Defensive tackle Chazz Wallace announced his intention to enter the transfer portal back on April 3, ending his two-year career with Old Dominion as the Power Five schools began to show interest.
Cincinnati, Louisville and Colorado became the first big schools to jump into the mix for the 6-foot-2, 295-pound lineman before first-year head coach Deion Sanders brought Wallace out for an unofficial during last weekend’s spring game. Shortly after wrapping up his visit in Boulder, defensive coordinator Brian Williams jumped into the mix to deliver Wallace his latest Power Five offer.
Two days later, Wallace was back in College Park for an unofficial visit.
The pitch for Wallace to stay home is one that resonates for the Glenarden native who began his high school career at Archbishop Carroll (DC) before transferring to Avalon (MD) for his senior season. Though he didn’t have an offer out of high school, Wallace drew interest from the staff and the possibility of returning home is one he isn’t overlooking.
“It’s a good feeling being from up Maryland, growing up in Maryland, being around Maryland, always watching Maryland games and being around the campus as a younger player.”
Tuesday’s visit gave Wallace a chance to see how he’d help replenish Maryland’s defensive line as he sat down with the staff. “It was a good experience seeing where basically I’d fit into the defensive line and how they’d use me,” Wallace told IBG. “I sat down with Brian Williams and NaVorro Bowman. They were just telling me how I’d fit and how I’d be used. They talked to me about the culture of staying home.”
Wallace is being recruited as a defensive tackle, giving him a potentially smooth transition to College Park. “They see me as a defensive tackle, line up in the 4i. It could work with my skillset. I feel like I can definitely do that. We just hit on the basics because it was an unofficial.”
Then Wallace got a chance to watch practice where he kept a close eye on his position unit. “I was focused on them almost entirely. I like the way [Brian Williams] coaches. He’s an active coach.”
Wallace was originally planning to visit Arizona State this week before officially visiting Louisville this weekend, but those plans have since changed. “I’m not going to Louisville. I do plan on going to Arizona State. I’m not going this weekend. I’m still trying to figure out dates.”
There is a chance he visits another school this weekend.
“I plan to come up to Maryland probably this weekend. I’m trying to fit into this weekend but if not, probably next week at some time.”
In two seasons with the Monarchs, Wallace posted 45 total tackles, three sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in 23 games. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
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