Maryland is in the midst of its second and final visit weekend ahead of the dead period as head coach Mike Locksley and the staff work on finalizing its 2024 class, along with reeling in a few key portal targets.
Maryland is good at both quarterback and running back heading into the rest of the offseason. Highland Springs (VA) three-star Khristian Martin had been evaluated since his junior season and jumped into the fold over the summer. Maryland took a look at Florida QB Trever Jackson after parting ways with Ole Miss, while local QB Mike Van Buren briefly became available after parting ways with Oregon, but Maryland stood pat here. The portal was the route for Maryland, and with MJ Morris in the fold, the quarterback room is solidified as things currently stand.
The same could said at running back, where SFA DeJuan Williams will enroll in January and continue rehab from his torn ACL suffered in the spring. Wisconsin verbal Dilin Jones showed little to no signs of wavering since committing to the Badgers in June. With Roman Hemby expected to lead the way alongside the former St. John’s (DC) into 2024, along with the return of Nolan Ray, the running back room is in good standing.
It took a bit longer than many hoped, but there are no concerns with three-star WR Mekhai White heading into the final week after a pair of in-homes helped officially end communication with other schools. He’ll join Josiah McLaurin and Jamari Powell-Wonson in the class as Maryland now has a long list of underclassmen waiting to separate themselves in 2024. With Kaden Prather, Tai Felton, Octavian Smith and Shaleak Knotts all expected to return, the receiver spot is likely set heading into 2024 as it stands.
The tight end room took a hit this offseason when both Corey Dyches and Rico Walker hit the transfer portal, but former Baylor TE Drake Dabney remains in the mix with TCU the latest stop and Louisville in the mix for the midyear transfer.
The offensive line remains the biggest focus this offseason and the target list—whether the high school or portal ranks—has reflected that. Maryland wrapped up their visit with former Murray State RT DJ Jones on Friday while former Georgia IOL Aliou Bah will wrap his up on Saturday, while all eyes are on former Michigan and Indiana IOL Zach Carpenter with him entering day two of his official visit to Miami (FL) and a decision set for Sunday. Maryland also remains in the mix for former Florida State OL Qae’Shon Sapp with Quashon Fuller helping efforts down the stretch. Locking down former Purdue OL Josh Kaltenberger following his second visit to campus this week was the first major domino, though, giving assistant Brian Braswell a chance to potentially find his starter center for 2024. Now comes finding reinforcements and with DJ Glaze still a possibility and Kyle Long a capable starter, finding another guard and potential tackle could give Maryland its potential starting tandem. While the line is the focus in the portal, it was also the focus through the 2024 class with Terez Davis and Ryan Howerton headlining the seven-man offensive line haul this cycle with Davis drawing ample attention down the stretch, specifically from Penn State. In-state linemen Davon Watkins and Trevor Szymanski are on their official visits this weekend as Maryland is in a comfortable spot with its high school pledges and remains well-positioned for Logan Bennett. The momentum heading into the visit for former Michigan State OL and current Arkansas pledge Keyshawn Blackstock has stalled heading into the weekend, now marking the second time Maryland’s hot pursuit has simmered, but they’re battling the Hogs down the stretch with Brian Braswell tapping into his year-long relationship. Five-star Colorado verbal Jordan Seaton is the biggest wildcard with rampant rumblings behind the scenes that his recruitment remains active.
The defensive line saw a bit of a shakeup with its targets this week as in-state linemen Ernest Willor and Cam Jones officially came off the board as both visits were canceled. Instead, Maryland has former Central Michigan DE Quindario Lee on campus after the staff has been hot on the tail of the 6-foot-5 lineman. Maryland is expected to have multiple returning veterans in 2024, including Taizse Johnson and Tommy Akingbesote, as Lee could help on the end to bolster a veteran rotation. While Maryland still welcomes four underclassmen to the position in 2024, Maryland remains in the mix for Lugard Edokpayi, a raw, yet athletic four-star edge out of Bishop McNamara (MD). This one is a Maryland-Michigan battle down the stretch as Maryland continues to chip away in his recruitment after what looked like a distant outside-looking-in position just two weeks ago.
With Donnell Brown expected back in 2024 and Ruben Hyppolite still a possible return, the linebacker room is in good standing even despite the departure of Jaishawn Barham. Three-stars Keyari James and Trey Reddick are expected to enroll in January while Keyshawn Flowers arrives in June. Maryland has remained hot on the trail of Pitt verbal Jeremiah Marcelin, who got a chance to see the staff as head coach Mike Locksley works the close. Louisville had emerged as a contender over the summer with Florida State emerging through the fall, but the ‘Noles buzz has faded. I like Maryland to pull off the signing day flip from the 6-foot-2 linebacker, who enrolls in January, and I’ve now bumped him to ‘hot’ heading into the weekend.
Glen Miller and Dante Trader Jr. are expected back to lead the safety room in 2024 and while Brandon Jacob and Shamar McIntosh highlight the two current high school pledges, Maryland has evaluated a handful of portal possibilities with the position not a dire need. That can’t be said for cornerback, but the addition of former Bowling Green CB Jalen Huskey helped fill a big void as the former Quince Orchard star gives the secondary a CB1. Finding a second cornerback remains a focus after Gavin Gibson and Corey Coley Jr. entered the transfer portal, and for now, all eyes will be on former UNC CB Tayon Holloway with his early January timeline. On the high school front, Maryland has three cornerbacks currently in the fold and the biggest remaining target is South Carolina verbal Braydon Lee. Maryland is in excellent standing and have answered all remaining questions with Lee himself as the staff continues to chip away with Lee’s mom ahead of next week’s signing day and Lee’s January enrollment. Both Larry Tarver Jr. and Lloyd Irvin are expected to enroll in January.
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