Maryland in top group for local four-star James Pace

Ahmed Ghafir
5 minutes ago
1 min read

Maryland is in the final group for the top uncommitted in-state prospect with official visit season nearing.

DeMatha (MD) four-star James Pace, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound edge rusher, included Maryland in his top five on Tuesday night alongside Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Pace is days removed from returning to College Park for the Spring Showcase on Saturday while Auburn was the lone school to host him alongside Maryland this month, vaulting them into the top group. Both Alabama and Syracuse were two schools previously in the mix with an official visit originally set to Syracuse, but it'll now be four other SEC suitors battling Maryland, who enters official visit season with ample optimism around their chances.

Maryland has made Pace a priority through his junior season into the offseason with head coach Mike Locksley, assistant Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, defensive coordinator Ted Monachino and defensive analyst David Brownlee all spearheading efforts. Pace has made his way to campus for multiple visits since the start of his junior season with no school hosting him more than Maryland in his recruitment.

Pace is currently on track to close out his official visit schedule with a trip to Maryland beginning June 19 with a commitment expected to materialize this summer ahead of his junior season.

Pace was a force during DeMatha's undefeated 2025 season after finishing with 14 sacks and being named WCAC Co-Defensive Player of Year.

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