Maryland football will return home this weekend with a chance to secure bowl eligibility for the third consecutive season, while looking to become bowl eligible at its earliest point in a season since 2001.
They’ll do so with a four-star visitor along the sidelines as 2025 St. Joseph Prep (NJ) four-star linebacker Cam Smith confirms he will unofficially visit Maryland for Saturday’s game against Illinois.
The 6-foot-0.5, 196-pound linebacker picked up an offer three weeks ago and was initially slated to visit campus for the Indiana game before plans fell through. Now, he’ll make his way to College Park after the Terps left a strong impression on him back in the spring.
I’ve been up there before for the spring game. The campus was nice, now I’m trying to see how the defense is, see if it’s a good fit, see how everything works up there,” Smith told IBG. “I do want to see the campus again though because last time I went it was really nice.“
Now in his junior season, the former two-way starter has dialed into the defensive side of the ball as Cincinnati, Michigan, Penn State, Texas A&M, Rutgers and West Virginia are among the schools staying in contact with the blue-chip target.
“I still kind of miss the offense but by now I’m feeling like I’m at full strength on defense,” Smith added.
Offensive analyst Preston Brown is the one who fired back up the relationship between the two sides prior to his September offer from Maryland.
“It was a little out of the blue but I’m glad I’ve got it. I’ve kept up with them since,” Smith said. “I’ve known him first when he was at Temple. We’ve talked a little bit since the offer.”
Cam Smith is rated a four-star prospect and a 91 overall by On3. Smith is also rated the fourth-best player in Pennsylvania and 116th-best prospect in the country.
Loyola Blakefield OL Trevor Szymanski commits to Maryland
Three up, three down: Maryland vs Ohio State
Maryland basketball projected for top three finish, Jahmir Young named preseason All-Big Ten
Where Maryland football lands in week seven bowl projections