Maryland is rolling through the month of June as the staff will welcome their largest official visit weekend of the month. We delve into who is making it to campus and where the Terps stand in the respective recruitments, starting with the four-star prospect.
Manchester (VA) four-star RB Ramon Brown
Schools involved: Maryland, Penn State, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, West Virginia
Where Brown stands: Penn State did well with the four-star back during his official visit last weekend, giving the Nittany Lions the sense they can reel him in. But Penn State is in the mix for a handful of targets as they remain patient, which helps Maryland, who thanks to running backs coach Elijah Brooks has great relationships with Brown and around his camp. Maryland has done well recruiting him to this point as Brown remains a focus at the position and though not a dire need, Brown would give the Terps’ offense an every-down back that can catch well out of the backfield. South Carolina is a dark horse to keep an eye on, West Virginia did set the bar early to kick off his official visits while the Hokies are working to remain a viable long-term contender. Big visit with a type of back that Maryland would love to add.
St. Frances (MD) three-star OT Jude Bowry
Schools Involved: Maryland, Boston College, Old Dominion
Where Bowry stands: Boston College had their chance to leave a lasting impression on Jude Bowry last week and all accounts point to the Eagles giving the Terps a run for their money. But this weekend, Bowry will now head to College Park where Maryland has a multitude of relationships to cement themselves as the clear team-to-beat for the towering prospect. I like Maryland’s chances a bit more than Boston College heading into this weekend and could see Bowry accelerating his timeline coming out of June.
Tampa Bay Tech (FL) three-star WR Greg Gaines
Schools involved: Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State, Maryland
Where Gaines stands: Maryland made a surge in May to secure a June official visit from the Florida speedster. Gaines’ official to Iowa State is already behind him but the Cyclones only reinforced their edge heading into the rest of the month. Indiana is a sleeper contender but Maryland has done well to build relationships with Gaines and his family thanks to the staff connections around Gaines. A pair of virtual visits with Gaines family and coaches made the visit possible, showing how the three-star receiver could thrive in the passing attack under Locksley and Enos. Gaines’ great 6-foot-2 frame and track speed stick out and his strong academics helps cement his name on the board.
Jesuit (TX) three-star OT Matt Craycraft
Schools involved: Duke, Maryland, SMU
Where Craycraft stands: Thanks to consistent contact from offensive line coach Brian Braswell and a strong virtual visit in the spring, the interest between Maryland and Craycraft grew heading into the weekend as the tackle target will make his long-awaited trip to College Park. Duke stuck out to Craycraft a week ago, but the Terps are in a position to edge the Blue Devils like it’s Greivis Vasquez’s senior night. Tackle remains arguably the top positional need for Maryland to close the 2022 cycle and Craycraft has long been on the target list as the staff leaves no stone unturned.
Cherokee Trail (CO) three-star OT Travis Gray
Schools involved: Maryland, Arizona, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, Florida State
Where Gray stands: Gray saw his stock rise this spring after impressing in the camp circuit through the spring into June. Maryland was in attendance at the Sunshine Showcase Mega Camp in early June to catch Gray, a standout at the camp, as more Power Five programs monitor the Colorado lineman. But it’s still two schools that stick out above the rest as Arizona and Maryland look to jockey for the top spot. Gray had his spring unofficial visits to both Arizona and Maryland cut short, so Wildcats capitalized and cemented their lead on Gray’s first extended trip. Now it’s Maryland’s turn as offensive line coach Brian Braswell has done well to teach Gray more about the school, program, and need for tackles this cycle.
DeMatha (MD) four-star S KJ Winston
Schools involved: Notre Dame, Maryland, Penn State, Michigan State, Oklahoma
Where Winston stands: A big upcoming weekend for Winston and the Terps as he returns to campus yet again this month. The vibe is the Nittany Lions really impressed Winston last weekend and leveraged their DMV presence on the roster to cement their spot in the top group. In regards to Maryland’s chances, Notre Dame and Penn State were already ahead of the Terps in the chase for Winston but safety remains a key need this cycle. There remains buzz that Winston could keep his recruitment open heading into the fall to use his fifth and final official visit, so we’ll see what his renewed timeline is coming out of this weekend. With Antonio Kite no longer visiting and Covil, already a longshot, off the board to Clemson, Winston becomes a bigger focus this cycle.
Dacula (GA) three-star LB Kyle Efford
Schools involved: Maryland, Purdue, Georgia Tech
Where Efford stands: Efford isn’t as dire of a target following Caleb Wheatland’s commitment on Thursday but the Georgia product will make the trip up to College Park this weekend after inside linebackers coach Brawley Evans offered the 6-foot-2, 225-pound prospect last month. Efford’s knowledge about the program is limited heading into the visit, but Purdue played host to Efford last weekend as they’re also battling in-state Georgia Tech.
Ocoee (FL) three-star DT Jordan Phillips
Schools involved: Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Georgia
Where Phillips stands: A big week for Phillips after he added offers from Florida and Ole Miss, one week after nabbing an offer from the Vols. Defensive line coach Brian Williams leaned on his extensive Florida ties to reel in Phillips for a visit as the Terps remain selective for quality talent along the defensive line, likely taking one more inside. Michigan had the early buzz for Phillips but have faded as the latest intel points to the SEC allure catching Phillips’ attention. This weekend, the Terps will be able to point to the Florida talent within the program as reason why to remain a viable landing spot.
Note: Anniston (AL) three-star safety Antonio Kite was originally scheduled to officially visit Maryland but will no longer follow through with the visit. Kite was removed from the hot board this week.