When Maryland announced its plans for a $155 million upgrade to its football facilities, recruits took notice. The plans call for a renovation to Cole Field House, construction of an indoor practice facility and integration between academics and athletics.

Coach Randy Edsall called the move a game-changer for the program, especially in terms of recruiting.

“With these kids it shows that the university is making a commitment to football. It shows that there’s a commitment here to make the student-athlete the best it can be,” Edsall said. “It shows with the other things we have that we’re heading in the right direction and you’ve got everything here. You’ve got the quality education, Big Ten football and now you can train and develop yourself with the state-of-the-art facilities that aren’t going to be any better anywhere else in the country.”

Edsall has been talking about adding new facilities since he was hired at Maryland. Coming from UConn and seeing the impact the new facilities had on their athletics and recruiting, Edsall knew it was imperative for the Terps to upgrade the facilities to compete with bigger programs and a bigger, wealthier league.

The upgrades became that much more important when Maryland joined the Big Ten as Maryland is currently without an indoor practice facility, which most conference programs have. Edsall also believes the weight room isn’t big enough and the current training room doesn’t meet the needs of the student-athletes in terms of preventative measures and rehabilitation.

Local recruits and Maryland targets were clamoring for the upgrades almost as much as Edsall. The prospects echoed Edsall’s thoughts on how the facilities can help the athletes, and they recognize the new additions will help the Terps on the recruiting trail.

Dwayne Haskins, a Potomac, Maryland prospect, is the No. 26 prospect in the 2016 class. He is a big target for the Terps, and as the No. 2-ranked pocket-passer in the class, Haskins could help change the future of the program.

Haskins has scholarship offers from nearly every big program in the country. That means he knows what everyone else has to offer and is excited that Maryland will be catching up.

“It does help out because the in-state kids are used to going to Texas and Florida and seeing those facilities, then coming home and seeing the smaller weight room compared to those bigger schools,” he said. “So with them getting the new facilities, it definitely gives that look that people want and makes it more comparable to other schools. Now that the facilities are there, it makes it easier to pitch the school to recruits.”

Linebacker Keandre Jones is an ESPN Junior 300 prospect who committed to Maryland in December, shortly after the facilities upgrade was approved. Jones said the facilities played a big part in his decision to stay home and choose Maryland over some of the other big offers he had.

Prospects are quick to recognize that while the upgrades and new plans are exciting and nice, and they are part of the decision process, they don’t necessarily make the decision for them. While it helps even the playing field for Maryland with bigger schools and gets the Terps into the conversation, it will only be part of the decision.

That’s where Edsall is hoping that their plans stick out and put them in a different category with their recruiting targets. Not only are there plans to upgrade the athletic side, but Edsall says Maryland will integrate academics into the facilities.

A big part of Maryland’s recruiting pitch includes academics and opportunities after college. Edsall believes the new facilities will only enhance that pitch and the school’s commitment to academics.

“... We’re going to encompass the dining facility, academics, the locker room, weight room, all those things, but now you’re encompassing [Maryland’s] academy of innovation and entrepreneurship within this,” he said. “That really states that here at Maryland it’s all about the student-athlete, not just the athlete. You go out and sell this and show the prospective student-athletes that you’re recruiting, and you’re giving them an opportunity where at other places it’s not happening.”