Maryland didn’t have to travel far to pick up commitment number five as Baltimore wideout Jahmari Powell-Wonson announced his commitment to Maryland over Pitt, Boston College and Virginia Tech. With the fifth commitment in the fold in Maryland football’s 2024 recruiting class, we break down how it happened, what it means and what’s next.
How it happened…Jahmari Powell-Wonson has long been familiar with Maryland after drawing interest through his junior year and making his way to campus at least twice this offseason, most recently for a spring practice. Powell-Wonson’s recruitment was initially expected to drag into summer as the Terps remained in pursuit, but what kept Maryland in the top group was the consistency from both Brewer and Lance Thompson throughout his recruitment. Combine that with his desire to stay home and Brewer’s lineage of NFL talent under his belt and Maryland was always in the thick of it for the Baltimore City star. The player validation that Powell-Wonson received from the current receivers, mainly Tyrese Chambers, also helped make Powell-Wonson more comfortable in the program as he was able to evaluate Maryland from multiple angles. Powell-Wonson’s tape graded out as a take early in the process as former Maryland star Torrey Smith also vouched for his 7-on-7 playmaker as the Terps were always in line to make the cut for his eventual top group with Pitt presenting themselves as the top competition. Maryland had planned to hit the recruiting trail once spring ball wrapped up and on the second day possible, both assistants made their way to Baltimore to check on the 6-foot-2 wideout. On the same day that the two sides finalized an official visit to Maryland for the last weekend in June, Powell-Wonson knew that was the day he wanted in the fold before telling the staff, including head coach Mike Locksley, later that week. The three-star product planned to go public with his pledge on Monday, but after briefly connecting with Locksley on Thursday, he opted to move forward to give the Terps some energy on the trail.
What it means…Powell-Wonson gives Maryland a big-framed perimeter receiver who can win the one-on-one balls. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound wideout also possesses good speed for his size and uses it well to create separation at the line of scrimmage. Powell-Wonson also lines up as a defensive back in high school, but he’ll need to show better consistency with his hands while he continues to develop his route tree, an aspect that 7-on-7 can actually help as he heads into his senior season. Working with Torrey Smith gives the Baltimore product a chance to refine those skills as he lines up with other local products like Gabe Williams and Chanz Wiggins. What Maryland gets is, similar to other Baltimore products like Ryan Manning or Daniel Owens, a low-maintenance player who wants in for the right reasons. As a junior, Powell-Wonson posted 1,110 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns on 32 catches.
What’s next…Maryland has a number of wide receivers they’re sitting in the top group for and with possibly two more spots left at the position, the staff is still in the mix for several regional prospects.
Cummings (NC) four-star Jonathan Paylor has UNC and NC State high on his list, but Maryland has been able to stay in the mix and is still in line to host him for an official for the second weekend in June. Maryland is also expected to receive official visits from the King George duo—Mekhai White and Chanz Wiggins—while Maryland holds a healthy lead for in-state receiver Evan Austin. Maryland was also able to bring in Crest (NC) four-star receiver Javarius Green and Camden (NJ) four-star Jaylan Hornsby in through spring ball, while Gunter Brewer’s longtime recruiting efforts for Tampa Catholic (FL) four-star TJ Moore paid off with a subsequent visit after he was in the area for the OT7 camp last weekend.
Maryland also has a pair of in-state targets they’re well-positioned for in Good Counsel (MD) three-star Elijah Moore and Oakdale (MD) three-star Evan Austin. There’s little doubt at this point that the Terps lead for Austin, who was back on campus for the spring game last weekend, as assistant Gunter Brewer resumes a recruitment that Mike Miller also helped lay the foundation for. Moore was planning to make his commitment in July, but he’s opted to push that back with a likely fall decision timeframe as Brewer and area recruiter James Thomas continue to play the long game. But Maryland is still in the top group for Moore despite taking a step back in the process and are in line to receive an official visit this summer, along with from teammates Dilin Jones and Aaron Chiles.
Powell-Wonson’s commitment won’t be the deciding factor, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that he’ll be playing with Williams and Wiggins all summer on the 7-on-7 circuit as the Terps remain in the hunt for both.
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