Tenn. DL Jayden Agberodiola cites relationship, mentorship program after committing to Maryland football

Ahmed Ghafir
3 minutes ago
2 min read

It’s been nearly 15 years since Maryland football landed a commitment out of Tennessee until linebacker ‘Duke’ Clark broke the streak fresh off his June 4 official visit, but that was the first of what was to come. For the first time since at least 2000, Maryland now has a pair of commitments out of Tennessee after three-star defensive lineman Jayden Agberodiola went public with his decision on Wednesday.

While the 6-foot-3, 340-pound interior lineman had a strong feeling that Maryland would be his ultimate landing spot even after his first official visit, his second visit to campus after first arriving for the Spring Showcase on April 25, Agberodiola stayed true to his plan and followed through on official visits to USF then Arkansas before shifting into decision mode.

“After the visit, it really started to click. I loved it. My parents loved it. I just still wanted to see [other schools] just in case. All the other schools were great, no problem whatsoever, but Maryland just felt like the best fit for me,” Agberodiola told IBG.

Once his third visit wrapped up the weekend of June 12, it didn’t take long until Maryland officially became the pick after Agberodiola gave the staff his pledge on Tuesday then announcing the following day.

“Coach [Mike] Locksley said he heard I had something to tell him so I told him I’m a Terp now. He told me it’s time to be great, a lot to look forward to in the years to come and it’s time to work,” he added.

Yet it would be defensive backs assistant Nick Newsome who led efforts throughout the pursuit to help grow Maryland’s recruiting footprint into his home state with two public commits to show for it so far. Agberodiola credited his relationship with Newsome after admitting he’s “locked in with me” after his official visit. The depth to their relationship mattered to Agberodiola, but so did the program’s programs that extend beyond the sport.

“It was more how they ran things. The environment was a big part, the relationships, the connections. The mentorship program was also a really big factor for me. That’s a really unique thing that coach Locksley has going on. That helped my decision,” Agberodiola added, a program that neither of his finalists offered.

Maryland also pointed to UCF transfer Derrick LeBlanc, who could blossom into a starter in 2026, as Agberodiola’s fit under defensive line coach Randy Starks while pointing back to the experience under coordinator Ted Monachino.

“It’s a lot of NFL experience and getting guys to the league. And especially with coach Monachino, he’s very well rounded with his NFL experience and who he’s worked with.”

As a junior at Rockvale High School, he recorded 35 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, three sacks, one forced fumble and one interception after transferring into the program ahead of the season. He’s currently expected to enroll in College Park in January.

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