Maryland kept its recruiting momentum rolling into the weekend as Highland Springs (VA) three-star quarterback Khristian Martin announced his commitment, opting for the Terps over in-state Virginia. Martin’s recruitment ends a longtime pursuit from Maryland to add a quarterback this cycle and after making him a familiar face on campus through the spring into summer, the dual-threat quarterback has zero doubt why the Terps won out. https://twitter.com/CBS6SportsSean/status/1685828654146760705 “Maryland was my second offer, freshman summer going into sophomore year, so I’ve had a relationship with coach Locksley the whole time,” Martin told IBG. “Kyle Edwards, he’s been on the staff since I got my offer. Coach Scott coming onto the staff, somebody that I know my coach trusts, I trust. Coach Gattis great, he has the resume and everywhere coach Locksley, coach Gattis have been, they’ve had productive quarterbacks, winners. Not only that, the mentorship program, and the connections he can give you in the professional world, for life after football is something you can’t really explain but it’ll put you so far ahead in life because the degree is a connection rather than a piece of paper.” Martin took an official visit to Virginia the second weekend of June before returning to Maryland for his official visit the weekend of June 23. It didn’t take much longer until Martin silently pulled the trigger on a decision. “I called him maybe two or three weeks ago,” Martin added. “I gave coach Locks a call.” But it was Latrell Scott, Maryland’s new running back coach, who paved the way with Martin and the respect he’s garnered throughout Virginia played a prominent role down the stretch. “I’d say I always had a heavy interest in Maryland, but I can say with coach Scott being there, it’s kind of like reputation-wise, coach Scott is good. When he came on staff, that’s like a ‘this makes sense’ and coach Scott will continue to recruit the 804. He’s a guy that’s trusted in my area. Nobody has anything bad to say about him. When all you keep hearing is positive things about your area recruiter, all you hear is good things about your position coach and head coach, getting a feel for the school and everybody in the building, it just made sense.” Martin will enroll in College Park next fall where he envisions a smooth transition into the offense after diving into the film with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. “I feel like it’ll be a very smooth transition. On my official visit, obviously everything is more complex at the college level, but coach Gattis showed the difference from my high school system and film compared to theirs. There are similarities, things I’ll be able to pick up quickly. There will be some things I don’t pick up quickly and will be new but not everything will be foreign. Just the different criteria for and coach Locks, it made sense for them like it made sense for me.” Martin has also shifted into a recruiter for Maryland as the staff closes in on its top targets with senior seasons around the corner. “I’ve been talking to different guys that the coaches communicated are target guys. Not as much on social media being I just committed myself but just guys different things, seeing where their heads are at.” With his recruitment now complete, Martin is “excited” to shift gears knowing his future in College Park is set with his senior season now ahead of him. Martin threw for over 2,300 yards and accounted for 43 total touchdowns to lead Highland Springs to an undefeated season and state championship as a junior. With Highland Springs set to begin fall camp on Monday, Martin has one goal in mind. “I’d say win a state championship and everything else will take care of itself. I definitely feel stronger, bigger, more intelligent and cleaned up some things, so I definitely feel I improved this offseason.” Martin is rated a three-star prospect and an 84 overall by On3, sitting as the 40th-best prospect in Virginia. Related Links Four questions to be answered during Maryland basketball's trip to Italy
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