While the signings of defensive backs Kevyn Humes and Shamar McIntosh were long expected, Maryland was able to address another need once its 24-man class was finalized on Wednesday morning with the class nationally ranked 31st-best by Rivals, 43rd-best by 247Sports and 45th-best by On3.
The defensive line was a position of emphasis for Maryland as they initially scouted the transfer portal ranks, offering portal entries like Trey Moore, Zach Horton and Anton Juncaj while keeping tabs on Monkell Goodwine before quickly committing to South Carolina. Maryland wasn’t shy about the possibility of waiting until the spring portal flurry to fill the need, but the perfect match came to fruition leading up to the Feb. 7 signing period.
Adding another defensive lineman ahead of the 2024 cycle was a priority for Maryland and while it initially looked like the transfer portal would be the likely route, the Terps were more than comfortable filling the spot with three-star Dimitry Nicolas, a 6-foot-3, 295-pound lineman out of Norland (FL). Nicolas was already on Maryland’s radar having previously made his way to College Park for an unofficial visit back in the spring while extending an offer to him among several other Norland targets back in early June, but Wednesday’s signing was made possible without an official visit. Despite entering Wednesday committed to Auburn, Michigan State was expected to be the team to beat down before space became an issue down the stretch. As for Maryland, Nicolas was someone they were plenty familiar with and that’s primarily because of co-DC Brian Williams. Despite missing on a pair of targets at the same school back in December, Norland’s connections with Williams helped make Wednesday’s signing possible, while Nicolas began building his relationship with Williams during his junior season at Monsignor Pace (FL). Once the Spartans’ pursuit ended, Maryland became the perfect match given the familiarity and the need at the position. The need, along with the trust and comfort between Nicolas and Williams, paved the way for Wednesday’s signing as the three-star gave his verbal to the staff on Tuesday evening.
Sticking on the defensive side of the ball, one position that’s seen a ton of movement over the last six weeks is the cornerback room, where Jalen Huskey officially transferred in shortly after four high school signees were added. Fringe four-star Kevyn Humes became the fifth and final addition on Wednesday after the staff made him a top priority through January.
By now, you know that Syracuse’s pursuit was never expected to top Maryland once the Terps turned up the notch on their pursuit and a pair of unofficial visits prior to this past weekend’s official visit sealed the deal. With Humes expected to enroll in the summer, the speedy corner instantly elevates the floor in the room and has the ball skills to draw early snaps as a nickel corner. The comfortable rapport between Humes and Aazaar Abdul-Rahim elevates the confidence that the in-state cornerback will develop into an integral piece in the defensive back room, feedback that I expect to become more frequent among local defensive backs in the 2025 cycle and beyond. While the room is now stocked with underclassmen talent, spring ball gives the unit a chance to work with its new position coach as Maryland evaluates another potential starter during the next wave of portal entries.
As for where else the Terps will look, priority number one remains the offensive line where either a left or right tackle will round out the starting five. With the already signed transfers enrolled with the program, Josh Kaltenberger, Aliou Bah and Alan Herron remain in position to step in as impact additions. Finding an in-line blocking tight end also remains a focus with former Michigan TE Matthew Hibner entrenched as ‘warm’ on the big board following last month’s unofficial visit. With the add/drop date now past and the second and final signing period in the 2024 class complete, the roster will stand pat heading into spring ball with limited space as PWOs now become finalized.
The return of Donnell Brown and Kellan Wyatt, along with the debut of former four-star Neeo Avery, gives the front seven the presence it needs off the edge to compete in the Big Ten, while the return of Tommy Akingbesote, Taizse Johnson and Jordan Phillips restocks the defensive line. Add in the return of Ruben Hyppolite and Fa’Najae Gotay with Caleb Wheatland, Mike Harris and Daniel Wingate at inside linebacker, and the front seven is in good standing heading into the spring.
On the offensive side of the ball, Maryland’s skill players are back with Roman Hemby and Colby McDonald leading the running back room while Tai Felton and Kaden Prather lead the receivers. The offseason into spring ball will give third-year receivers like Octavian Smith and Shaleak “Punch” Knotts to take the next step with a chance at elevated roles in 2024 with a deep unit of underclassmen waiting in the fold.
Until then, the team is in the midst of the strength & conditioning part of the offseason with workouts and runs driving workouts under director of football strength and conditioning Ryan Davis.
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May 17, 2024