UCF DL Derrick LeBlanc on Maryland pledge: "better opportunity in a better conference"

Ahmed Ghafir
5 hours ago
2 min read

The start of the offseason for Maryland football was highlighted by the need to retain its freshmen class, including quarterback Malik Washington paired with edge rushers Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart. With all three back in the fold and five-star Zion Elee set to enroll in six days, restocking the interior defensive line was a focus during the portal window.

Lavon Johnson served as the latest piece after announcing his return to the program after one season at Texas, giving the trenches an experienced piece to add to the rotation alongside Bryce Jenkins. Johnson would serve as the second of two commitments along the defensive line, though, after Maryland reeled in UCF defensive tackle Derrick LeBlanc. But it was a school that LeBlanc was already familiar with.

“Everybody else, I wasn’t trying to do all that traveling anyways,” LeBlanc said of outside interest.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Florida native visited Maryland out of Osceola High School for an unofficial visit before shifting attention elsewhere, eventually committing to Oklahoma over Florida and Penn State then transferring to UCF after spending spring practice with the Sooners. But the relationship between LeBlanc and Maryland extended beyond football thanks to safeties coach James Thomas, who spearheaded the portal pursuit.

“I’ve known him for a long time. It’s deeper than football with him,” LeBlanc told IBG. “We’re all from the same area so whenever I worked out we’d always be around each other honestly.”

Several Power Four schools worked to get into the mix after electing to enter the transfer portal back on Dec. 15, but LeBlanc set and followed through on just one visit with a midweek visit to Maryland setting the stage for his commitment by Friday morning.

“I’ve seen it before, so this time I was just ready. Just seeing it all before I was like, this is time,” LeBlanc added.

After playing one game in 2023 then redshirting in 2024, LeBlanc stepped up into an impact role for the Knights after finishing with 13 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks in eight games in 2025 while lining up as a defensive tackle in over 88% of his reps. After spending time with defensive line assistant David Brownlee during the visit to dive into his fit and need in College Park, LeBlanc pointed to the elevated opportunity at Maryland.

“The way they used me and a better opportunity in a better conference. Just the opportunity to come in and make plays,” he added.

LeBlanc, son of Jaguars assistant defensive line coach Derrick LeBlanc, also got a chance to meet head coach Mike Locksley.

“He’s a legit dude, very stand up guy, very transparent and told me get ready to come in and work.”

LeBlanc is expected to join the rest of the high school early enrollees and transfer portal commits on campus when they enroll next Monday, Jan. 19 with two years of eligibility remaining.

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