2025 safety Trent Gillis was a key piece in Spalding’s (MD) MIAA championship run after posting 80 tackles, seven TFLs and pass breakups each and a pair of interceptions with one pick six.
Now, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety has shifted his attention toward the offseason where he’s looking to add to his frame. “Just straight workouts for school, focus on football and try to get bigger, faster, stronger,” Gillis told IBG. “I’ve been trying to get up to 200, 205 during the game because over the season we all start to lose weight. Playing at that weight I think I can really do some damage.”
Syracuse has made the DMV a focus since Fran Brown took over as head coach and it was the Orange who became the next school to offer once Shipps shifted his attention toward the offseason. UMass, Memphis, Akron and Pitt have followed through since with a long list of Power Five schools keeping tabs into the spring.
“Everybody tells me just enjoy it and that’s what I’ve been trying to do, take it all in. Everybody tells me the same thing but it’s about really building that relationship with people, that’s what it’s all about.”
Marshall was the first school to offer, Maryland was the first Power Five school to pull the trigger last summer as co-defensive coordinator Brian Williams has led the way since. Gillis visited for the Penn State and Michigan games back in November, then returned to campus last month alongside his teammates for the Terps’ basketball game vs. Nebraska.
Beyond Maryland being the local school, the consistent interest from Williams through his junior year into 2024 has the Terps in his top group.
“It’s hometown, they show me the most love and I just love the atmosphere every single time I get up there. Being from Maryland, right there in Glen Burnie, it’s a little bit of a drive but it’s not a drive. Just being able to go up there, I just feel like we have such a good connection, Spalding and myself and the Maryland staff, I feel like we’re all tight-knit,” Shipps added. “I never posted it but coach Locksley came to visit us. I feel like we really have some great relationships with them.”
Shipps expects to be back in College Park once spring practice kicks off.
“Of course I’m going to get up to a couple spring practices but I don’t have anything planned out right now.”
Trent Gillis is not yet rated by On3.
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