The latest VIP notes coming out of a busy weekend in College Park: Maryland wrapped up its first official visit weekend with three visitors on Saturday morning, a weekend that couldn’t have gone better any better for head coach Mike Locksley and his staff. Former Oklahoma kicker Gavin Marshall arrived on Thursday with his parents where he got a chance to meet with academics before diving into the potential starting role in College Park, rolling out the red carpet for the top kicker target this spring. While Marshall drew SEC interest, Maryland was the only school that he was willing to listen out to thanks to his relationships stemming from high school and heading into the week, the Terps have a great shot to flip the Vanderbilt pledge with steady confidence through the visit. With special teams a focus this offseason, a potential flip from Marshall coupled with the addition of former Notre Dame specialist Bryce McFerson upgrades the ceiling in the room. But the first announcement from the weekend? Mervo WR Justin Devaughn, who pivoted in the 24 hours after his official visit. Led by OC Josh Gattis, Maryland rolled out the red carpet for Devaughn and his parents as they pointed to his potential impact in Locksley’s offense with his elite speed making him a perfect fit as a potential Tai Felton replacement. The academic presentation checked the box for his parents while Devaughn was able to meet with track and field head coach Andrew Valmon, giving the green light on the chance to become a two-sport athlete. With the Terps entrenched as a top contender coming out of the weekend as the Terps worked to keep the local speedster home, it took a Facetime with head coach Mike Locksley on Sunday morning to get him into the fold with his upcoming official visit to Minnesota now cancelled. Could Maryland go 3-for-3 this weekend? It’s a very likely scenario to open June as Maryland remains well-positioned with Spalding (MD) three-star cornerback Jayden Shipps entering the week. The Terps’ ascension through the fall helped entrench them as a top contender this spring, but this weekend gave Shipps a chance to reconnect with ample familiar faces with a comfortable feeling throughout his official visit. A source close to Shipps’ recruitment told IBG that the in-state cornerback was “90%” decided heading into the week as Maryland capitalized on the chance to roll out the red carpet. With ample confidence surrounding the Terps’ chances coming out of the weekend, the biggest unanswered question is an updated commitment timeframe. That could come as early as this week while Shipps himself gave a two-week commitment timeframe. NC State has been the Terps’ biggest competition with tentative plans to visit Raleigh next weekend, while both Indiana and Wisconsin remain involved, but the overwhelming vibe coming out of the weekend is it'd be an upset if Maryland doesn’t win out. Now, co-DC Brian Williams will look to secure his fourth Spalding pledge in as many cycles. Elsewhere this weekend, Carolina Prospects took home the first 7-on-7 championship of June with Good Counsel, Gonzaga, Pallotti and Highland Springs were among the teams in attendance with newly-enrolled QB Khristian Martin supporting his guys throughout the day. Maryland also extended a pair of offers to underclassmen with NFL bloodlines – ‘26 Myers Park (NC) Camdin Portis, the son of former Washington RB Clinton Portis; and ‘27 Charlotte Latin (NC) LB Steele Fletcher, the son of former Washington LB London Fletcher. This marked the second time Portis has been in College Park after visiting for the Indiana game last fall. While Tuesday’s 7-on-7 tournament will also bring in a host of regional teams with Quince Orchard among those confirmed, Maryland’s Big Man camp and QB camp also brought in elite talent in the 2026 class and beyond. Seminole (FL) three-star quarterback Michael Clayton was among the top performers before walking away with an offer and as a name to know on the 2026 board, while Bishop McNamara QB “TJ” Johnson and Concordia Prep QB Justin Dixon emerged as early names to know in the 2027 cycle. The WCAC was also well represented at the Big Man camp with both Good Counsel’s and DeMatha’s underclassmen flashing including ‘27 GC edge Anthony Sweeney and ‘26 OL Falou Gueye, along with ‘25 Spalding DL Delmar White and ‘26 Gonzaga LB Tyson Harley. While he didn’t camp this weekend and no offer has been extended as of Sunday evening, Green Run (VA) edge Zeke Chinwike could materialize into a viable target heading into the rest of the month after making his way to campus and measuring in at 6-foot-5.75, 240-pounds. “It was actually amazing. The recruiting assistants were really cooperative and amazing all around. The coaches were 10/10. I could see myself coming back for an OV 100%,” he told IBG. Moving forward, Maryland will turn to a bigger crew of official visitors next weekend with visits again expected to run Thursday to Saturday as they look to stack momentum through the month. While Maryland will look to capitalize on the local talent and make moves with TE JT Taggart and DL Nahsir Taylor, the Terps will also welcome a pair of Florida targets to campus: DT Donta Simpson and OT Lamar Williams. Simpson, who we profiled on Sunday, has been a consistent target for co-DC Brian Williams through his junior season before watching the 6-foot-3, 285-pound lineman during the eval period. With West Virginia as the primary competition, Simpson gives the Terps a viable chance to keep the Florida pipeline in the ’25 cycle. As for Williams, this weekend will mark his first visit to campus as Williams also leads the way there, but the efforts with mom haven’t gone unnoticed before, during and after the three-star committed to Miami (FL). Related Links Mervo WR Justin Devaughn shuts recruitment down, commits to MarylandFlorida DL Donta Simpson ready for return visit to MarylandSpalding CB Jayden Shipps recaps official visit to MarylandMervo WR Justin Devaughn recaps Maryland official, message from Olympic star
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