College Football

Maryland lands 6 DBs, 2 QBs among 23 in Durkin's 1st class

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:17 p.m. ET

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) With only one starting defensive back returning from last year's 3-9 team, DJ Durkin focused on filling the void with his first recruiting class as a head coach.

Maryland recruited six DBs - more than any position - including Qwuantrezz Knight and Antwaine Richardson out of Florida.

''We need as many guys as possible that can run and cover,'' Durkin said. ''It was definitely a priority, based on numbers on our roster.''

Durkin, who was defensive coordinator at Michigan, added, ''We're going to play an aggressive style, and a lot of it depends on your DBs.''

The Terrapins also needed offensive linemen and nabbed four among the 23 recruits. The best of the bunch is Terrance Davis, a 6-foot-3, 320-pounder out of DeMatha.

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Other things to know:

Top 25 Class: No

Best in class: Davis, OG, Hyattsville, Maryland

Best of the rest: Tino Ellis, WR, Hyattsville, Maryland, Richard Merritt, OL, Silver Spring, Maryland., Adam McLean, DT, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Late addition: Tyrrell Pigrome, QB, Pinson, Alabama. Pigrome, the Alabama Gatorade State Player of the Year, announced his decision Wednesday. ''That guy is electric,'' Durkin said. ''I can't tell you happy we are that it worked out. That was in the works for a long, long time.''

One that got away: Recruited by former Maryland coach Randy Edsall, standout QB Dwayne Haskins flipped his commitment to Ohio State last month. Returning QB Perry Hills threw 13 INTs compared to eight TD passes in 2015, so getting Pigrome and QB Max Bortenschlager (Indiana) was very important.

How they'll fit in: Many of these players will have an opportunity to play immediately as Durkin looks to put his stamp on the struggling program. Four players - RB Jake Funk, McLean, Richardson and P Wade Lee - are already attending classes at Maryland. Funk, the Maryland Gatorade State Player of the Year, rushed for 52 TDs and 2,866 yards as a senior at Damascus High.