Four-star RB Impressed with Return to College Park

June was a busy month for 2023 four-star running back Sedrick Irvin Jr. as he took in several unofficial visits throughout the country. As Irvin and his family trekked through Stanford, Notre Dame, Florida, and Oregon, an unofficial visit to Maryland back on June 12 was an easier trip to schedule as the 5-foot-11 189-pound tailback made a trip to the ‘hometown’ school.

“I’m from Maryland so it’s kind of like the hometown school but coach [Mike] Locksley, he’s doing a great thing there and I can tell the direction that they’re moving in is something I can see myself being a part of,” Irvin told Inside the Black and Gold. Irvin moved from Maryland to Florida just four years ago, but current Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught his eye at an early age as he acclimated himself to the Terps. “I’m a huge Stefon Diggs fan so I always watched as a kid.” Now a target in the Terps’ 2023 class, Irvin recalled his trip to Maryland as he saw the new indoor facility and connected with lead recruiter Elijah Brooks.

“It was obviously the first time I got a chance to talk with them and got a chance to talk with Coach Brooks a bit. He’s a great coach, he really knows what he’s talking about. It was great seeing the new facilities and the coaches, they all have really great energy so you can tell they’re pumped up for the season.”

Irvin has focused on enjoying the early stages of his recruitment but as he and his family have taken a proactive approach to recruiting, the family has kept an eye on each family’s culture. “I want to play early but the biggest thing is the locker room energy. I’m big on brotherhood, being on a team where you get that strong sense so that’s really important to me.”

But now visits are behind Irvin for the remainder of summer as he prepares for the start of preseason practice, which kicks off on August 2. When the fall season kicks off, he’ll look to visit three schools. “I think I’m trying to plan something for Penn State and I wasn’t able to get up to either Michigan State or Michigan so trying to go see them.” The Spartans being in line for a visit makes sense as Sedrick Irvin, his father, played for Michigan State in the 1990s before embarking on his six-year career in the NFL. Now, Irvin Jr. will look to follow in his father’s footsteps as he set lofty goals for his junior season.

“As far as goals, I always have a goal set. Last year I averaged 6.9 per carry so this year I want 7, 7.5 [yards per carry] and finish the year with no fumbles. I’ve done that the past two years but this year, I’ve worked on being a better receiving back,” he added. “I would say that I’m a one-cut back. As soon as I hit it, I’m ready to go. I’m a guy who can make people miss. I can break a lot of tackles.”

Irvin is rated a four-star prospect and a 90 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the nation’s eighth-best running back and 44th-best prospect in Florida.