The latest rumblings I’m hearing heading into Friday:
Portal update…it’s been a busy week of portal action for Maryland, both outgoing and incoming. Maryland has watched a trio of departing transfers–Noah Batchelor, Caelum Swanton-Rodger, Jahnathan Lamothe–to free up space for Kevin Willard this offseason. I wouldn’t expect Lamothe to entertain a return to Maryland as both sides move on as the Baltimore native looks to find a school that has him as a bigger part of next season’s plan. For Maryland, it’s given them a chance to upgrade the weak spots along the roster and right now, it’s all eyes on the backcourt. All eyes are still on Julian Reese, who has yet to officially announce plans as the saga continues. Reese and Kevin Willard have been able to address next season’s plans this week and I’m told the star big man has been in College Park through the week, an encouraging sign during Maryland’s spring break. The longer this goes on, the better for Maryland with NIL still a primary focus down the stretch.
As for incoming targets, after months of behind-the-scenes mutual interest, Maryland officially reached out on Monday afternoon before bringing in Rice and his parents to campus on Wednesday for a chance to iron out the fit between the two sides. Heading into Friday, I’m told again Rice’s camp doesn’t have any other visits set up after checking out Maryland with the Terps in position to add the former DeMatha guard, sitting ‘hot’ on the big board.
Maryland could have another opportunity to find its replacement for Jahmir Young, too, with former Belmont guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie headed to campus with his family today. Maryland was able to move quickly on the portal guard with assistant Greg Manning Jr. spearheading efforts. On Gillespie’s end, it sounds like his camp is keeping the door open on potential future visits but Maryland has a chance to roll out the red carpet with ammo to sell at the point.
Flip target…Maryland will see the bulk of their visitors head to campus once spring ball kicks off next Tuesday with a running list of visitors here, but there was another local target who made his way to campus yet again earlier this week: Blake Woodby. I wouldn’t classify his trip as a traditional visit, but Woodby has made himself a familiar face in College Park when allowed to in recent months with the in-state priority drawing a comfortable feeling from the home team early in the process. The Ohio State verbal has possibly been the local target who’s been on campus the most since the start of the new year with Maryland a big player in his recruitment alongside Oregon and Virginia Tech–in addition to the Buckeyes. Maryland is still expected to get an official visit from the local cornerback target with Woodby’s recruitment, while a return to campus for spring ball is in the cards with an elite crew of visitors expected on March 30.
Meanwhile, another target who will make his way to campus next week is Spalding (MD) safety Trent Gillis who has Maryland among his first stop of schools. An official visit isn’t set up just yet, and it could happen, but co-defensive coordinators Brian Williams and Aazaar Abdul-Rahim have kept close tabs on him with Spalding head coach Kyle Schmitt high on his team captain’s ability to become an impactful Power Five defensive prospect.
Related Links
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