Stefon Diggs: Why Top-Rated Recruit Should Sign with Maryland

Often times football recruits exchange the potential to be a hometown icon for the glory of the SEC or a national championship in college.

But more hometown recruits should honor where they came from, because they will be honored by the people surrounding them tenfold if they do.

Stefon Diggs, the No. 13 recruit in the nation according to ESPNU, has the chance to be a hometown hero. Sometimes that means more than playing on the big stage.

Forget the idea that Diggs wouldn't get enough national exposure if he chose Maryland.

We've seen plenty of players on struggling programs get selected early in the NFL draft regardless. Heck, Darrius Heyward-Bey, a former Maryland player, was selected No. 7 overall in the 2009 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. Second-round pick Torrey Smith has gone on to become a difference-maker for the Baltimore Ravens.

Diggs' friend and Good Counsel teammate, Wes Brown, is already planning to play at Maryland next season. Last year, the two actually said they'd be playing in college together. Why change that now?

With Diggs' skill set at wide receiver, running back or defensive back, he has the potential to be a game-changer for the Terrapins, who went 2-10 last season in a deflating campaign. He virtually glides around the field and he can be a load to bring down for smaller defensive backs when he hits the second level. Beyond that, his athleticism and speed is impressive, and with some work on his route-running, he could be an extremely dangerous receiver in college.

Right now, Diggs is reportedly choosing between Maryland, Florida, Ohio State and Auburn. The Washington Post reported on Thursday that he was going to accept a scholarship to play for Maryland.

If Diggs chooses Maryland, he could become better than Heyward-Bey, better than Smith. He could become one of the great players Maryland has had on its campus. In the last several years, no one has been rated as highly as Diggs coming out of high school.

Diggs should buck the trend.

Forget Florida. Forget Ohio State. Forget Auburn.

When Diggs scores his first touchdown for Maryland, he will know he made the right decision by the roars in the stadium.