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Writer's pictureAhmed Ghafir
Jul 15

Intel: rumblings from MIAA powerhouse on Maryland verbal, targets

I heard that Maryland pledge JT Taggart had a very productive outing at Towson’s 7-on-7 tournament this past weekend. It’s natural to flash as a receiving threat in these settings while there’s still ample room to grow as a blocking TE, but Taggart’s reps this weekend give him a chance to get comfortable in a role he’ll likely see more time playing this year. It sounds like Calvert Hall has a handful of emerging underclassmen waiting to step up within the offense, and with the offense still a work in progress, Taggart will flex out more as a receiver than tight end this fall to become an outside mismatch. At just over 6-foot-7.5 and 229-pounds with a near 82-inch wingspan, Taggart is wrapping up a strong offseason and has generated buzz as a potential difference-maker this fall – and as a potential versatile piece at the next level. Taggart is expected to arrive next June, but he’s shown all the traits this offseason of becoming a productive P4 tight end to give the Terps an athlete with a different type of frame than what’s currently in the room. Taggart was also cited as one of the vocal leaders heading into the fall, an area he pointed to as a work-in-progress this offseason. On the flip side of the ball, I could see ‘26 fringe four-star Chris Hewitt getting recruited more as a cornerback than wide receiver at the next level with his recruitment beginning to come into focus. While Maryland has remained in contact over the last month, Hewitt tells me he’ll head to Minnesota and Rutgers following the dead period with some early buzz around the Scarlet Knights. Hewitt’s father, who played three seasons for the Saints before shifting into coaching and settling in as the Ravens’ new associate head coach, coached at Rutgers during the final eight years during Greg Schiano’s first stint with the program. As for the Hamond twins, multiple contacts tell IBG that the buzz heavily sits with Maryland heading into the rest of the month while South Carolina remains unlikely, but on the table. Asaiah Allan-Hamond told IBG that the Gamecocks are still targeting for the duo to make their way down to Columbia for Alijah to workout in front of the staff, though there’s buzz that visit might not come to fruition. While the Gamecocks eye Alijah as an outside linebacker, which is where he’ll suit up as a senior, he’s on Maryland’s board as a safety target. While the advice to the twin targets has been ‘go where you’re wanted,’ it’s clear that there’s one school that’s elevated itself from the pack: Maryland. “Honestly they’re really high on my list right now. They’ve reached out to me the most out of any school so far,” Asaiah added. “Getting a chance to sit down with coach Locks, that was really helpful. I hadn’t gotten a chance to do that before so just talking to him was probably the highlight. It was definitely a good experience. I got to meet all the staff complete this time and I think interacting with the players and coaches opened up a few things I hadn’t seen before.” While Asaiah added a commitment date remains “wait and see,” local contacts told IBG that the duo look to be committed by the end of July at the latest. JT Taggart is rated a three-star prospect and an 87 overall by On3. Chris Hewitt is rated a three-star prospect and an 88 overall by On3. Asaiah Allan-Hamond is rated a three-star and an 86 overall by On3, while Alijah is not yet rated. Related Links

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