VIP: Roster Note, Portal Frenzy for Maryland Football

Tuesday marked the official day when junior wide receiver Rakim Jarrett made his intentions public after announcing he’s opting out of the bowl game and declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. It was an expected decision with the St. John’s product making it clear that he was on the three year plan, but now, the offensive staff will officially need to restock the wide receiver room next season. A couple of new notes from Tuesday:

  • Maryland head coach Mike Locksley says that he’s expects to see QB Taulia Tagovailoa back in College Park next season, which is what I mentioned in the forum on Monday night in response to Maryland’s chances with WR Kaden Prather. Taulia added he’ll speak with his family and make a decision after the bowl, but the growing expectation remains that Taulia is the QB in 2023 to give the offense a key piece to build around. That also increases my confidence in Maryland’s chances to land Prather despite PSU HC James Franklin checking in on the former Big 12 WR on Tuesday. As for another receiver, I’m not optimistic on Maryland’s chances to have Jeshaun Jones back for a sixth season, but he and Fa’Najae Gotay have both been included in recent TBIAF events which gives me pause. Nonetheless, I expect Jones to suit up for the bowl game regardless of his ultimate decision but will continue to ask around on him.

  • I continue to hear good things on Maryland’s standing with UTEP OT Jeremiah Byers with his OV now complete. Maryland is still battling a crowded field there but one contact close to Byers says that Maryland has solidified themselves as a viable contender due to the detail and pitch during the visit. I am not projecting him to Maryland, but a big ascension in that race over the last two days.
  • I mentioned Sunday night portal activity is hectic right now so a lot of plans are fluid. CB is now in a better spot after Sheppard committed and Gould was a name I heard on Sunday night, but a source says plans to go out to see CB Jaeden Gould are scratched with the expectation he lands at Syracuse.
  • Safeties coach Wes Neighbors will meet with Alabama OT Amari Kight on Thursday. There are preexisting relationships there that helped Maryland get into the mix—like blocking for Taulia out of high school—and Neighbors has connections to the area. Also hearing Kight isn’t in a rush to make a decision and while nothing is set yet, I won’t be shocked if he steps onto campus for an OV and he’s a realistic name to keep tabs on.
  • I’m hearing that this upcoming weekend’s official visit is set for Miami safety Avantae Williams and barring a last-minute change of plans, he’ll be in College Park this weekend. Colorado is in the mix there and heard he bumped a trip to see Deion in favor of a trip to see Locksley.
  • As I mentioned on Monday evening, I’m hearing that five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor will be back in College Park on Wednesday night for the UCLA game. This would mark his third visit this month. There’ll be a few more visitors as we’ll report once finalized.

Related Links

WR Rakim Jarrett opts out, declares for 2023 NFL Draft

Four-star forward returning to College Park (+)

What I’m Hearing: busy week heating up (+)

Another key portal visitor (+) 

VIP: What I’m hearing coming out of OV weekend (+)

Willard breaks down loss vs. Tennessee

Cincy CB Ja’Quan Sheppard commits to Maryland