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Originally Posted by Undercover Brother
Wanted to tone down my initial post a bit and remembered I couldn't edit it. As far as Franklin, we have heard this "underestimating" before with Locksley, Cosh and the rest. Maryland's record versus PSU for kids that both offer and have legit interest in both schools isn't good. While I might be underestimating Franklin, you are forgetting about Larry Johnson and what he has done for PSU in that area. If you take a look at articles already, the kid has clicked with Johnson and its evident he has major interest in PSU. Until Maryland can successfully defend its state and win battles versus PSU for the top players, then I will get weary of Maryland. Don't mean to sound crass, but its reality. Maryland could win him over in the end ... stranger things have happened ... recruiting is fluid. That said, as it stands now, I will be surprised if this kid isn't a Lion come May when he wants to decide.
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To start, the Bryant Johnson thing is huge, clearly he has an impact in the kids life. Locksley hasn't been here for years, and isn't nearly as effective in MD as he is in DC. If you remember correctly LJ started to own MD when Franklin and Locksley were gone and you guys had that huge class in 2006. Cosh recruited the WCAC and I can't really remember you guys getting a player from there, could be my memory though. You are right that MD needs to lock down their own area- the same can be said for PSU although I'm not sure why you guys don't. In the eyes of many high schools in our area MD is not a program that has showed these kids their deserved love, which happened when Franklin and Locksley left and Friedgen made bad hires. MD announcing that Franklin is coach in waiting is huge for this area- many high school coaches have already come out and supported the hire; that's generally the reason why I said you are undervaluing Franklin. But i completely understand why PSU disrespects MD in this area- LJ is a man on a mission and he really relates to a lot of recruits. I haven't seen Coxson mention anything about his relationship with LJ but I could be mistaken, mostly everything is all about Johnson.
Hopefully for our sake times are changing in this area- hopefully there will never be a haul for you guys like there was in 2006. In fact you can see how much a difference Franklin is making, the guys that you beat us out for this past year were Stanley, Thomas, and Givens. That's still a lot of guys, but considerably down from what it was in 2006.