Dunbar (MD) offensive tackle Josh Blackston has watched his recruitment soar in the spring after Ohio State extended an offer in the spring. Tennessee, Penn State and Virginia jumped in the picture since then but Maryland had a leg up recruiting the 6-foot-5, 280-pound tackle after Maryland became the first Power Five offer after Blackston’s junior season.
That early effort and consistency since then has put Maryland in Blackston’s top group as he approaches a top list.
“I’m looking forward to this summer coming in and once everything goes over, I’ll make my decision and it’ll be less stressful for me. I’m trying to trim to a top six, top seven,” Blackston told IBG.
One school safety in that top group is Maryland and the collective staff effort is a big reason for that. Assistant coach Lance Thompson was the one who extended the in-state projected three-star his offer while offensive line coach Brian Braswell has been able to build a relationship, but adding new assistant offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski gave Blackstock another familiar face in the pursuit.
“I just got off the phone with coach [Damian Wroblewski]. We were talking when he was at JMU but that was our first talk since he got to Maryland so that was good. He gives great advice and definitely great wisdom coming from a guy like him. I’ve talked to coach Braswell a bit too. It’s a mixture between those three.”
Blackstock was slated to visit for Saturday’s practice but “it was my grandpa’s birthday so I didn’t end up having a ride, so I’m finalizing my date. I’m talking about that with my parents [on Thursday].” Maryland also has an official visit currently scheduled for the weekend of June 21, but that date could still change. “It might be the 14th but I’m still taking my official there.”
What’s the driving force behind Blackston’s interest in an official visit to Maryland?
“They’ve been doing a very good job of communicating and staying in touch. It’s a local school so I know a good amount about those guys. I’ve been around them since before they got to high school.”
The projected tackle target will now look to finalize his visit schedule with visits to Maryland and Rutgers this month, but Maryland is one of three schools currently set to officially host him this summer.
“I have dates set up with Boston College, Rutgers and Maryland. I’m talking with Ohio State about an official visit. Virginia, Virginia Tech, they’ve been talking with me too.”
The in-state target will look to make his commitment this summer.
Josh Blackston isn’t rated yet by On3, but graded as a three-star by Rivals.
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