It’s been a hectic day in College Park with the early signing period kicking off a run of signees, both longtime pledges making it official along with longtime targets making their final decisions. There's also...a pretty big uncommitted target still out there. So, what to make? As always, Inside the Black and Gold has you covered as we dive into what could be Mike Locksley's most complete class to-date in College Park. Maryland signed its 21-man class on Wednesday afternoon before head coach Mike Locksley took the podium, but there’s one unsigned commit left: St. John’s (DC) three-star Shamar McIntosh. While the Cadets’ stance of players not signing during the early signing period was once preached—with exceptions—I’m hearing that’s actually not the case here with McIntosh needing to wrap up a few academic requirements, which are expected to be by the February signing period with minimal concern about his long-term status. Maryland saw two misses on the defensive side of the ball: CB Larry Tarver and LB Jeremiah Marcelin. Heading into the month, Maryland was fighting to hold onto Tarver before that concern died down heading into the final weekend, but the Huskers’ relentless push changed what many expected throughout—Tarver was unlikely to opt to live in Nebraska. Of course, the same feedback centered around Marcelin as, for months, intel continued to project Marcelin signing with anyone other than Pitt. Marcelin silently committed earlier in the season, but told IBG he had yet to make a final decision despite Brian Williams and Lance Thompson showing sincere interest nearly at every opportunity. Tarver’s ultimate signing wasn’t a surprise, but Marcelin’s was in talking to folks around College Park. Frankly, I'm not sure what more Maryland could've done, but nonetheless, a signing day miss. For the good news, Maryland was also able to pull off its big flip of the day with Braydon Lee announcing his flip from South Carolina to Maryland, where he’s set to join the team for bowl practices on Thursday. Lee’s commitment became official once mom signed off on the Terps, which was the biggest focus down the stretch, as Maryland was able to answer any and all concerns about Lee’s success while staying within the DMV. The concern was never about Big Ten vs. SEC, the prestige of Maryland vs. South Carolina—this was about Braydon’s mom making sure her son would be in good hands after going through a traumatic year. And led by cornerback coach Henry Baker, Maryland was able to get Lee in the fold while assistant Kevin Sumlin and head coach Mike Locksley chipped in to answer any and all questions by Lee’s mom heading into the official visit. “I’ll say it—it took some convincing because I thought the better opportunity for Braydon to develop was away from home. Because he’s been here pretty much all of his life,” Lee’s mom told IBG following Lee’s flip. “He saw the vision, coach Locksley said he has that grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe. He’s seen it with the talent that they’ve put into the draft at Braydon’s position. So to see it in real life, to hear it and then develop those same relationships that I was also able to develop at some of these other programs, just really kind of solidified it. And I always said it was Braydon’s journey and I’ll support him 100%. It works out for me because I can get to every home game in about ten minutes. Very excited.” Speaking of Lee joining the team on Thursday, he won’t be the only one as I’ve previously reported CB Lloyd Irvin will head to campus as well, while IOL Logan Bennett and WR Mekhai White will also join the team with White headed to College Park later tonight. Of course, all will have to clear the necessary protocols in order to be full-go, but they’ll be able to begin practicing and enjoy the perks of the bowl game while being ineligible to play. Just like WR Ryan Manning did last year. Maryland was also able to add Good Counsel (MD) three-star cornerback Judah Jenkins—someone that the Good Counsel staff was openly advocating for, a prospect who wanted to play in College Park, and a player that head coach Mike Locksley and staff liked. I also wouldn’t completely chalk Jenkins up to someone who was a contingency plan to a possible Tarver flip, but Maryland was evaluating the local cornerback since he decommitted from Indiana back in early December. “Judah is one of those guys, man, that he is just a football player and I’ve had a chance to see him develop, being local and seeing his development from ninth grade on. People have a lot of respect for Andy Stefanelli and that Good Counsel staff. They do a tremendous job developing players, but I know he also trains here locally and he was a guy that wanted to be a Terp. I know when he committed to Indiana, we were kind of slow early on them, but when you watch the senior year and to see him continue to develop and get better, I mean, it’s hard to turn down good football players. And he’s one of those guys that has a skill set to be a corner, a star, a nickel, a slot nickel corner for us. I love his competitiveness. And just when you talk to Andy and the staff over there, I mean he was kind of the glue of that team. And so to have an opportunity and the way recruiting works now, it’s not a science to it, but we’ve known about him. We knew a lot about him. We had an opportunity. It’s a lot like the NFL Draft where you got best available on the board and he was definitely one of the best available and a guy that we felt really strongly about. So I’m really glad that this materialized for us because we got ourselves a really good football player on the defense side of the ball.” Good Counsel head coach Andy Stefanelli told IBG that he actually kept Maryland’s late pursuit a surprise from Jenkins, an opportunity that came to fruition early this week before pouncing on it on Wednesday morning. He’ll enroll in June. In the trenches, Maryland has a number of portal options they’re working on and I still love where Maryland is well-positioned for Georgia IOL Aliou Bah, who I’m hearing “absolutely” could challenge for one of the starting guard spot. As for D2 tackle and Penn State verbal Alan Herron, Maryland is surging in this recruitment as I'm hearing both concern that Penn State can hang on, along with growing confidence that the Terps will pull off the flip. With that, I now expect the portal lineman to ultimately flip to Maryland as the Terps work to iron out the starting offensive line. The timeline for Herron is murky with transfer portal targets not tied to the early signing window, but he’s close as Maryland is now in a position to pull off the Big Ten following the late weekend official visit. Arkansas verbal Keyshawn Blackstock remains hot and cold, with mom the one who's seemingly in Maryland’s corner, but there’s no telling which way that’ll go and I’m not holding my breath just yet on the second round of the pursuit. And of course, the big fish: Jordan Seaton Heading into the final hours of day one of the early signing period, exactly when Seaton pulls the trigger remains to be seen as his camp is bunkering down in decision mode down the stretch. Based on a few conversations I’ve had this afternoon, the two schools I’m hearing most are clear: Colorado and Maryland. There’s been quiet, yet steady confidence in Maryland’s chances coming out of the weekend and I’ve heard that Seaton has been transparent with Maryland down the stretch. I’ve heard Colorado is trying to entice the blue-chip prospect between NIL and becoming a part of Deion Sanders’ brand, but Seaton isn’t a prospect who needs to be part of someone else’s brand. I’ve said it a few times, but even with the craziness of the early signing window, confidence hasn’t wavered heading into Wednesday evening regarding Jordan Seaton as head coach Mike Locksley continues to run point in this recruitment. Related Links Maryland flips South Carolina pledge Braydon Lee on signing dayMaryland adds local cornerback Judah Jenkins on signing dayLogan Bennett signs with Maryland, breaks down decisionEarly signing period: Maryland football looks to close ’24 recruiting cycle with a bangSt. Frances OL Logan Bennett breaks down signing with Maryland
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