Maryland football has landed arguably its biggest commitment of the 2025 recruiting cycle as blue-chip offensive lineman Jaylen Gilchrist committed to Maryland over his remaining finalists — South Carolina and Georgia.
Gilchrist, a 6-foot-5 lineman out of Salem (VA), becomes the highest-rated pledge in the Terps’ current class and highest-rated offensive lineman who has committed to Maryland since Damian Prince — another Mike Locksley recruit — committed in the 2014 class. The four-star becomes the latest domino in Maryland’s summer recruiting surge as head coach Mike Locksley and his staff watch their 2025 haul inch closer toward a consensus top-20 class.
The four-star tackle emerged as the top offensive line target of the cycle as running backs coach Latrell Scott paved the way from start to finish, first bringing Gilchrist to campus for a home game last September to entrench the Terps in his top group. Assistant Brian Braswell teamed up with Scott heading into the spring though South Carolina held the buzz throughout much of his recruitment as the Gamecocks were the first school to host him for an official visit, weeks after Gilchrist admitted they were his top school heading into his three scheduled June visits.
The four-star lineman also made his way to Georgia for his mid-June official visit as the Bulldogs emerged as a viable contender, but Maryland rolled out the red carpet for their top target during his official visit beginning June 21 and confidence never wavered in the Terps’ chances since. With a collective staff effort to break into the 757 to land its top talent, four-star quarterback Malik Washington and four-star running back Iverson Howard — both currently committed to Maryland — were able to build on a relationship that was strengthened during their official visit to help peer recruit and aid the close.
“Coach Scott and coach Locks, coach Braswell. That’s the trio. It’s gotten to the point where, yes they’re coaches, but I’m at the point where I don’t even have to look at them as coaches but as mentors. I value that because football, it’s not life, it’s temporary,” Gilchrist told IBG.
The commitment of Gilchrist also gives Maryland a notable recruiting win in Virginia and especially the 757, an area that Locksley has worked hard to break into as Latrell Scott spearheads efforts. Maryland will look to maintain momentum on the trail with Virginia four-star safety Messiah Delhomme inching closer toward a decision, another top target for Latrell Scott.
Jaylen Gilchrist becomes the 21st overall commit and fourth offensive lineman in Maryland’s 2025 class, joining offensive tackles Ben Beymer and Lamar Williams along with Milford Mill (MD) interior lineman Amory Hills. He is rated a four-star prospect and 92 overall by On3, checking in as the nation’s sixth-best interior offensive lineman in the 2025 class.
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