Zion Elee leads multiple local Maryland signees in postseason accolades

Ahmed Ghafir
5 hours ago
3 min read

In what should be the final accolade of his high school career, St. Frances five-star and Maryland signee Zion Elee was named the Baltimore Sun 2025 All-Metro Player of the Year.

While the accolades and attention have been consistent, it also marks the latest testament to his ascension after first breaking out during his junior season at Joppatowne (MD).

Elee was a key part of a St. Frances team that finished 9-1 as the defense allowed just 8.7 points per game through 2025. Elee added 72 tackles, 20 TFLs, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns as a senior while also lining up as a running back, punt returner and kick returner at times during the Panthers' blowout wins.

With a sub-4.5 40-time with an 80-inch wingspan, his natural athleticism was a big reason why Elee blossomed into a coveted recruit and debuted as the nation's top overall prospect before spurning blue blood interest, commtting to Maryland almost a full year before putting pen to paper. Auburn, Penn State, South Carolina and Texas were among the schools who worked to change his mind at various points after Elee announced his commitment to Maryland, but the relationship between he and head coach Mike Locksley was going to be tough for any other school to replicate with the Terps also proving they're competitive with the blue bloods on the business side.

“Me and coach Locks, we have a tight relationship. Really just built from us being from the same area. Me being able to talk to him on a different type of level because he can relate to me because he’s from the same area, it just means a lot. I stuck who I’m close to,” Elee told IBG after signing.

Elee will now head to College Park on Jan. 19 not only as the highest-rated signee in program history, but as one of multiple pieces in the Terps' 2026 pass rush after edge Zahir Mathis officially announced his return on Christmas Day with all eyes on Sidney Stewart down the stretch.

Elee wasn't the only Terp recognized by the Baltimore Sun with Spalding DB Sean Johnson also named a First Team selection after adding 65 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, eight pass breakups, two quarterback hits and one blocked field goal attempt, ending his high school career as a four-time MIAA champion.

Johnson was also a First Team All-Met selection by the Washington Post alongside St. Albans (DC) defensive back Zahir Cobb, while St. James (VA) wide receiver Josiah Teasley and Gonzaga (DC) tight end Brayden Marko earning Second Team All-Met recognition. Teasley joins Elee as January enrollees, while Johnson, Cobb and Marko will enroll next June.

While Cobb's spring commitment was fueled by his family's relationship with assistant Aazaar Abdul-Rahim given he and Cobb's father went to school together, the Terps landed its first commitment out of Gonzaga since Johnny Jordan committed as part of the 2017 class though DD Holmes transferred into the program last offseason. Teasley, meanwhile, was one of several flips to close the 2026 cycle for Maryland after kicking off the day by flipping his pledge from Virginia to Maryland.

“I was just surprised how much they threw the ball. They weren’t really good on completing some of them but the play calling, being able to throw the ball like that, the scheme, I feel like it fits me especially and I’ll have a lot of chances to go out and make plays if you give me that many touches,” Teasley said after his official visit.

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