It’s a busy weekend in College Park as head coach Mike Locksley and the staff look to utilize the final two weekends for visits ahead of the early signing period. With that, we dive into what to expect this weekend:
Portal visitors…with the focus shifting toward the portal, this weekend’s visitor list reflects that with the bulk of the visitors coming from the college ranks. NC State QB MJ Morris is on campus for day two of his official visit as Maryland looks to fill the void left by Taulia Tagovailoa in the quarterback room. New GM Merci Falaise has a clear relationship with Morris given their time together at NC State, while the early feedback is the rapport between head coach Mike Locksley and Morris has been good through the first day of the visit. There’s momentum that Maryland could be in position to land Morris, but that’s not a done deal yet as Friday marks day two of his visit. There’s also a void in the tight end room following the departures of Corey Dyches and Rico Walker, but with three underclassmen already in the fold, they’ll look for a veteran as former starting Baylor TE Drake Dabney, who has two years remaining, heads to campus. Bowling Green CB Jalen Huskey will also visit Maryland this weekend and by all accounts, this weekend gives Maryland a realistic chance to secure a commitment contingent on a strong visit. Huskey has a strong desire to stay close to home and has no other visits lined up. Huskey, a former All-MAC selection, had his eyes set on Maryland after making a name for himself as a playmaker at Quince Orchard (MD) back in the day. Maryland went all out for OT Keyshawn Blackstock last cycle before he ultimately signed with Michigan State. Now in the transfer portal, and despite a verbal commitment to Arkansas, Blackstock makes his way back to College Park as assistant Brian Braswell leads the way a second time. After failed efforts the first time around, Blackstock is a prime name to know heading into the weekend with momentum building for the Terps. Florida State IOL Qae’Shon Sapp will also make his way to campus by himself this weekend, while Indiana C Zach Carpenter heads to campus as the staff looks to fill a key void at center. I mentioned in the forum earlier, but it’s a waiting game for former Purdue center Josh Kaltenberger who visited earlier this week and has four other official visits set up. And with that….
High school visitors…while the staff enters the weekend with a realistic chance to pick up at least one portal commitment this weekend, they have a chance to add two more from the high school ranks to its ultimate signing day class as Maryland sits well-positioned for both St. Frances (MD) three-star IOL Logan Bennett and St. John’s (DC) safety Shamar McIntosh, who are both more than receptive to the idea of sticking close to home for college. Two days after he and other commits visited the basketball game, top flip target and South Carolina verbal Braydon Lee will be back on campus this weekend as Maryland will get a chance to roll out the red carpet after steadily pushing through the fall. The late addition to the list: Bishop McNamara (MD) four-star Lugard Edokpayi, who included Maryland in his top five alongside Florida State, Minnesota, Rutgers and Texas A&M. You can safely swap Michigan for Texas A&M in Edokpayi’s top group, though, considering the Aggies were replaced by the Terps in this weekend’s visit plans after the coaching change in College Station. Michigan and Tennessee were two programs working hard to get into the mix late in the fall and the Wolverines are expected to receive an official visit beginning Dec. 12, followed by Florida State on Dec. 15. Maryland has picked up their pursuit of the raw, yet uber-athletic local edge rusher over the last three weeks with assistants Brian Williams and Kevin Sumlin teaming up down the stretch.
Commit check…Maryland was in to see King George (VA) three-star Mekhai White on Thursday as the staff does everything they can to keep the versatile receiver solidly in the fold. And less than two weeks until signing day, things are trending well for Maryland. I’m told that despite both Arkansas and Virginia pushing hard, White still does not have any plans to visit either school this weekend. Maryland is expected back to see White next Tuesday for its second and final in-home visit.
OL buzz…while there’s a continued focus to reload the offensive line, there’s a continued focus to see whether OL DJ Glaze returns to Maryland for another season or heads to the NFL. It sounds like there’s slight momentum that the star lineman is back in College Park for another season as he assesses his pro feedback, but he might not be the only returning lineman. I’m also hearing that RG Corey Bullock is awaiting word on whether he’s eligible for another season after submitting a waiver despite playing four seasons. Either way, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Terps ultimately do return at least one starter in 2024.
Related Links
Local commit returns to campus, talks signing day emotions, recruiting efforts (+)
IBG’s 2023 end-of-season awards for Maryland football
QB visitor (+)
Two four-star visitors + OL update (+)
Everything Kevin Willard, players said after win vs. Penn State
Young, Reese will Maryland to 81-75 overtime win vs. Penn State
