After injuries cut his sophomore year short, Spalding three-star linebacker Keyshawn Flowers solidified himself as the driving force on a defense that allowed just over 14 points per game. Flowers, a 6-foot-2 linebacker, shined inside and out as he posted 81 tackles to help Spalding win the MIAA A championship.
It wasn’t until after his junior season when Flowers saw the fruits of his labor begin to blossom. Maryland jumped into the mix with defensive coordinator Brian Williams once again spearheading recruiting efforts at the Severn powerhouse, led by former Terp Kyle Schmitt. Alabama extended an offer after the Maryland linebacker made the trip to Tuscaloosa. Duke, Indiana, Michigan State, Penn State, USC and Virginia Tech would all jump into the mix as Flowers amassed nearly 30 offers. Miami (FL) prioritized Flowers through the spring, recruiting him hard enough to press for a commitment during his first official visit weekend.
As planned, Flowers held off in favor of his remaining officials to Notre Dame then Maryland. After wrapping up the three visits, Flowers came to a decision this week before telling head coach MIke Locksley on Tuesday.
“It was kind of recently,” Flowers added. “It was pretty much between them and Miami but after the OV, it was time to cut down and I felt myself feeling Maryland.” Flowers is plenty familiar with Maryland having made himself a frequent visitor through his high school career, but having his former teammate in Kellan Wyatt host him during last weekend’s official visit helped offer a different perspective.
“We already had went over a lot since it’s so close, I’ve had the chance to talk and go over a lot with the coaches. They showed me a lot around campus, stuff I hadn’t seen yet.”
The opportunity to play alongside his brother, new preferred walk-on Keion Flowers, was an added bonus that helped the Terps land their longtime local target. “Having my brother, my family support me more than they could if I were out of state is big for sure.” So did the consistency from defensive coordinator Brian Williams as Maryland adds their fourth Spalding standout since Mike Locksley took over. “He recruited Kellan and a few other guys from Spalding, too, so it’s always been a great relationship,” Flowers said of Williams.
Flowers became the third inside linebacker to join Maryland’s class alongside Justin Okoronkwo and Keyari James as the Spalding product joins the class as a MIKE. “I think I fit really good. They like to blitz their linebackers a lot and do a lot of the things I do now at Spalding.”
Flowers is planning to graduate in December and enroll in College Park in January as the Terps have now added four in-state commits to the 2024 class, giving Maryland juice on the local recruiting trail.
“Being at the OV, they’re definitely building something. They’re keeping the local guys home. I’m helping with some players from my school.”
Flowers is rated a three-star prospect and an 89 overall by On3.