Recruiting

Where Maryland stands with their final group of official visitors

Maryland will welcome its third and final group of official visitors to campus this weekend with a long list of priority targets making their way back to campus. With Maryland up to ten commitments in the 2024 class, they’ll look to make headway on more of their targets. We take a look at this weekend’s visitors:

Edgewater (FL) three-star DE Josh Alexander-Felton

After officially visiting NC State last weekend, Maryland is next up for the 6-foot-4 edge rusher. Alexander-Felton visited Maryland in the spring as outside linebacker coach James Thomas has been in consistent pursuit of the top target. And while the Wolfpack left their mark last weekend, Maryland has a chance to take over as the team to beat in his recruitment and a big reason why is the strength of the relationship between the three-star and Thomas. It also doesn’t hurt that Alexander-Felton and four-star safety Brandon Jacob, who sits ‘hot’ on the big board following last weekend’s official visit, are close friends with the edge rusher eyeing a possible July decision.

Spalding (MD) LB Keyshawn Flowers

The Spalding linebacker rose on Maryland’s recruiting board following his junior season and has remained a top target heading into a July decision. Miami proved to be the toughest competition heading into the month and while the ‘Canes rolled out the red carpet the weekend of June 9, the pursuit has slowed down after Flowers opted to move forward with his remaining two official visits. The strength of Notre Dame’s academics resonated with the family during last weekend’s visit, and now, it’ll be the Terps who are up next. There’s still a level of confidence in Maryland’s chances to land Flowers with his tight-knit relationship with his family, especially his twin brother, that can help the Terps outlast his top suitors.

Quince Orchard (MD) four-star edge Jaylen Harvey:

After releasing a top five with Penn State, USC, Maryland, Tennessee and USC in the mix, Harvey will take his final official visit before his July 4 commitment when he makes his way to Maryland this weekend. It wasn’t always a sure thing that Harvey would follow through on an official visit to Maryland—the local four-star and his family first agreed he’d take an official earlier in the process, but that was tested back in the spring. Outside linebacker coach James Thomas has led the way to help Maryland make up significant ground in his recruitment as the Terps have the support from Harvey’s parents. This weekend is all about rolling out the red carpet for Jaylen, though. Maryland will need to roll out the red carpet where they’ll get a chance to pitch his immediate impact on the field while hitting on the NIL potential off the field.

Flowers (MD) three-star CB Lloyd Irvin

Maryland, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Boston College remain in the mix with the Badgers catching his eye while Boston College wrapped up a great official visit last weekend. Wisconsin might not be an option anymore, even after cornerback Vernon Woodward flipped from the Badgers to Illinois, as the Terps stand the most to gain in his recruitment. There’s a chance Irvin could wrap up his recruitment this weekend with a productive visit, but nonetheless, a decision is expected potentially by next week with Maryland the team in best position heading down the stretch. While tight ends coach Kevin Sumlin has kept tabs, cornerbacks coach Henry Baker has driven the relationship with the Flowers standout.

Highland Springs (VA) three-star QB Khristian Martin

After his official visit to Virginia Tech was cancelled, it’s a Maryland-Virginia race. Virginia is viewed as the team with the edge heading into the weekend but Maryland will look to get its crack with wide receiver coach Gunter Brewer maintaining his connection while offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has been aggressive in building a relationship with Martin and his parents. Maryland is all-in on Martin as they look to fill their QB spot this cycle. Maryland was also on the shortlist of schools to host four-star QB Trever Jackson this weekend, but he tells IBG he has a visit set to visit Maryland for July 28 as he officially visits Texas A&M this weekend.

Ashbrook (NC) OT Trent Mitchell

Mitchell made his way to East Carolina then NC State as this upcoming weekend will mark his second visit to campus since the spring. Wide receiver coach Gunter Brewer has driven Mitchell’s recruitment as this weekend will mark his second visit to campus, but dethroning the Wolfpack will be the biggest challenge.

Mainland (FL) three-star safety E’zaiah Shine

Another whose close friends with four-star safety Brandon Jacob, Shine briefly visited campus back in the spring while in town for a 7-on-7 before returning to campus weeks later for Maryland’s spring game. Shine kicked off the month with an official visit to UCF before officially visiting Iowa State the following week, but with outside linebacker coach James Thomas in hot pursuit, Maryland will have a chance to close and pick up a commitment from the Florida safety target isn’t out of the question heading into the weekend.

Tru Prep Academy (FL) Larry Tarver (FIU verbal)

Cornerback coach Henry Baker has remained in consistent pursuit of the 5-foot-11 cornerback ever since the staff paid a visit to watch him in late May. Tarver added that defensive coordinator Brian Williams has also been in touch and after officially visiting Texas A&M two weeks ago, Tarver is set to make his first official visit to campus this upcoming weekend before bunkering back down with his family to make a final decision.

Meadowcreek (GA) OT Donovan Thompson

After extending an offer back on May 8 with inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson as the area recruiter, Thompson quickly set up an official visit to Maryland to give him his first look at College Park. Mississippi State hosted Thompson for an official last weekend while Duke and Virginia Tech are in the mix for the Georgia product.

King George (VA) three-star WR Chanz Wiggins

Maryland will get its final chance to dethrone Virginia Tech as the leader heading into his July commitment. The Virginia wideout hasn’t been shy about the Hokies being in pole position in his recruitment, but the depth to Wiggins and his mom’s relationships with the coaching staff is what’s kept the Terps in the mix. Couple that with Maryland’s offensive style and wide receiver coach Gunter Brewer’s relentless pursuit on the recruiting trail and the Terps will look to turn the tide with aspirations of securing Wiggins and Mekhai White, who officially visits VT this weekend, in the fold.

SFA (MD) four-star RB DeJuan Williams:

Inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson has led the way with the 5-foot-10 running back dating back to last season, giving Williams a chance to build a strong relationship with his area recruiter. This spring has given Williams a chance to chip away at the relationship with running backs coach Latrell Scott, making his way for a spring practice for a sit down before the staff made their way through the Baltimore powerhouse during the May eval period. This weekend marks the second official visit this month after officially visiting Boston College last week, but the Terps have the edge here heading into an expected summer decision.

Commits back in town

Maryland will welcome four commitments back to campus this weekend: Fursty (GERM) three-star LB Justin Okoronkwo, Baltimore City (MD) three-star WR Jahmari Powell-Wonson, Phoebus (VA) three-star edge Anthony Reddick and DeMatha (MD) three-star OT Terez Davis. Davis, who kicked June off with his commitment, made his way to Syracuse for his official visit last weekend with head coach Dino Babers in hot pursuit. Davis, however, is still viewed as a solid commit to Maryland as this weekend will mark his third visit to campus this month. Okoronkwo, however, has watched his stock soar through the camp circuit with South Carolina and Nebraska both jumping into the mix. Powell-Wonson, meanwhile, was back in College Park taking in Maryland’s camp while Reddick remains rock solid with his pledge.

North Carolina OL sets return visit to Maryland (+)

Four-star guard able to see Maryland from a different perspective

In-state cornerback set to return to Maryland ahead of looming decision (+)

Newest Maryland commitment breaks down his decision (+)

One up, one down in Maryland’s backcourt pursuit (+)

Emerging center getting comfortable with Maryland, talks early relationships (+)