A surge in May put Maryland in the conversation for Tampa Bay Tech (FL) three-star wide receiver Greg Gaines and the staff made the most of his 48-hour stay over the weekend. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound receiver made the trip into College Park with his family as the highlight for him was spending time with the other visiting recruits alongside the staff and players.
“The highlight was probably during one of the dinners. It was recruits, parents, coaches, some players also. Then we went out on a boat, all had some good food and it was just a good time,” Gaines told Inside the Black & Gold. “Really just a good family atmosphere.” Though they did not know each other heading into the weekend, Fort Myers native and Maryland receiver Jeshaun Jones hosted Gaines as the two quickly built a relationship. Even though Jones was recruited by former assistant Chris Beatty during the DJ Durkin era, Jones told Gaines about why the program still fits what he’s wanted.
“He gave me an overview of what made him pick it. Like that family bond, he felt like that was a goo place for him. Even though he got there before Locksley got there, just that atmosphere that made him pick Maryland.” Afterwards, Gaines got a chance to delve into his fit in Maryland’s offense as he and receivers coach Zohn Burden got a chance to know each other better. “We had a little meeting of how I can fit in and what Maryland was about. That was a pretty good viewing for me, me and coach Zohn were in there but that was really for coach Zohn and my dad know how I fit in. It was pretty much a one-on-one with coach Zohn,” Gaines added. “That was really good. He noticed a couple things that I’ve noticed lately football wise that I’m getting better. He’s really big on technique, the technical things and one thing he said if I were to go there, he said I’d do a lot of technique.”
Gaines closed his official out with a lengthy conversation with head coach Mike Locksley as the genuine relationship beamed through the room. “ That was a pretty good talk. He pretty much came to us man-to-man, not really wanting to recruit. He told me how he does a lot of mental things, the things that happened through his life and with his kid, he wants to make sure his players are good.” With three officials down and one more to go, Gaines stayed true to his plan as he and his family look to take all their trips before analyzing each suitor. Locksley brought up the possibility of committing during the trip, according to Gaines, making it known that the Florida speedster is a priority.
“He wanted me or wanted me to but he didn’t push too much like he wanted me to take the rest of my visits and go from there. He gave a reference to musical chairs, how every school is like a musical chair but when that music stops, you’ve got to find a chair,” Gaines joked. What was the biggest takeaway from the Terps’ staff?
“They’re real family-oriented. They try and bring everyone together. That’s probably the biggest thing I noticed from when I first got there and based on how they’re recruiting. They were a late offer but they always made sure I was good, asked my coaches about things and how my family is doing. I definitely noticed that.”
Gaines has already taken official visits to Kansas State, Maryland, and Iowa State and will head to Indiana this weekend for his fourth official visit. According to Gaines, he’ll begin analyzing his suitors at the end of his fourth official visit.
Gaines is rated a three-star prospect and an 89 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the 42nd-best prospect in Florida.
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