Maryland remains in top group for local four-star target
- Ahmed Ghafir
- Sep 27, 2023
- 2 min read
After beginning his high school career at DeMatha then transferring to St. Frances (MD), 2025 four-star edge rusher Cortez Harris has now become a key piece for Riverdale Baptist as the 6-foot-4, 218-pound made the early season decision to transfer.
The local four-star has already been able to hit the ground running, already reaping the benefits of playing under former Georgia and NFL running back and head coach Olandis Gary. “I’ve just been working out I’m always trying to get better so I think I’ve seen some improvements,” Harris told IBG.
The local four-star has been able to flash the same speed and burst that turned heads while at DeMatha, a big reason why Harris begins the 2025 cycle as one of the more coveted local prospects. Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech have all extended Harris verbal offers, but it won’t be long until they find out whether they’re still in the picture.
Harris is planning to release his top group of schools in the coming weeks as he begins to narrow his focus heading into the offseason. The four-star admitted one school was sure to make the cut.
“Maryland’s going to make the cut, for sure,” Harris added.
“It’s home. Home always has to make the cut, but then again, Maryland has ballers. They have a good team, they’re having a great season so they definitely have to make it.” Inside linebackers coach Lance Thompson has been leading the way with the priority local target, while Harris has been able to build relationships with a pair of current assistants with WCAC ties in chief of staff Brian Griffin and director of recruiting ops Tommy Paolucci.
“We’ve talked about that a couple of times, just messing with each other about DeMatha and St. John’s,” Harris added. While Harris will look to make his way to campus for one of the upcoming Big Ten home games, he’s been able to keep up with the season and has watched the trenches develop under the guidance of Brian Williams. “I definitely tune in. The defensive line has been looking really good for them.”
Harris’s most recent visit came this past weekend when he paid the Nittany Lions a return visit to check out the White Out win vs. Iowa.
“It was a good environment, always good getting back there. The atmosphere was crazy for my first White Out.”
Harris is rated a four-star prospect and a 92 overall by On3, checking in as the second-best player in Maryland and 56th-best player in the nation.
