ESPN ranks Maryland football's incoming 2025 class among best in the country

Ahmed Ghafir
May 12
3 min read

Whether it be from the high school or transfer portal route, Maryland football will have several new faces stepping into prominent roles in 2025. Factoring in both high school and portal commits, ESPN ranked Maryland's incoming group of additions as the 20th-best class in college football and sixth-best in the Big Ten behind Oregon (1), Ohio State (7), Michigan (9), Nebraska (17) and Indiana (18).

High school: Maryland kept its best talent home, signing one of its strongest recent classes by winning key DMV-area recruiting battles. Gilchrest and Washington lead the way. An in-state ESPN 300 quarterback, Washington has a big arm and dynamic mobility. He fits well in offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton's scheme, and he arrives with swagger and confidence, although Maryland won't need to rush him given his upside. Gilchrist is powerful enough to provide depth inside along the offensive line, particularly as a run blocker, but he could help at tackle as well if he continues to develop his feet.

On defense, Jenkins is a massive interior lineman out of Washington, D.C., who eats up blocks and holds his ground at the point of attack but also plays with deceptive quickness to disrupt. He should provide quality snaps at nose guard.

Portal: Martin didn't win the job this spring, but his experience as a starter at UCLA and his strong physical skill set will be valuable until Washington is ready to take the reins. Farooq (Oklahoma) returns home after an up-and-down career in Norman. He racked up 694 receiving yards and 15.4 yards per catch two years ago. When healthy, he's a versatile playmaker who can move the chains after the catch and produce in the return game. Fleming (Georgia State) had a breakout season in 2024 and should upgrade tight end for the Terps in 2025 with his size and strength. On defense, Glasker (Wake Forest) and Joyner (Arkansas State) are improvements on the perimeter.

The reality? The newcomers will play a big role in the Terps’ success this fall. Maryland’s portal additions have stepped into impact roles with Glasker and Joyner leading the top of the cornerback room to add confidence in the expected starting tandem. While his production may have been limited in the spring game, all the reviews surrounding former Georgia State TE Dorian Fleming has pegged him as a playmaker in the Terps’ 2025 offense. Jalil Farooq, who missed spring ball as he inches back to full strength ahead of fall camp, joins Kaleb Webb as wide receiver transfers expected to join returning vet Octavian Smith as leaders in a revamped unit. Rahtrel Perry, meanwhile, has made the case to take over Andre Roye’s spot as a clear upgrade at left tackle while NT Eyan Thomas may prove to be the best of the bunch along the defensive line so far.

The only question is, what about the high school side? Running back Iverson Howard, DL Sidney Stewart, DL Bryce Jenkins and LB CJ Smith have flashed through spring ball while OT Jaylen Gilchrist has made the early, yet strong case for early playing time at a position of need.

The biggest domino is who fills the shoes at quarterback with UCLA transfer Justyn Martin, former blue-chip quarterback Malik Washington and second-year QB Khristian Martin battling it out. Head coach Mike Locksley was quick to note the competition is “obviously ongoing” with the battle continuing into fall camp. Khristian Martin led the way in the room with 269 passing yards at the spring game while Justyn Martin, reunited with assistant QBs coach Ted White, was credited with his “acclimation to our system,” as Locksley noted.

Whether Malik Washington ends up winning the job is the biggest question after long being viewed as the next face of the program. Locksley previously pointed to his experience starting freshmen quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts as reason why Malik Washington’s freshman status won’t be a deterrent in the race.

“I think the thing that really stands out is the maturity that he shows. Due to, even though he has a lack of experience in our system, he doesn't have a lack of experience in managing a team, managing offenses, building. He did a tremendous job as a guy at Archbishop Spalding and elevating that program and I've seen him come in here and have a be really comfortable with being able to come in and pick up the things that we've asked him to do and looking forward to see his progress over the course of the next two to three months.”

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