By Kyle McFadden (@k_fadd)
On Wednesday, December 2nd at 5:20 pm, the University of Maryland football account took to Twitter announcing it’s next football coach. Michigan defensive coordinator, D.J. Durkin, will officially take over the duties that were left behind by Randy Edsall.
Maryland Football on Twitter
It’s official: Welcome to Maryland, Coach! #UMDurkin #MarylandPride
Durkin will bring a fiery demeanor, recruiting prowess and coaching lineage to Urban Meyer (Florida) and Jim Harbaugh (Michigan) onto College Park. Many assume that the new offense Maryland may sport will be along the lines of an Ohio State spread-power attack.
UMD fired Edsall on October 11th after a musty 2-4 start of the season and then showed little, to no improvement under interim head coach Mike Locksley, who is expected to remain with the staff, per source.
Prior to his coaching duties in Michigan as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, he held positions with the Florida Gators from 2010 to 2012.
Durkin will inherit a highly touted recruiting class and numerous of underclass standouts:
Adam McLean, incoming redshirt freshman defensive lineman, #12 2015 defensive lineman in the nation
Darryl Turner, incoming true freshman wide reciever, top-150 2016 wide receiver in the nation
Devin Butler, incoming true freshman, #62 2016 athlete in the nation
DJ Moore, incoming sophomore wide receiver, 357 yards and 3 TD’s on 25 receptions
Dwayne Haskins, incoming true freshman quarterback, #2 2016 quarterback prospect in the nation
EJ Donahue, incoming redshirt freshman offensive tackle, top-100 2015 offensive tackle in the nation
Jake Funk, incoming true freshman running back, Maryland high school football 2nd all-time leading scorer and single season scoring record (50 TD’s)
Jermaine Carter, incoming sophomore linebacker, All-Big Ten honorable mention
Keandre Jones, incoming true freshman linebacker, #9 2016 outside linebacker in the nation
Levern Jacobs, incoming senior wide receiver, 425 yards and 3 TD’s on 35 receptions
Lorenzo Harrison, incoming true freshman running back, top-100 2016 running back
Michael Dunn, incoming senior offensive lineman, All-Big Ten honorable mention
Parnell Motley, incoming true freshman, #52 2016 athlete in the nation
Quinton Jefferson, incoming senior defensive lineman, All-Big Ten honorable mention
Quarvez Boulware, incoming redshirt freshman offensive guard, #28 2015 offensive guard in the nation
Taivon Jacobs, incoming junior wide receiver, 264 yards and 2 TD’s on 21 receptions
Tino Ellis, incoming true freshman wide receiver, #70 2016 wide receiver in the nation
Ty Johnson, incoming sophomore running back, 250 yards and 3 TD’s on 35 carries
Tyrone Hill, incoming true freshman safety, #56 2016 safety in the nation
William Likely, incoming senior defensive back/return specialist, First Team All-Big Ten defensive back, Rodgers-Swight Return Specialist of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten return specialist
