Spring Grove (PA) lineman Michael Hershey has been on Maryland’s radar through the spring into June as the staff kept tabs on the 6-foot-4, 260-pound prospect. Maryland made their way north to check on Hershey at his school during the spring evaluation period before inviting him down to visit for the spring game. It wasn’t until Hershey made his way to campus last week to work out for the staff that he saw Maryland’s pursuit ramp up, first with an offer before finalizing plans to officially visit the weekend of June 16.
After less than 48 hours on campus, Hershey was one of the visitors to give his verbal to Maryland during Saturday night’s boat tour to give offensive line coach Brian Braswell his fourth commitment for his unit this cycle. “It’s cool and it’s a lot less stressful now,” Hershey told IBG. “I feel like I can start working towards that goal and get here with the team at school.”
With his family alongside him, Hershey gave his position coach the heads up first. “I called coach Braswell on the phone while they were in the meeting and told them privately. Then I told coach Locksley right when we got on the boat, then everybody else found out on the microphone and they were ecstatic.”
Hershey had freshman wide receiver Braeden Wisloski as his player host where he got to check out more of campus before venturing into D.C. “We saw the campus, facilities, academic buildings. Talked to some of the guys, went bowling. Overall, just had a great time. It’s kind of cool that [Braeden] from the area, maybe an hour or two [away].”
With his recruitment now over, Hershey will shift his attention to the weight room where he’s currently around 260 pounds. The plan is to reach between 275 and 280 pounds heading into his senior season as he narrows in on his technique, but he’ll have a chance to develop through a different lens this fall. “The coaches said they’ll help scout my opponents and they’ll send me a workout program for the school year next year, then join them next year.”
Hershey became the second of two offensive line commitments for Maryland over the weekend as the Terps rebuild the trenches with a two-sport wrestler as part of the long-term answer. Hershey has made a name for himself as a wrestler after finishing 65-21 over his last two seasons in the 285-pound class, along with a seventh-place finish at the PIAA state championships last year. Hershey won’t wrestle for Maryland, but his wrestling goals are the reason why he’ll join the program next June.
“I’ll be going into my wrestling season and hopefully going for the state championship.”
Hershey is not yet rated by On3.
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