VIP: Latest Buzz on Maryland Football Recruiting Heading in Early NSD
- Ahmed Ghafir
- Dec 20, 2022
- 4 min read
One more day. The twists and turns have started with now two announcements on deck for Tuesday, first for Andrew Rumph (12 PM) then Tosin Babalade (7 PM). Delving into the latest buzz surrounding the sprint to the early signing period.
Closing Time
DeMatha (MD) four-star OT Oluwatosin Babalade: Maryland had all the buzz in the days after Tree’s decommitment from South Carolina. I’ve still heard folks say Maryland heading into Monday afternoon and with that, I haven’t moved from my hot board change last week, but digging into South Carolina buzz. Maryland has been working just as hard on Tree as they have on Harbor in the final days leading into early NSD.
Lake Brantley (FL) four-star Andrew Harris & Michael Harris: the Arkansas buzz has been debunked. This isn’t 100% done, but trending towards Maryland with OLB coach James Thomas and DC Brian Williams paving the way.
Miami SAF Avantae Williams: Maryland is in an excellent position for the Miami safety heading into the end of 2022. Timing remains the only thing unclear, but I love where the Terps sit.
WVU WR Kaden Prather: similar to Williams, I love where the Terps sit with the former four-star receiver. I don’t expect Prather to prolong his recruitment into the January open period.
Roseville (NC) three-star Tamarcus Cooley (NC State verbal): Cooley is facing a bit of backlash locally for potentially spurning the Wolfpack, but even still, that hasn’t deterred his decision heading into the final day.
LSU OT Marcus Dumervil: Maryland emerged as the team to beat after the weekend and after the former four-star prospect connected with head coach Mike Locksley on Monday morning, I love where the Terps sit in his recruitment with a decision potentially coming this week.
Palmetto (FL) three-star DL Andrew Rumph: the Florida defensive lineman will make his commitment at 12 PM on Tuesday and there’s buzz that Maryland could be the pick. UCF is the other top contender, while Miami made the top four once again and UAB replaced Indiana. ILB coach Lance Thompson leading here.
Union County DL Markus Strong: Maryland and Oklahoma have battled it out and while confidence sits high with the Sooners, I’m hearing that word is trickling back to the staff that Strong has the Terps ahead of the Sooners with an all-out effort expected on Tuesday. Expect DC Brian Williams and SAF coach Wes Neighbors to hop back on the phone with him on Tuesday.
Battle
Alabama OT Amari Kight: after going in-home last week, Maryland is expected to host Kight for a January official visit with several schools in the mix. Auburn should be viewed as the team to beat, but Kight isn’t in a rush to make a decision which benefits the Terps.
Good Counsel (MD) DE Neeo Avery (Ole Miss verbal): hang onto your hats. Maryland has stayed in contact with the local four-star and extended an intriguing PWO offer to North County (MD) ATH Ibrahim Barry, a close friend of Avery’s. Barry tells IBG he still plans to sign with the Dukes this week, but the Terps aren’t out of the mix just yet.
Jones (FL) four-star OLB Malik Bryant: Maryland worked on this one last week, but by the end of the week confidence wasn’t high. It’s an uphill battle, but the Terps are chipping away once more on the four-star prospect with a pair of teammates—Derrick Rogers and Dylan Wade—locked in with the Terps.
IMG Academy (MD) DE/OLB Cameron Lenhardt: I like where Nebraska sits for the former Huskers pledge as Maryland is working to change his mind in the final hours.
Longshot
Northumberland (VA) four-star Cam Seldon (Tennessee verbal): Maryland has been chipping away at the Virginia standout throughout the recruitment process, but confidence isn’t high that they’ll be able to pry him away from the Vols. Seldon has been in daily contact with the staff just like he was prior to his verbal, but barring a change of heart, the four-star is likely Knoxville-bound.
SFA (MD) RB Durell Robinson: Robinson will announce his commitment on January 3 and I don’t expect the Terps to be in the mix. Maryland has one spot available at running back and Nolan Ray fills that void. Robinson visited for a pair of games this fall and his name surfaced through the recruiting process, but unless Mike Locksley changes his mind and adds another to a potentially five-man room, it’s unlikely the St. Frances product lands in College Park.
Stanford OT Walter Rouse: he checks into longshot category because the staff will work on him. The plan remains for the staff to check in with Rouse this week in an effort to bring the impact-tackle to College Park for a January official. The problem is there’s already an established group of schools already in the mix as over twenty schools reached out to the Sidwell Friends (DC) product. Rouse took an official visit to Auburn this past weekend and has one year of eligibility remaining.
February
Archbishop Carroll (DC) five-star Nyckoles Harbor: Status quo after Monday’s visit after three visits this month, Maryland holds the edge over Michigan and South Carolina as, led by Elijah Brooks, the staff is putting the full-court press on the local phenom. Maryland has the support of his parents, especially dad, while the fit and development plan on offense have been well established. Harbor has a pair of official visits available after opting against an official to Georgia this past weekend, but the Terps will need to play the long game with head coach Mike Locksley still set to go in-home in January to close. Harbor did, however, have his video recapping his official visit to Maryland drop on Monday.
https://twitter.com/ghafirtheturtle/status/1605027404610781185
Dundalk (MD) four-star OT Chimdy Onoh: after decommitting from Old Dominion late last week, Maryland extended Onoh an offer in the hours leading up to the start of his official visit to Rutgers. Onoh announced plans to sign in February after stating he’s back on the market, but after schools like Ole Miss and Penn State jumped into the mix, he could opt to stay patient and use the dead period to iron out his future visit schedule.
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