Maryland hosted a small crew of official visitors last weekend, but it proved to be productive one as former Oklahoma kicker Gavin Marshall and Mervo (MD) three-star wide receiver Justin DeVaughn announced their decision to join the program. All eyes remain on Spalding (MD) three-star CB Jayden Shipps heading into the weekend, but coach Mike Locksley and his staff will look to add to the 2025 class as they welcome the second batch of official visitors this weekend with a chance to make a move on a handful of out-of-state targets. We dive into the latest names expected on campus: Starting with local targets, Maryland enters the weekend as the team to beat for Calvert Hall TE JT Taggart with an official visit to Colorado set for the weekend of June 21 with West Virginia involved. There are questions about how close Taggart could be to a decision with Taggart himself saying that a fall commitment on the table, though there’s room to change that heading into the weekend. Brian Braswell has led the way as the area recruiter while Kevin Sumlin’s relationship with both Taggart and his dad are key as Maryland works to point to the potential that the long, 6-foot-6 tight end can tap into in Mike Locksley’s offense. Pitt and Notre Dame have ramped up their pursuit with Riverdale Baptist DT Nahsir Taylor, who has become a familiar face in College Park with Aazaar Abdul-Rahim leading the way while defensive GA David Brownlee chips in on the Terps’ recruiting efforts. The relationship has mainly been between Abdul-Rahim and Taylor, though, and this weekend will be critical for the in-state lineman to build a relationship with Brian Williams. Taylor's mom has also built a strong rapport with the staff and is high on the idea of Taylor staying local as this weekend gives Maryland a chance to entrench themselves as a viable landing spot. Maryland is the main school involved with Lakeland (FL) OT Ben Beymer with Kevin Sumlin leading the charge, while new assistant Damian Wroblewski has added to recruiting efforts. Maryland would love to add Beymer's type of size to their tackle room with the Florida lineman checking in at 6-foot-8, 285-pounds, giving them a tackle frame that is currently missing from the room. UCF, Texas A&M, Syracuse and Duke are among the schools who have been involved with Beymer through the spring but the Florida tackle is one to keep tabs on heading into the weekend. He won’t be the only Florida tackle on campus as Gadsden County (FL) OT Lamar Williams makes his first visit to campus, but he has plenty of familiarity with Maryland. Brian Williams has made himself a consistent presence with Williams dating back to the first day coaches could reach out to 2025 prospects, but BWill has also built a strong relationship with Lamar’s mom through the recruiting process. After committing to in-state Miami (FL) back in January, the three-star reopened his recruitment this spring as Maryland stayed in contention, but frankly, the Terps had been in communication with the out-of-state target before, during and after his verbal as this weekend gives the 6-foot-5, 271-pound lineman a chance to see campus for the first time. Ahead of his first of three OVs, Maryland made the final three for Chaminade-Madonna (FL) DT Donta Simpson with a Maryland-West Virginia battle brewing into June. Brian Williams has made Simpson a focus through the cycle after watching him as a junior, then again during the contact period in spring ball with the Terps a consistent contender. Simpson made his way to College Park for the spring game to give him more familiarity about the program, while former teammate and second-year OL Deandre Duffus gives the three-star another connection to the program. Hun School (NJ) QB Jack Moran will also make a return visit to Maryland this weekend with the Terps on potential commitment watch. Spalding (MD) fringe four-star Malik Washington has and will continue to be the top target at the position after a collective staff effort spanning nearly nine months culminates with his late June official visit. As for Moran, he picked up an offer from OC Josh Gattis during last year’s camp and Maryland has been the main Power Four school in the mix with an official visit to East Carolina on the table. With Josh Gattis leading the charge, Moran’s size and potential as a 6-foot-5 quarterback, along with possible attrition at the position following the 2024 season, makes two quarterbacks this cycle a strong possibility depending on how Moran’s 48 hours on campus goes. Monsignor Bonner (PA) three-star wide receiver Jalil Hall is also expected to arrive on campus for his official visit, a notable development in his recruitment. West Virginia is considered a top contender in his recruitment as the Mountaineers hosted him last weekend, though whether Hall ultimately ventured on another visit alters West Virginia's pursuit as their staff pushes for other targets to fill their receiver void. That's a good development for Maryland, though, as offensive coordinator Josh Gattis leads the way on the towering 6-foot-3 wideout. Syracuse is another top contender in his recruitment while Rutgers and Duke round out his top five ahead of his June 29 commitment. The newest addition to this weekend’s visitor list: Avon Old Farms (CT) defensive lineman Dante Recker, who is set to kick off the first of three visits with a trip to College Park on Thursday before visiting Rice and Virginia. Recker, a 6-foot-5.5, 255-pound lineman, picked up the offer after visiting for a spring practice as Zac Spavital, Brian Williams and defensive GA David Brownlee lead the way for Maryland. The Terps enter the weekend ahead of both schools, though a commitment may not come to fruition this weekend. Maryland will also welcome a pair of commits to campus as Miami Edison (FL) CB Jett White returns to campus for his second visit since the coaching shakeup at his position, while two-sport verbal and DeMatha (MD) RB Bud Coombs will get a chance to reconnect with both the football and baseball staffs this weekend. Related Links
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