Maryland checks on local four-star, eyeing visit to campus

2025 four-star defensive tackle Bryce Jenkins has been consistently recognized among the top defensive linemen in the area ever since he began his high school career at DeMatha, and the 6-foot-4 lineman was a big part of Friendship Collegiate’s defense this past season alongside South Carolina signee Dylan Stewart and Penn State signee Deandre Cook.

With both Power Five linemen departed, now it’s Jenkins’s turn to lead the Knights as the 305-pound lineman begins weight training with the school next week, but has already started offseason workouts with longtime local trainer Myron Flowers where he’s looking to stay within 305-to-310 pounds prior to senior year. In the meantime, Jenkins has enjoyed a 20-plus offer list thus far with South Carolina, Penn State, Virginia Tech, LSU, Florida, Miami (FL), Michigan and Tennessee among the schools in the mix early.

In his eyes, Jenkins’s recruitment is only beginning as he’s kept an open mind about the process, but Maryland has bolstered its pursuit of the top local target with Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, who coached at Friendship before beginning his college career, in the fold. So it was no surprise to see he and head coach Mike Locksley make their way through the DC school on the first day that coaches were back on the road.

“Aazaar and coach Locks came up to the school on Friday so I got a chance to see them there. We talk a lot so it’s kind of normal seeing them now,” Jenkins told IBG. “The whole Maryland team, I’ve been around them for a while. They offered me like in eighth grade so they’ve been on me for a long time so I feel real comfortable.”

Jenkins made his way to College Park for the first two home games before returning for the Illinois game in October, but it may not be much longer until he’s back on campus.

“Coach Aazaar told me he’s going to get me up for a visit,” Jenkins added. While the two have built a strong rapport throughout his high school career, the relationship between Jenkins and co-defensive coordinator Brian Williams has given Maryland another angle as they chip away. “Coach Williams told me they see me fitting like a four and zero-tech to kind of move me around a little bit.”

While Jenkins looks to make his way to College Park in the coming weeks, Penn State and Syracuse have both made pushes to get the four-star on campus this spring. Assistant wide receivers coach Devin Redd is leading the efforts for the Orange as Jenkins becomes the latest DMV prospect to entertain first-year head coach Fran Brown.

“It’s a whole new coaching staff up there so it’s been good to get to know them.”

Bryce Jenkins is rated a four-star prospect and a 90 overall by On3, sitting as the third-best prospect in D.C. and the 289th-best prospect in the 2025 class.

Maryland checks on local four-star, eyeing visit to campus

Ahmed Ghafir