Gaithersburg (MD) three-star athlete Gideon Ituka has been a familiar face in College Park dating back to last summer and into the fall as he was able to take in a few Maryland home games. While the 5-foot-9, 230-pound in-state prospect entertained his recruitment, Ituka made a name for himself with the ball in his hands after eclipsing 1,100 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging a whopping 7.2 yards per carry. Ituka has overcome some questions about his size with his hard nose running style and deceptive quickness. Ituka will run track in the spring as well as he’s working on his explosiveness among other things this offseason.
“My main goals this offseason are pretty much staying in shape running track both indoor and outdoor & working out with my trainer API fitness every day, getting good explosive lifts in and speed work. And keeping my grades good so I’m not in a bad area there,” Ituka told IBG.
Maryland running back coach Elijah Brooks has led the way with an opportunity to build on the relationship in the spring. “I would say it’s alright. Not really [strong] but it’s solid,” Ituka added. Ituka’s ability to watch a handful of home games up close this fall gave him a chance to see more of the Terps’ rushing attack. “Just the way they move the ball, passing and running wise. They use their running backs a lot. They’re not so much like run, run, run, they have the pass and they work that combo and I really like that. Great linemen blocking wise.“
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Syracuse is a school pushing hard while Virginia has worked to get Ituka on campus, but for now, he’s still in the process of finding available time in the midst of track season. “As of right now I don’t know where I’m visiting yet,” Ituka added. Tennessee, NC State and Boston College have extended offers thus far as he’s staying patient to see which other schools will jump in before trimming his list. “[I’m] still waiting to see what other offers I receive before making one.”
For now, the plan is to make his commitment in the summer.
Ituka is rated a three-star prospect and an 87 overall by On3, sitting as the 18th-best player in Maryland. Ituka was also named the Montgomery County 4A offensive player of the year, while QO four-star edge rusher Jaylen Harvey drew defensive honors.
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