Moments before Maryland basketball’s tipoff, Maryland football got a big boost on the recruiting trail from Hickory (NC) four-star athlete Rico Walker. If you’ve been following IBG for the last month, you’ve known Walker has been a prime name to know for Maryland’s 2023 recruiting class. Now, we break down how it happened, what it means and what’s next with less than one week to go until signing day. How it happened…ever since Gary Wortham Jr. surfaced as a likely addition to the staff back in early summer, Maryland quietly became a player in the four-star’s recruitment. With wide receiver coach Gunter Brewer leading the way for the 6-foot-3, 234-pound athlete, Maryland was able to bring him in for a mid-June official visit that elevated their standing. In fact, even when other overwhelmingly believed that North Carolina was in the distant lead, it was Maryland who finished a close second in a recruitment that featured Tennessee, Florida and Auburn. Maryland stayed in pursuit of Walker following his summer commitment and after Gary Wortham Jr. joined the program as an analyst, the Terps quietly became the school in position for a flip. UNC and Walker parted ways in November, but Kentucky and Florida made a late push while Nebraska sent multiple assistants to check in on the four-star to try and alter his recruitment. Walker took an official visit to Kentucky over the weekend, but it didn’t matter. Walker visited Maryland for the Ohio State game and arrived on campus on the afternoon of November 18. By the end of the night, Walker gave his verbal commitment to the staff. Walker stayed through the weekend, just like NC State verbal Tamarcus Cooley (unofficial) and Tennessee verbal Cam Seldon (official) did during that 48-hour span. The initial plan was to announce that Sunday. Last week, Walker also Facetimed head coach Mike Locksley to reiterate he’s 100% locked in with Maryland. With receiver coach Gunter Brewer expected to check in on Walker on Thursday, confidence remained high this week that Walker was locked in even in a week where there have been all sorts of twists and turns. Walker planned to announce his commitment at 8 PM on Wednesday but went public moments before tipoff of the basketball game. What it means…Walker’s commitment gives Maryland what could be the start of a national signing day spree. Initially expected to be an outside linebacker, tight end was the first position that Walker was targeted for with former position coach Mike Miller showing the four-star film of the offense during his official visit. Walker himself has a desire to play on the offensive side of the ball, while his family recognizes the NFL potential should he play defense, but he joins the class with the athlete tag. Walker is expected to enroll in January and while he could see specific packages on offense, something that head coach Mike Locksley proved this season he isn’t afraid to do if a player ends up playing both ways, Walker fits in best as an outside linebacker and has an opportunity to become an instant impact. Maryland has a dire need at the position to secure edge rushers and his slender yet explosiveness at 6-foot-3 coupled with his length makes him an ideal outside linebacker. What’s next…could Maryland go 2-for-2 in North Carolina? That’s a possibility with NC State verbal Tamarcus Cooley still heavily in the mix after an extended unofficial last month and an official visit this past weekend. Maryland will also check in with Cooley possibly on Thursday, but as far as other targets at edge, the staff will welcome one target this weekend. Wilde Lake (MD) outside linebacker Dylan Gooden is expected to officially visit this weekend. Maryland wouldn’t bring someone in for an official who isn’t, but Gooden does remain a take for the staff as they monitor his academic situation. The expectation is that Gooden will sign in February and should everything check out, there remains a realistic chance that Maryland is the spot. Gooden’s split from Good Counsel didn’t exactly end on good terms, but he’ll now get a chance to play basketball for Wilde Lake while taking care of his outstanding academic requirements. The Harris twins, currently committed to UCF, remain viable flip targets as Maryland was in to see them on Wednesday as the staff will work on them until NSD. Andrew Harris would fit that mold while Mike would be an inside guy. Related Links Kevin Willard reviews Maryland's loss to UCLA Four-star ATH Rico Walker commits to Maryland Locksley talks Taulia’s plans, bowl prep, young playmakers VIP: four-star update, former ACC safety, upcoming visitors (+) VIP: Good roster news (+) VIP: roster note, portal frenzy for Maryland football (+) WR Rakim Jarrett opts out, declares for 2023 NFL Draft Four-star forward returning to College Park (+)
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