Maryland football to host portal linebacker next week

Ahmed Ghafir
4 days ago
1 min read

With spring ball already complete and the next wave of freshmen set to enroll in College Park next month, Maryland football will host a portal target next week.

A source confirmed that VMI linebacker Stephen Dean III will visit Maryland beginning Monday, marking the lone visit set for the veteran portal target.

Dean, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound inside linebacker, is in the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining.

After appearing in 11 games through his first two seasons, including three appearances during the 2022 season to preserve his redshirt, Dean stepped into an impact role during the 2024 season where he started in ten games at inside linebacker where he totaled 43 tackles, including 19 solo. Dean then stepped into a captain role in 2025 where he started in all 12 games, totaling 117 tackles and nine TFLs. That includes 17 tackles against Chattanooga back on Oct. 4, one of four games with double digit tackles during his fourth season with the program.

Maryland saw one inside linebacker depart this offseason with Florida native Michael Harris sticking closer to home after transferring to USF, though inside linebacker coach Zac Spavital has experience to lean on in the room. Daniel Wingate returns after bypassing NFL and Power Four interest to anchor Maryland's front seven in 2026.. CJ Smith returns after playing in every game as a true freshman while Keyari James returned to practice after missing the 2025 season due to injury.

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