Maryland's Randy Edsall on recruiting against Penn State, creating a rivalry

CHICAGO — Penn State’s 20-19 loss to Maryland last November continues to be one of the Terrapins’ largest bargaining chips as they move forward on the recruiting trail.

The win was Maryland’s second all-time against Penn State and the team’s first ever win in State College. Beyond the non-handshake during the coin toss that created a stir, Maryland coach Randy Edsall said the win continues to help as the Terrapins as they move forward in the Big Ten.

“I think it showed kids in our area that we can compete with them and that we can win,” Edsall said Thursday at Big Ten Football Media Days. “Kids look at that. High school kids look at that. Penn State has always had a niche for being able to come down to Maryland and take players up and we knew if we wanted to get some recruits we’d have to beat them on the field.”

The Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia region has been a large part of Penn State’s recruiting footprint during the past. It was the region now Ohio State assistant head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson dominated during his time as a coach at Penn State. 

Penn State continues to have a strong presence in that region, with 2015 signees Kamonte Carter (Gaithersburg, Md.), Jonathan Holland (Potomac, Md.), Ayron Monroe (Washington, DC). The 2016 class has verbal pledges from defensive end Shane Simmons (Hyattsville, Md.), defensive tackle Ellison Jordan (Baltimore, Md.), linebacker Cameron Brown (Burtonsville, Md.) and cornerback Zechariah McPhearson (Upper Marlboro, Md.).

Edsall also was asked about how he views the future of Penn State and Maryland and whether or not the two schools will start to create rivalry.

“I think the proximity between the two schools, you hope that can develop into a rivalry because I think those things are good,” Edsall said. “But again, those things do take time and the only way you can create a rival is by beating teams on the field and that’s what we know we have to do if we want to have rivalries in the Big Ten.”

Franklin downplayed creating a rivalry with Maryland prior to the game last season, saying that while he understands the regional perspective, he simply viewed it as another Big Ten game. 

Audrey Snyder: asnyder@post-gazette.com and Twitter @audsnyder4