Maryland had a handful of key targets on campus this weekend, but one out-of-state target turned his trip to College Park into a weekend visit with the staff in hot pursuit. Hickory (NC) four-star athlete Rico Walker arrived at Maryland at roughly 2 PM on Friday and after leaving midday on Sunday, Maryland has emerged as the primary contender in the recruitment of the 6-foot-3, 235-pound athlete.
“It was really good getting back. I really appreciate the transparency with the coaching staff,” Walker told Inside the Black and Gold. “I don’t mind being around those guys, just the love that they show me.” Friday was spent touring the facilities with the staff and his family by his side before getting some one-on-one time. “I talked to him Friday when I got down there, talked to him for a good bit. Just the program they’re building. I like where it’s headed, especially with a black head coach so the program looks good and I can invest in it.”
Walker also took in the Ohio State game and took note of his potential impact following the loss. “They played really well, honestly. Just need a few missing pieces,” he added. Part of this weekend’s visit was solidifying his fit within the Terps’ program as Walker figures out which side of the ball he wants to play on. There’s a desire for Walker to play offense at the next level as Maryland initially pitched the fit at tight end, but the dire need at outside linebacker and Walker’s length makes him a natural fit on the defensive side of the ball. Walker’s father prefers the defensive side of the ball, while Walker himself doesn’t mind getting the ball in his hands. “I just want to impact the game so I don’t really care where I’ll play. If I go there, I might try offense. They’re talking about if I come there, they’ve got a package for me.“
Wide receiver coach Gunter Brewer has led Walker’s recruitment and never stopped reaching out through his commitment to North Carolina. Brewer stopped by Walker’s school last month as the two have built a strong relationship. “Really good dude man. I respect him a lot. I’m a fan of his craft, I know he’s built a lot of receivers to the league,” he added. But the tight relationship between Walker, his camp and Maryland’s recruiting analyst Gary Wortham Jr. has also set the stage for the Terps to gain the inside track as Wortham was alongside the four-star all weekend. “He plays a pretty big role. Just the relationship that we’ve built over the years when I met him years ago, we’re really close.”
Walker has taken a pair of officials back in the summer and with officials still available once month until signing day, the four-star prospect admitted he’s unlikely to any of the the remaining three officials. He’ll make his public decision next month.
”I was thinking about it but me and my pops are talking about doing it on signing day.”
Walker is rated a four-star prospect and a 90 overall by On3, sitting as the 12th-best player in North Carolina.
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