Maryland football "checked a lot of my boxes" for portal DB Gavin Edwards

Ahmed Ghafir
Apr 29
3 min read

After making the decision to transfer from North Greenville to Austin Peay during the winter portal window, defensive back Gavin Edwards saw his recruitment skyrocket after reentering the portal back in mid-April.

It didn’t take long for Edwards to draw interest from all across Power Four football with Houston, Syracuse and Duke among the long list of schools to extend offers. But it was clear he had a general preference on where he wanted to end up.

“I knew I was a Big Ten-caliber player and that’s where I wanted to play,” Edwards told IBG.

“I feel like it’s obliged. We have Power Four conferences but it’s really Power Two – SEC and the Big Ten. The last couple national champions have come out both of them. I think the last one was Clemson so the caliber of competition.”

That materialized into a top three: Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State.

The Spartans were first to host Edwards on a one-day official, proving to be the top competition to Maryland, before trekking to Iowa for a quick tour. Then came Maryland where he arrived on campus late Friday before spending Saturday and Sunday in College Park, but how he kicked off his Maryland trip left an impression.

“I’m actually a big Ravens fan. The coaching staff at Maryland set up a tour of the stadium and locker room so it was really cool,” Edwards said.

Then came time in College Park where he got a closer look at campus and facilities with College Park buzzing on Maryland Day.

“I really got to get a feel for the environment and community. It wasn’t just the coaches, but getting out and seeing the fans and stadium so that was really nice.”

Defensive assistant Nick Newsome drove the Terps’ initial portal pursuit before Edwards got a chance to sit down with safeties coach James Thomas for a one-on-one.

“He seemed like a very genuine guy. Nick Newsome too. Between those two, I felt I’m in good hands,” Edwards said.

“We sat down and played some of my good plays, my highlights to see what the thought process. Got to show some of my football IQ and progression on things. Then I went through what they expect and their play progression and how they want me to adapt.”

Edwards’ experience sits as a safety where he's totaled 29 tackles and six pass deflections in eight games across two seasons, including a redshirt in 2023. That’s also where he expects to play in College Park though he knows he offers versatility in the secondary.

“They told me they have a lot of guys in the safety room who are converted corners or at the nickel position, there’s flexibility. I’d have no problem getting some flexibility and getting to adapt to the nickel position because I pride myself on having a football IQ and learning every position, not just looking at myself.”

Edwards also said he “made it a point” to spend one-on-one time with defensive coordinator Ted Monachino. “We were on a time constraint but I made sure to sit down with him, see where his head was and the system he plans on running here,” he added.

By Saturday night, Edwards was down to a final two of Maryland and Michigan State with full expectation a decision would be solidified within 24 hours. After reconnecting with the staff once more, Edwards knew the visit would merely mark the first time he’d be in College Park.

“It was really a lot of factors. I felt like Maryland checked a lot of my boxes. I’m a big man of faith so I went back to the room, prayed over it and it just felt right. Sometimes you don’t want to drag on an opportunity. Some things are too good to be true but some things are just waiting for you, so I just went ahead. I talked to some of the Michigan State and Iowa coaches, they were really respectful but I told them Maryland is my home,” Edwards told IBG.

“It's a beautiful process. It’s a blessing. Not a lot of people are able to do what I did – fly from Michigan State to Iowa to Maryland. A lot of people don’t get to do that, but I’m glad it’s over.”

Edwards joins the program with three years of eligibility remaining.

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