With the second week of the staff on the recruiting trail, Maryland was fanned throughout their recruiting base once again with inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson down in Georgia. Maryland was able to see a long list of 2025 and 2026 targets as they put their boards together, but one target the staff was able to check on is Kell (GA) three-star linebacker Justin Logan, who visited for a game last fall and has maintained contact with the staff. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis made the trip to New Jersey where he represented the Terps at The Hun’s showcase. That led to an offer for Theo Bachelder, a new 6-foot-7 tackle target who I expect to make an eventual trip to Maryland. Gattis also got a chance to watch 6-foot-4 QB Miles O’Neill as he’ll likely visit with Bachelder down the line as becomes a backup name to know on the board.
One target that I’m hearing that Maryland is out for is Salem (VA) outside linebacker Chris Cole, while I expect Maryland to make the top group for Flowers (MD) three-star linebacker Kendric Council in the coming weeks as he’s firmly on the inside linebacker board.
One target that has set plans to visit and has become a very familiar face in College Park is Evans (FL) four-star safety Brandon Jacob, who has an official visit date.
Jacob will officially visit Maryland the weekend of June 16, he confirmed with IBG. The 6-foot-2, 171-pound safety has been to campus on at least five occasions dating back to last fall where he watched the Rutgers game and most recently as the spring game two weeks ago. Alabama, Miami and Texas A&M have all established themselves as players but the big factor here is simple: outside linebacker coach James Thomas.
The strong relationship that Thomas has around and with Jacob and the consistency throughout the pursuit has made Maryland a prime contender, and depending on who you ask, the team to beat. Maryland brought in three safeties in the 2023 cycle but with the safety room in line for a unit overhaul with Beau Brade and Dante Trader stepping into veteran roles this upcoming season, Jacob is being recruited as the future replacement as the staff works the close. Maryland was also in Florida late last week where they were able to trek through Evans with Jacob eyeing more summer visits.
Elsewhere, the portal remains a top focus with the offensive line the undoubted top priority. Maryland remains involved with former ECU guard Nishad Strother as they work to close one of two starting spots along the offensive line, but the race has thickened with several blue bloods, notably LSU, now in pursuit. It isn’t the first time that Maryland has been in position to land an experienced lineman out of the portal before the big boys derailed those plans, but the staff will look to turn the tide to address their biggest question for the 2023 season.Related Links