Don’t look now, but the Terps are hot.
Maryland pulled off consecutive key commitments from local targets after a standout official visit weekend to wrap up June. Linebacker Keyshawn Flowers became the first in-state target for Maryland on Friday, a target that’s sat high on their board ever since the end of his junior season. The lean, yet explosive linebacker shined in the same role that Kellan Wyatt did as a junior and senior at Spalding and gives the room another instinctive linebacker with exceptional closing speed.
Miami (FL) was in hot pursuit, but the ‘Canes wanted a commitment by the end of his official visit weekend—despite Flowers resistant to pulling the trigger. The three-star linebacker sat just as high on the ‘Canes board as he did Maryland’s, but Flowers leaving Coral Gables without a decision left some salt within the ‘Canes program as they began fading. Notre Dame was a distant third in the race with Maryland the team standing with the most to gain, Flowers’ ability to play with his brother, PWO linebacker Keion, and play close to his family loomed large.
Maryland hit on all of Flowers’ wants and had the support of family early in the process, paving the way for its third inside linebacker commit this cycle. Flowers joins the fold as a MIKE alongside Justin Okoronkwo and Keyari James, giving the room athletic pieces that have stellar sideline-to-sideline speed. Another similarity: all three have drawn rave reviews for their work ethic off the field.
Just like the inside linebacker room, Maryland has replenished its cornerback room this week as Lloyd Irvin became the third cornerback in the fold, joining Lakhi Roland and Larry Tarver. While both Roland and Tarver have the speed that matches the Terps renewed push in the secondary, Irvin is a pure press man corner with the length needed to excel as a boundary corner. His length was a trait that Maryland has been fond of, and Henry Baker’s experience with cornerbacks similar to Irvin’s mold helped solidify his decision. While Irvin went public on Friday, sources told IBG the Terps knocked Irvin’s visit out of the park last weekend as confidence was sky high on their chances before coaches were notified on Wednesday.
Maryland will look to keep the good buzz rolling into Sunday when St. Frances (MD) four-star running back Dejuan Williams goes public with his decision. I still like where Maryland stands, as reported on Friday following Williams’ set commitment date, as the staff will go the distance with Good Counsel four-star Dilin Jones.
Maryland may not be done with local four-stars, though. Quince Orchard (MD) four-star edge rusher Jaylen Harvey wrapped up his fourth official visit after visiting Maryland last weekend and could take another visit at the end of July. Penn State has comfortably been the team to beat over the last year, but that’s dwindled as the Nittany Lions went all-out for an immediate commitment following Harvey’s official visit to Happy Valley. Florida is the wildcard, but despite initial reluctance, I’m hearing that it’s Maryland who has given Penn State the toughest battle down the stretch. Maryland needed to knock it out of the park last weekend and by multiple accounts, Harvey was engaged with the players and other visitors throughout the weekend. Maryland also has the support of Harvey’s parent while Harvey’s interest in Maryland is genuine. All schools have laid out their development plan on and off the field as they delve into the NIL side of Harvey’s recruitment.
While plenty has been discussed about Maryland’s potential in the NIL world, Penn State’s lack of NIL with their Maryland-natives is something the family has taken notice of as his recruitment developed through June. Penn State’s strategy to get an immediate decision from Harvey also rubbed some the wrong way, another contact added. Maryland has long had to chip away at the local edge rusher and the Terps’ current standing remains a testament to the relentless pursuit led by outside linebacker coach James Thomas as he and the staff work the close.
Harvey sits as ‘warm’ on the big board, and after postponing his July 4 commitment, a decision is more likely to come prior to senior year, though that’s a timeline that remains fluid.
Meanwhile, Maryland remains in a battle for Virginia receivers Chanz Wiggins and Mekhai White with Wiggins still leaning towards the Hokies. One contact told IBG that White is 50-50 between Maryland and Virginia Tech, but the Hokies could pull off both Wiggins and Keylen Adams which puts White’s spot in jeopardy. Maryland also has momentum against Virginia for Highland Springs (VA) three-star quarterback Khristian Martin as he bounces between his two finalists.
Related Links
Keyshawn Flowers breaks down commitment to Maryland (+)
CB Lloyd Irvin commits to Maryland, breaks down decision
Big board mover: more local recruiting momentum (+)
Maryland football stays hot as Spalding LB Keyshawn Flowers announces commitment
Newly offered target talks first visit to Maryland, connections with staff (+)