Recruiting

New and familiar names emerging in the trenches

Maryland has kept their offensive line board open through the May period as the staff jumped in for two more linemen last week: Jason Zandamela and Mauricio Hinds. If Jason’s name rings a bell, it’s because he’s the younger brother of Bruno Zandamela, a former 2021 prospect also out of Clearwater Academy International that Maryland was in the mix for. Despite tight ends coach Kevin Sumlin getting a chance to watch the 6-foot-8, 310-pound lineman in-person last week, Jason tells IBG that the Terps’ offer is too late with his focus set on his upcoming official visits to Oklahoma, USC then Florida State ahead of his July 6 commitment date. Maryland is under consideration for an official from Hinds, Zadamela’s teammate and 6-foot-5, 275-pound lineman, as he irons out his official visit plans. “We only talked once so far and they do want me to take one I’m just giving it a week before I make and final decisions,” he told IBG.

While Maryland looks to pull out a surprise with their latest offensive line targets, the Terps are still in the picture for one of their longtime defensive targets as Maryland remains in position to receive an official visit from Gonzaga (DC) four-star DD Holmes next month while Florida State, Penn State and South Carolina are among the four primary schools gunning for the 6-foot-6, 240-pound edge rusher. Defensive coordinator Brian Williams has made his way through D.C. already this month, roughly one month after Holmes made his way to campus for a spring practice where he was able to sit down with Williams and watch him coach his unit up. Penn State has held confidence at times during his recruitment, the ‘Noles are hitting the DMV hard this cycle while the Gamecocks have carried buzz within the DMV that’s carried over from last cycle, but Maryland will get their shot at the top local target as they hope to end a seven-cycle drought at Gonzaga through the pursuit of DD Holmes.

Meanwhile, John Curtis (LA) three-star defensive lineman Jowhar Franklin, picked up an offer last week and has Maryland in the mix for an official visit alongside Ohio State, Colorado and Florida State as he irons out his schedule. Defensive coordinator Brian Williams is leading the charge as Franklin, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound, is a defensive tackle target for the Terps.

One prospect that is expected to officially visit is Michael Krop (FL) safety Kal-El Pascal, who got a chance to practice in front of safeties coach Zac Spavital back on May 12. Pascal’s stock has sorn this month with Georgia, Texas A&M and Auburn the latest three schools to offer but the Terps’ connections and in-roads have them in the mix heading into the summer. The 6-foot safety made his way to campus last month for his first visit with a handful of teammates by his side.

“I did sit down with Brian Williams and I talked to him. I sat down with the safeties coach and talked to him. The safeties coach really liked me because I can move around the field and play defensive back. Safety, corner, nickel, strong safety. I can play all five.”

Local lineman sets two officials, talks Maryland (+)

Pair of local lineman eyeing Maryland visits heading into June (+)

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