Monroe (NC) four-star wide receiver Shaleak Knotts is the top wide receiver on Maryland’s board as he made his way through College Park on Friday for his first unofficial in over a year. The mere ability to visit a school was an aspect Knotts didn’t overlook as he’s appreciative the time for visits has finally come.
“It was fun. I haven’t gotten that opportunity in a long time,” he told Inside the Black & Gold. The Terps have gone all out for the 6-foot-2, 175-pound receiver since the spring as the entire offensive staff has made Knotts a priority. It helped that the four-star was on campus for the first day that the Jones-Hill House was unveiled.
“I like the coaches and the new facility because they just revealed it the same day we got there. It’s real nice and the coaches, they keep it 100 with you. It’s really the whole staff.” In addition to spending time with the coaches, Knotts added he spent ample time with senior wide receiver Brian Cobbs as he has a comprehensive understanding of the program and fit.
“To me, it helps a lot because like I said, a lot of schools don’t talk to me like they have. They keep it real with you, they don’t tell me what I want to hear but everything they gave me was good. And what they do off the field, that’s big.” Wide receiver coach Zohn Burden has been able to build a good rapport. “It’s been good. We talk every now and then but we’ve got a real good relationship.”
Knotts had the best conversation with head coach Mike Locksley, he added. “That’s the man right there. He keeps it real. He just tells me about life, really. Not even about life, it’s bigger than football. Maryland as a school, they told me about what I can do there, things after football, what I can do during the season, and everything they have planned.”
The visit improved the Terps’ chances as they remain entrenched in his top group. “The coaching staff and the school itself, it’s second to none.”
Knotts is a four-star prospect and a 94 overall according to 247Sports, sitting as the third-best prospect in North Carolina and the nation’s 12th-best wide receiver.