Speedy playmaking wide receiver Stefon Diggs, whom Urban Meyer and his Ohio State coaches aimed at being the final piece of their fast-closing 2012 Ohio State recruiting class, surprised many of the recruiting experts tonight when he picked home-state Maryland.

Diggs, who played at Olney (Good Counsel), Md., put off his decision for nine days after the first days national letters of intent could be signed on Feb.1. He made his choice known at a press conference in a packed sports pub in College Park, Md., just a few blocks from the Maryland campus.

The Terps became a major player for Diggs after they hired offensive coordinator Mike Locksley in December. He had been fired as New Mexico head coach in mid-season, but he had gained a reputation as a strong recruiter in the Washington, D.C., area at other stops on his coaching career, including as an assistant at Illinois.

Diggs was difficult to reach by those trying to monitor his recruiting process in the final weeks, but he made it known his final four were Auburn, Florida, Maryland and Ohio State. He had given few hints about his favorite until it was learned he scheduled to make his announcement at a location so close to the Maryland campus.

He is considered a big-play maker, as can be attested by his stats for 2011. While he caught just 36 passes, he gained 770, averaging 21.4 yards per catch, and scored eight touchdowns. He also could be a ball carrier on various spread plays and a kick returner.