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Intel: pieces coming together in Maryland's defensive recruiting in 2025 class

Writer's picture: Ahmed GhafirAhmed Ghafir

Maryland has been able to add ample talent to its 2025 class on the offensive side of the ball and now, blue-chip offensive lineman Jaylen Gilchrist, who was bouncing between an early August decision, is set to announce his decision on August 3 among a final three of Maryland, Georgia and South Carolina. But what about Maryland’s efforts on the defensive side of the ball? We take a look at where things stand. Maryland already has six commitments along the defensive line with four-star DT Bryce Jenkins and three-star DE Nahsir Taylor expected to enroll in January while Avon Old Farms (CT) DE Dante Recker is a strong possibility to do so, as well. While Jenkins offers positional versatility and is receptive to flipping to the offensive side of the ball, his potential impact along the defensive line coupled with early development gives confidence that he can materialize into the dominant interior defensive lineman that many tabbed him to be when he began his career at DeMatha. Just like Malik Washington was for the QB position and just like Jaylen Gilchrist is for the OL, Jenkins is the big-time domino along the defensive line this cycle as assistant Aazaar Abdul-Rahim led the way to hold off Tennessee with South Carolina and Rutgers heavily in the mix. The big development in the trenches is the now looming decision from Calvert Hall (MD) DT Asaiah-Allan Hamond, who holds a long list of Power Four offers and interest but has made it clear he wants to suit up with his brother – Alijah Hamond – in college. The duo took their official visit to College Park the third weekend of June as the Terps were able to generate good momentum in their recruitments, checking off the boxes off the field with the twins and his family while highlighting the need at the position. While his family was adamant about not rushing a decision despite a stellar official to Maryland, their pause in a decision was partly tied to a potential camp at South Carolina following the dead period to give the Gamecock staff a chance to watch Alijah in-person, but that might not come to fruition with one source adding a decision could come as soon as within the next week, but by the end of July at the latest. Maryland was able to reconfirm their offer to Asaiah-Allan on the day they offered Alijah as co-DC Brian Williams and OLB/ST coach James Thomas team up to lead the way on the in-state duo. The chance to play alongside more local talent, especially a high school teammate in TE JT Taggart, is the cherry on top of the Terps’ pursuit. Maryland had also been keeping tabs on Paint Branch (MD) three-star Yvan Kemajou through the spring, though the expectation heading into the summer was that his recruitment would continue into the fall despite a flurry of official visits and Power Four schools looking for answers with spots only open for so long. Penn State and Virginia Tech continue to bounce around with the aspiring engineering major while he took OVs to Rutgers, Duke and Indiana as well, but I don’t expect Maryland to be under consideration if the local lineman pivots into a summer decision. Meanwhile, a source told IBG that Wake Forest pledge Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala is keeping his recruitment slightly open with more visits on the table in the fall despite his pledge. Maryland already has a pair of inside linebackers in the fold in Travares Daniels and CJ Smith, while in-state linebacker Sidney Stewart followed through on the home team to become the first outside linebacker commit. They aren’t done at the position with Florida linebacker Kellen Wiley, who officially visited the third weekend of June, still an active target for Maryland. Wiley followed up his Maryland official with a trip to Bowling Green, though that’s not a testament to his talent level – the Falcons jumped into the picture before several Power Four schools jumped into the mix as Wiley held himself to follow through on set plans to visit. The underrated prospect, who some inside the building view as one of the most underrated prospects in the Sunshine State this cycle, is expected to take his recruitment into the fall with Florida State involved in his recruitment in addition to Syracuse, Indiana and Michigan State. North Carolina became the latest school to jump into the picture on Thursday. Maryland reeled in Spalding (MD) DB Jayden Shipps in late June, announcing nearly one month exactly after he told the staff his plans, as the in-state pledge offers versatility as a nickel corner or safety – where he’s expected to suit up as a senior. While Florida cornerback Jett White remains verbally committed in the class, Maryland made the final three for four-star Blake Woodby and continue to be the one to challenge Auburn the most down the stretch, but the buzz still sits with the Tigers to pull out the recruiting win. A source added Woodby remains patient with the recruiting process after backing off his Buckeye pledge roughly two months ago. And while four-star Zymear Smith, who is closing in on a decision within the coming days, is a candidate to join the class as a receiver in addition to a potential open as a returner, the chance for the priority target to flip back to defense remains on the table heading into his senior season. The safety board is where things have changed the most through July. Blue-chip safety Messiah Delhomme has been quiet since his final official visit to Maryland, where there’s continued confidence around the Terps’ chances. The Dante Trader Jr. replacement opened up around the coaches and players and felt comfortable through his official visit, giving Maryland a chance to roll out the red carpet for its top target. Coordinator of player personnel Marcus Thomas has been active with Delhomme since the fall while assistant Latrell Scott is paving the way on a collective staff effort with continued confidence on Maryland’s chances heading into mid-July. Virginia Tech is still viewed as the top competition with both schools jockeying for position, though the Terps hold a slight edge depending who you talk to, with Ohio State still the wildcard. Delhomme isn’t the only safety target on the board with Alijah Hamond closing in on a decision, high on the chance to suit up with his brother with the home team a school he’s been high on well before he picked up the offer. Maryland also remains in the mix for Highland Springs (VA) three-star Brennan Johnson with confidence in their chances, though the Hokies remain the top threat in his recruitment with South Carolina showing interest through the month. What Johnson’s ultimate commitment timeframe materializes into remains to be seen with a summer commitment on the table, though still not yet finalized. Related Links

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