Offensive tackle is a top priority for Maryland this cycle, but the need for an interior lineman was addressed early in the 2022 cycle after Malvern Prep (PA) three-star Coltin Deery joined the class. Though he’s visited Maryland in years prior, this past weekend marked the first time that the 6-foot-3, 275-pound center visited College Park as a committed prospect. After taking in a tour alongside running backs coach Elijah Brooks, the lead recruiter in his recruitment, Deery turned heads inside the Jones-Hill House with his workout.
“I was walking, toured. It was me and coach [Elijah] Brooks, my head coach and his son then I went to do my little photoshoot then had my workout with coach Braswell and then some of the coaches there then went up and talked to coach Locksley for about 20, 25 minutes,” Deery told Inside the Black & Gold. “I was excited with the workout, it was fun. It was tough but it was just a fun thing, kind of getting that mindset for college workouts. Like this is what it’ll be like.”
The workout reinforced Maryland’s confidence that they’ve found a long-term answer in their center verbal, but for Deery, he enjoyed a one-on-one workout with offensive line coach Brian Braswell. “It was awesome being able to go down there, meet everyone and get excited to get ready to go. They told me I did really well, really good. I had a good workout I felt like. I’m never satisfied so just want to keep working, get better, keep doing those workouts with coach [Brian] Braswell.” Deery ended his visit with a lengthy conversation with head coach Mike Locksley. “We had a nice long talk. Definitely went good, got to talk about some things.”
Deery will return to Maryland next weekend with his family for a second unofficial visit, but the new indoor facility was enough to catch his eye during his first tour. “Come on. It’s second-to-none. It’s unbelievable,” Deery added. “That weight room is insane like it’s my dream weight room looking at it. It’s insane.”
The latest visit also reaffirmed his commitment from nearly the moment he stepped onto campus. While schools have shown interest in the committed three-star, Deery explained why he has no second guess. “I kind of shut it all down. My coach has said there have been schools, he hasn’t said which but I told him I’m locked in on Maryland. I’m not going anywhere else.” The curiosity of which schools are showing interest is a normal reaction, but even still, Deery isn’t wavering. “Sometimes it’s like I wonder what schools there are, but it doesn’t really matter at this point after this weekend. It kind of secured the deal for me.”
He recounted the moment when he knew he was all-in on his pledge.
“Right when I walked in, everybody walked in and surrounded me, I got to say hi to everyone then during my workout with coach Braswell, I really liked the way he taught. He’s a good one so I’m excited.”
Deery is rated a three-star prospect and an 85 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the 47th-best interior lineman.