Maryland football was just hours into their first official visit weekend before picking up a pledge, but surprisingly, the commitment was a byproduct of the staff’s efforts last weekend as DeMatha (MD) offensive tackle Terez Davis made his way back to College Park for a pair of visits. The 6-foot-7 lineman gave his verbal to the staff on Wednesday before telling the rest of the coaching staffs in the mix that his recruitment was over, just hours ahead of Davis publicly announcing his pledge. https://twitter.com/Insideblackgold/status/1667291388092792835 The thought of staying closer to the area was a factor that always resonated with DeMatha (MD) offensive tackle Terez Davis as the local lineman kept the Terps in mind with former assistant Elijah Brooks once leading the charge. Brooks’ departure for Virginia Tech made the Hokies an immediate contender, but a spring visit from GT position coach Geep Wade put Davis high on the Yellow Jacket’s board as they were in best position heading into June. With offensive line coach Brian Braswell and tight ends coach Kevin Sumlin connecting with Davis through the spring, the trajectory of this recruitment changed when Davis made his way to College Park last Friday where his extended sit-down with head coach Mike Locksley made it clear that the Terps were serious about him. Offensive line coach Brian Braswell’s NFL coaching experience, along with sending multiple linemen to the NFL Draft in April, was another advantage for the Terps while Davis’ visit last Saturday gave him another perspective on working with his future position coach. “I feel like the coaches, coach Locksley and his staff, they’re good people and they’re very genuine,” Davis told IBG following his decision. “They built a relationship with me. I wanted to stay home so that my mom and my family can come watch me since it’s not so far out. I just thought seeing them, seeing how they work, seeing how they coach their players and just how they treat people, that just made me want to commit.” Davis had originally planned to begin his official visits on Friday with a return trip to Georgia Tech, followed by an official visit to Syracuse next weekend, but both trips were cancelled with news officially trickling out on Friday. With Davis’ commitment, Maryland ends a five-cycle drought at DeMatha which, ironically, ends after Elijah Brooks leaves the program. “The last person to come from DeMatha, Nick Cross, he’s in the NFL right now. I kind of looked at that and put it in perspective,” Davis added. With Davis in the fold, he gives the offensive line a high ceiling prospect who fits as a long-term option at tackle. At 6-foot-7 and currently hovering 280 pounds, Davis is making the full-time transition to offensive line after making a name for himself as a tight end and defensive end as a junior. Davis is naturally still raw at the position, but his basketball background translates to his impressive footwork that made him the coveted bookend tackle. Davis has a strong lower frame that was evident in one-on-ones during the Under Armour All-American game last month, but following his senior season, strength and conditioning coach Ryan Davis will get a chance to work with the frame of a towering lineman that can add another 25 pounds while maintaining his athleticism. Davis also gives Maryland’s class what the fans have asked for months—size in the trenches. Though Maryland’s offensive line for the upcoming season is largely set with former Elon lineman Michael Purcell joining the program, Davis helps restock a room that could lose both DJ Glaze and Gottlieb Ayedze next fall. Maryland will look for more juice in the trenches with Central Dauphin (PA) offensive tackle Anthony Robsock on campus for his official visit, a target the staff has chipped away at ahead of last weekend’s offer. After a pair of trips to campus, first for camp then an unofficial, William Penn (PA) offensive tackle Michael McMonigle has the Terps high on his board and could emerge from his official visit next weekend with a clear leader. Cy Falls (TX) offensive tackle Samir Camacho is on campus for his official visit as safeties coach Zac Spavital has led the way, Pallotti (MD) offensive tackle Ryan Howerton is set to officially visit Maryland the weekend of June 16 while Ashbrook (NC) offensive tackle Trent Mitchell will be on campus the weekend of June 23. Maryland is also still in the mix for Loyola Blakefield (MD) interior lineman Trevor Szymanski, but with five seniors along the offensive line along with redshirt junior DJ Glaze heading into 2023, the need this cycle sits at tackle with a realistic chance for Maryland to solidify the position over the next month. Related Links
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