After producing a pair of commitments out of the first group of official visitors last weekend, head coach Mike Locksley and the Maryland football staff will look to keep the buzz going into this weekend as the welcome a pair of four-stars and more regional targets to campus for their official visits. Can the Terps add to their seven-man 2024 recruiting class? We delve into the list and dive into where things stand.
Gonzaga (DC) four-star edge DD Holmes: after unofficially visiting each school during the spring, the local four-star kicked off the month with trips to Rutgers and South Carolina where the Gamecocks have drawn buzz in his recruitment. Florida State is expected to get the next official visit the weekend of June 23 with assistant John Papuchis in hot pursuit, but the strength of the relationship at Rutgers has made them a factor. The same can be said for Maryland, who hosted the 6-foot-6 edge rusher during spring practices while defensive coordinator Brian Williams has been in pursuit since the beginning of the recruiting process. The Terps haven’t had much success from Gonzaga over the years, but the relationships with Holmes’ coaches and family have kept them in the conversation.
Bridgeland (TX) three-star DL Omar Khan: TCU became the latest school to jump into the mix for the Texas lineman after camping and meeting with the coaching staff on Tuesday. Safeties coach Zac Spavital led the way to rework Khan’s schedule to replace Cal with Maryland as he and his mom make their way to campus. Maryland uncovered Khan after the staff watched the 6-foot-2, 270-pound edge rusher in camp as Arizona State, Utah and USC are among the schools who’ve jumped into the mix since. He kicked the month off with a trip to Arizona and Khan is also scheduled to officially visit Washington next weekend before he bunkers down with his family.
Mountain View (VA) three-star DL Eric Mensah: after camping at Ohio State earlier in the week, the Buckeyes are monitoring with Mensah primarily focusing on Virginia, Virginia Tech and Maryland. The Hoos were first up on the official visit list and the Terps will get their crack this weekend and after visiting for a spring practice and keeping in consistent contact with inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson. While the in-state schools have momentum, don’t discount the Terps heading into the weekend as he’s been a consistent target through the spring. Penn State also has its eye on the aspiring cyber security major heading into an expected summer decision.
Evans (FL) four-star SAF Brandon Jacob: after official visits to UCF and Texas A&M, the four-star safety will make his way back to College Park where he’s made himself a frequent visitor. Dating back to last year when he visited for the Rutgers game, to returning for an unofficial in the spring, then again weeks later during a trip to the DMV for a 7-on-7, then again for the spring game. Ohio State is also lurking in his recruitment, but Jacob’s interest in Maryland is tied to the strength of his relationship with area recruiter as the Terps have a chance to solidify themselves as the team to beat.
Clinton (NC) three-star WR Josiah McLaurin: after a length conversation between McLaurin and Brewer, Maryland immediately became a factor for the 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver target. McLaurin is no stranger to ECU and made his way to campus last weekend for his official visit and this upcoming weekend’s visit to Maryland will mark his first. While the Terps could wow him and pick up a commitment with a strong visit, the vibe is the emerging target holds off with Virginia Tech a possibility to host him next weekend and Illinois showing strong interest.
William Penn (PA) offensive tackle Michael McMonigle: the PA lineman has a final two of Maryland and Syracuse with the Orange first up to host him for an official visit last weekend. Like Brewer’s pursuit of recent commit Anthony Robsock, the tackle target emerged through the spring evaluation process after head coach Mike Locksley reconnected with a former teammate and Robsock’s head coach to get him on the radar. After picking up the offer in camp during the first weekend of July, Robsock made his way back to campus for a midweek unofficial ahead of his trip to Syracuse. The Orange rolled out the red carpet and the Terps will get a chance to elevate the bar ahead of a potential late June or early July commitment.
Pallotti (MD) three-star OT Ryan Howerton: Pitt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia are all involved with the Pallotti lineman but it’s Maryland whose been involved the longest, having hosted the lineman in the fall before returning to campus again this spring. Maryland and Virginia Tech jockeyed for position on Howerton’s official visit schedule, but the Hokies remain heavily involved with teammate Gabe Williams now committed and publicly recruiting half of America to Blacksburg. West Virginia already hosted him, Pitt is up at the end of the month ahead of an expected late summer decision.
Buford (GA) three-star DB TyShun White: it’s Maryland, North Carolina or Michigan State for the Georgia three-star. Safeties coach Zac Spavital has stayed on top of the 5-foot-11 safety target since offering last month and with inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson as the area coachTerps will have their chance this weekend with a clean slate and chance to leave a strong first impression. The Tar Heels have the current edge but the Spartans have juice on the recruiting trail and leave concern heading into the final official visit weekend. Maryland will get their crack during White’s first trip to campus.
Cedar Grove (GA) three-star CB Lakhi Roland (UMD commit): after unofficially visiting for a spring practice back in the spring, Roland followed through and gave his verbal to the staff the following week to become the lone defensive back commit this far. That hasn’t stopped others from pursuing, most notably Louisville where he officially visited last weekend. Roland has maintained he’s locked into Maryland with Brian Braswell and Henry Baker tag teaming his recruitment and the staff will get a chance to solidify their standing despite keeping an open stance to visits elsewhere.
Note: Hutch DT Danny Saili was initially slated to officially visit Maryland this upcoming weekend, but committed to Oklahoma on Wednesday night.
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