Maryland makes top group for North Carolina tight end

Maryland finished as the runner-up for Havelock (NC) four-star tight end Javonte Vereen, but the staff made the cut for a second tight end target out of North Carolina who also happened to visit back in January.

Northern Guilford (NC) tight end Vance Bolyard announced a top six of Duke, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Rutgers on Wednesday morning. Tight end coach Mike Miller has led the way with Bolyard and brought the 6-foot-5, 215-pound prospect on campus back in January for his second trip to College Park.

“It was cool because it was individual, just us there so we got to watch some film, go get lunch, meet a lot of the coaches,” Bolyard said back on January 27. A return visit to Maryland has been discussed but is not set, however Bolyard clicked with Miller during their one-on-one time. “He’s younger. I can vibe with him and it feels like we’re more partners working together rather than the coaches kind of telling you what to do, if that makes sense.”

Bolyard first visited Maryland last September during the season-opening 34-28 win over West Virginia and took note of veteran tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, who is gradually ascending NFL Draft boards. “I remember Chig, the tight end did pretty good that game. I think he had the first touchdown of the game so that was pretty hype.”

Bolyard is not yet rated by On3 but drew a three-star and 85 overall rating from 247Sports.