Mainland (FL) three-star safety E’zaiah Shine has been to Maryland twice already this spring as this weekend gave the 6-foot-2 athlete his first extended visit to College Park. Outside linebacker coach James Thomas has led the way with Shine through the spring into June as this weekend gave the two a chance to strengthen their Florida connection.
“That’s my guy. We got a chance to talk a lot,” Shine told IBG. “He wasn’t pressuring me hard. He does a really good job just keeping up with me. Just being around him all the time, he tells me how they’ll use me and how I’ll be a great fit for them.”
Had a great time at Maryland🐢!! @coachjthomas11 @UMD_CoachBaker @CoachLocks pic.twitter.com/44hI4QcG6t
— Ezaiah shine 3🌟 DB (@EzaiahShine) June 26, 2023
It was only fitting for Florida native and new Maryland safety Avantae Williams to host Shine this weekend where the Terps’ defensive back target got a chance to immerse himself in the locker room and spend time with the players before sitting down with the defensive staff. “It was great getting back up there. I was around a lot of the players, I was with Avantae [Williams]. I really like their campus, they showed me around more of that. I sat down in position meetings with coach [Henry] Baker, he showed me my weaknesses and showed me some things I can get better at. He showed some plays that I had did good. I liked that a lot. I like coach Baker.”
Shine sits on the board as a safety target but Baker and safeties coach Zac Spavital showed Shine how his versatility translates to the Terps’ back line. “They’re looking at me at all five positions because I’m taller. I can play anywhere, the nickel, safety. They really like me playing around, like my versatility.” Shine’s visit also came one week after four-star safety Brandon Jacob made his way to campus for his official visit. “Hopefully we play with each other,” Shine added.
Shine’s trip to UCF was an unofficial visit to kick off the month while he officially visited Iowa State the second weekend of June. Shine was previously eyeing a summer commitment and didn’t rule out the possibility of moving up his timeline, but for now, the Florida target is eyeing a fall decision.
“I might take one or two visits in the fall.” Where do the Terps sit coming out of the weekend?
“I like them a lot. They’re definitely top five.”
Shine is not yet rated by On3, but is a three-star and an 86 overall by 247Sports.
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