Terps sign Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year Ty Pigrome

The Terps have landed their top priority for the 2016 recruiting class.

Clay-Chalkville (Ala.) three-star quarterback Ty Pigrome announced his commitment to Maryland on National Signing Day Feb. 3 and is expected to compete for the starting job in College Park as a freshman.

“They have two redshirt seniors, so [Walt Bell] was saying I could either beat them out in the fall or if I don’t beat them out then I could redshirt and lead the offense the next four years,” Pigrome told TSR after he was offered by the Terps Jan. 10.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Pigrome narrowed his choices down to Maryland and Virginia Tech in the final days leading up to his decision, but Tulane was in the mix up until that point as well and he did also take an unexpected official visit to Penn State Jan. 31 after being in Blacksburg Jan. 29 and College Park Jan. 30.

Many of the schools that were heavily pursuing Pigrome were interested in him as an athlete and projected him playing multiple positions on offense. However, Pigrome has made it clear in his conversations with TSR in the past that he prefers to play quarterback at the next level and that’s exactly where the Terps want him.

Pigrome’s relationship with Bell and Maryland running back coach Anthony Tucker also played a role in his decision to commit to Maryland. Bell and Tucker had been recruiting Pigrome to play at Arkansas State while they were coaching the Red Wolves together prior to coming to College Park.

Pigrome was named the Alabama high school Gatorade Player of the Year after his senior season and becomes the second Gatorade Player of the Year that will join the Terps next season. Damascus (Md.) running back Jake Funk received the same award for Maryland.