WR Na'eem Gladding explains commitment after "one and done" visit to Maryland

Ahmed Ghafir
4 days ago
4 min read

Maryland was able to kick off its portal pursuit this offseason after landing running back Trequan Jones out of Old Dominion, giving the offense an experienced big-play back to upgrade the weapons around quarterback Malik Washington in 2026. But with three receivers departing, the wide receiver room was among the top priorities this offseason with a need to add veteran experience under offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.

While Maryland was involved with Jones after entering the portal in late December, they were also in the mix for one of his available teammates, wide receiver Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver drew several Power Four schools with other visits in mind, but all it took was the first one to solidify his decision.

“It was one and done,” Gladding told IBG.

After appearing in eight games and drawing one start with limited production as a freshman, Gladding became part of one of the nation’s most underrated wide receiver rooms alongside Tre Brown - now an LSU portal addition - and Ja’Corey Thomas, who is fielding several Power Four suitors across the Big 12 and SEC.

Gladding had his own interest with a school from the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC all involved.

“I was thinking about Oklahoma, Oklahoma State. I was considering Wisconsin too because my quarterback went out there but after being in Maryland for a bit, them showing me around, showing what they showed me, I made my decision pretty fast.”

Assistant Latrell Scott spearheaded Maryland’s portal pursuit of the rising junior.

“He reached out to my guy and really they’ve been showing me I’m a top priority from the get-go,” Gladding said. “Throughout the whole portal process, they’ve been very adamant that they reach out to me and show me how much I’m cared for over there. When I went out there to visit, it kind of further supported that and made it kind of easier to make a decision.”

There was also another familiar face who stayed in touch with Gladding during the process: Tai Felton, who overlapped with Gladding at Stone Bridge High School (VA).

“He was a little bit older than me but we’ve spent a lot of time together and we’ve been knowing each other for like eight, nine years now,” he added. “We definitely were keeping in touch and talking about everything because we kind of had an idea beforehand.”

The New York native arrived in College Park on Sunday and departed on Monday where he dove into his need in the offense, watching film to see how his production as a Monarch translates to his fit as a Terp. Gladding spent 80% of his snaps as a slot receiver in 2025 where he’ll fill that role at Maryland with the program’s development at the position a key selling point.

“Their receiver development. In the past, guys like Stefon Diggs, DJ Moore, Tai Felton - who I’m very close with, actually. Just seeing how they put their receivers in positions to win just kind of showed me like okay. And showing me how I’d be incorporated into the offense. That made it easier as well like okay, I know what I’d do and how I’d produce for these guys. It just helped make my case stronger.”

Gladding also saw the appeal as a receiver in Mike Locksley’s offense.

“The ability to get their guys the ball in space and different concepts as well, showing defenses different looks. Finding ways to get their guys the ball and get them fed, that’s what stands out. I can have just transparent routes throughout the whole game, guys are going to switch it up and do mesh routes, different concepts that expose you and showcase your ability. That stood out to me the most.”

The chance to play with his teammate once again served as the cherry on top.

“We’re on the same page with everything. I kind of let him know beforehand when he was on his visit that I’m actually really considering coming to the university. With that, he was like ‘bet let’s run it back’ and committed. I went out there to see how everything is going and it was just history from there.”

The experienced receiver also joins the room coming off a productive 2025 campaign that ended in an All-Sun Belt honorable mention selection, finishing with 667 yards and six touchdowns on 51 catches and 88 targets. He also notched three or more catches through his first eight games and in ten of Old Dominion’s 13 games, while accounting for just two drops on the season.

“I would definitely say run after the catch ability, catching in traffic, just leadership as a whole, bringing the guys together and bringing a winning culture to ODU,” Gladding said about his sophomore season.

The mid-year enrollees are expected to report on Jan. 19 ahead of the start of second semester the following week, but Gladding will look to arrive on campus before then.

“I’m going to try to get in a little bit earlier so I can start establishing myself before the date so when [move-in date] gets here I can hit the ground running.”

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