Neeo Avery plans to re-enroll at Maryland following football retirement

Ahmed Ghafir
3 days ago
2 min read

Maryland football could add another to its coaching staff this fall with a former player eyeing a return to College Park.

Former Maryland linebacker Neeo Avery told The Baltimore Sun that he plans to re-enroll at the University of Maryland for the upcoming fall semester with hopes of returning to the football program as a student assistant. It was a move facilitated by head coach Mike Locksley, years after doing similar with former signee Tre Smith, who also served as a student assistant in the program.

Yet it will also be a move that adds support for Avery despite previously transferring out of the program just months ago. Avery, a former four-star out of Good Counsel, initially announced his transfer to South Dakota State for the upcoming 2026 season, but those plans were derailed after announcing his multiple sclerosis diagnosis while retiring from college football. Avery admitted that "it was a pride thing" when opting to first keep his diagnosis private, but that became secondary once his retirement became official.

Locksley told The Baltimore Sun that he reached out to Avery after learning of the news.

“I called up Neeo and was like, ‘What happened? What’s going on? Why didn’t you tell me?’ I was disappointed to find out from social media that he had something as serious as MS,” Locksley said.

Avery revealed that his health changed while back at home during Christmas break after he lost feeling in the left side of his face, leading him to being admitted to Montgomery Hospital where he underwent three MRIs and two CT tests over the next five days before being diagnosed with MS. Avery also underwent his first Ocrevus infusion treatment in January, which he will take every six months for the rest of his life.

Avery was also joined by friends and family to participate in an MS Walk at Howard Community College in May.

“There’s been nothing but love and support from Coach Locks and the whole staff since they found out about my situation,” Avery told The Baltimore Sun. “I definitely want to get involved with the football program in some capacity so I can be as close to the game as possible. Maybe I can find another way that football can help me.”

In three seasons at Maryland including a redshirt in 2023, Avery recorded five tackles and two TFLs while appearing in 15 games.

“These are the people that have been there for Neeo for the last three years. They have already been through ups and downs together and formed a bond,” Jamie Wood said. “That support is genuine and will help him through one of the most difficult times of his life. Because once the season begins, it is going to really hit home that playing football is no longer part of his journey.”

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