Recruiting

Maryland Holds Early Lead for Local Prospect

Maryland is set to host Purdue this upcoming weekend and Gaithersburg (MD) running back Gideon Ituka is possibly making his way back to College Park for the third time. The 5-foot-9, 223-pound prospect is deciding visiting Maryland or Virginia when they host Louisville, but that doesn’t overshadow Ituka’s visit for the win against Michigan State.

“It was really good. It was a dream come true and I really liked it because I was able to bring my teammates down and show them what it’s like,” he told Inside the Black and Gold. Ituka made it onto campus hours prior to kickoff and stayed through the end of the game where he got a close look at the offense.

“Just the way they move the ball, passing and running wise. They use their running backs a lot. They’re not so much like run, run, run, they have the pass and they work that combo and I really like that. Great linemen blocking wise.“ In fact, Ituka’s visit for the SMU win sparked his interest in getting a second look at the offense.

“I just wanted to come back again because I fell in love and just seeing the way Maryland played, I knew I wanted to come back for another game.” Outside linebacker coach James Thomas is leading the recruitment alongside running backs coach Elijah Brooks and Ituka got a chance to see both. “They just told me keep doing what I’m doing and come out to as many home games. I’m going to do that because I’m really feeling the Terp love right now.” He’s built a strong connection to Thomas, as well. “Great dude, love him. Shows me love, tells me to just keep coming out. He’s a really cool guy.”

Cincinnati, Virginia and Duke are three more who join Maryland as early consistent suitors while Florida is working on setting up a visit, but it’s the Terps who hold the early edge.

“To be honest, I’d probably put them at number one right now. Just overall love I’ve been getting, just watching them on the field and the players and the love they show me. Like Rakim Jarrett, someone I grew up watching at St. John’s, it’s just like this is where home might be.”

Ituka is not yet rated by On3, but is rated a three-star prospect and an 86 overall by 247Sports.

QB Taulia Tagovailoa appreciates support his family has received

Key pieces to the puzzle are heading Willard’s way

DeMatha DL Emmett Laws recaps first visit to Maryland with an offer (+)

Four-star Darren Harris includes Maryland in top group

Locksley sheds light on player development ahead of Purdue

Local guard raves after visit for practice (+)