National Championship.  Not too bad.

This is exactly what Maryland needs.  Granted, the Terps will still be looking for receiver number 3 (and 4, 5 and 6), but this gives Maryland two viable options in the passing game.  He’ll make the job easier for Maryland’s quarterback (either C.J. Brown, Perry Hills, Caleb Rowe or who knows), no doubt about it.

The 6’1” 205lb Long has been committed to the Terps since late June, and has remained steadfast in his decision despite increasing pressure from the Florida Gators and Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Maryland hasn’t had this much talent at wide receiver since 2008, when future NFL‘ers Darrius Heyward-Bey (1st round, Oakland Raiders) and Torrey Smith (2nd round, Baltimore Ravens) were lined up for the Terps.  It’s still very early, but Long and Diggs have the talent to be even more productive the boys from ’08.

Now we just need to see who the heck is going to get them the ball.