Maryland has a few high school targets remaining ahead of next month’s signing period and are working on the portal through the weekend and into next week, but the staff has also been able to lay the framework for the 2024 class. We look at where things stand for Maryland in the early stages of next cycle.
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St. Frances (MD) four-star Mike Van Buren is undoubtedly the top name on Maryland’s QB board as the staff has made major strides with him over the last six months. Van Buren will head west to visit Oregon next week, a viable early contender, but the Terps comfortably sit in the top half of MVB’s top eight schools. He’ll look to make a spring or early summer commitment as head coach Mike Locksley has played a big hand throughout his recruitment, but the Terps are also in a good spot with Milford Mills (MD) three-star Deshawn Purdie early in the process. He’s trekked through Maryland multiple times and the staff has built a strong enough rapport that they’re a viable early contender. Highland Springs (VA) three-star Khristian Martin is another who sits high on the list as he visited for a game last fall and both assistants Dan Enos and Gunter Brewer have watched him play through his junior season. Maryland will likely grab one this cycle with multiple viable targets in play early on.
Maryland could have a pair of spots available at running back, but with at least one vacant spot this cycle, the staff has St. Frances (MD) four-star Dejuan Williams and Good Counsel (MD) four-star Dilin Jones atop the wish list. Jones, an electric local back who validated himself as an every down back this fall, will need a bit more work than Williams at this juncture. Maryland has been able to get Williams on campus and build an early rapport with mom. Local running back Gideon Ituka on also on the radar, but at 5-foot-9, he may rise up the board should the Terps miss elsewhere. Saint Joseph Regional (NJ) four-star Yasin Williams is among the early priority targets out of New Jersey next cycle while Brooke Point (VA) three-star Daniel Coles can line up a number of ways on offense.
Maryland has a host of wide receivers they’re in the mix for early on as well. GC (MD) three-star Elijah Moore is deservingly adding offers from the blue bloods, but he’s one who holds a strong connection with both Brewer and James Thomas and will give Maryland a long look. Having the same WR coach and offseason trainer as new Terp Kaden Prather is another bonus. King George (VA) four-star duo Chanz Wiggins and Mekhai White sit very high on Maryland’s board, though there’s more optimism with White than Wiggins at this juncture. Cummings (NC) four-star Johnathan Paylor is another who will draw a visit from the staff in the coming days with the dead period over, and the four-star has the Terps in his top group after visiting this fall. Maryland also got a chance to see Evan Austin yet again on Friday morning as he’s in wait-and-see mode, but Austin would love to join the fold as he’s worth keeping tabs on through the cycle.
While tight end will be a developing position right now, the offensive line will be a priority once again next cycle. Loyola (MD) three-star Trevor Szymanski added some Power Five offers to his list with Pitt the latest school to jump in, but there isn’t much uncertainty as to where he’ll land with his older brother signed with Maryland. I view Penn St as the team to beat for Good Counsel (MD) three-star Kyle Altuner, who had Maryland high on his list early but has faded over the last nine months. St. John’s (DC) four-star Jordan Seaton is another who had Maryland atop his leaderboard when he first picked up the offer and gave very positive vibes during his visit to Maryland this season where he took in the postgame celebration and spoke at length with head coach Mike Locksley, but the early word is the projected four-star guard lands at a blue blood. Maryland is squarely in the mix for Loudoun Valley (VA) Mason Wade, Flowers (MD) three-star Mike Williams and DeMatha (MD) Terez Davis with all potentially filling in as tackles at the next level.
Penn State still holds the edge for both, but Maryland has made strides with both Oakdale (MD) four-star Dom Nichols and Quince Orchard (MD) four-star Jaylen Harvey over the last three months as Brewer picks up the slack with Nichols. If Maryland’s game atmosphere is a drawback for any priority recruits this cycle, it’s both Nichols and Harvey but the staff has developed strong rapports with both camps with the cycle picking up. Maryland is also an early contender for Good Counsel (MD) three-star Darien Mayo, who also has USC high on his list. Manchester (VA) four-star Makai Byerson is another they’re gunning for, while both IMG Academy (MD) four-star Ernest Willor and Friendship (DC) five-star Dylan Stewart are already longshots. Stewart’s possible former teammate in Friendship (DC) three-star DeAndre Cook has made it to Maryland twice and holds a strong rapport early. Maryland is also after Gonzaga (DC) four-star DD Holmes, who was invited but didn’t make it to campus for a game this fall.
Maryland already holds a commitment from German LB Justin Okoronkwo, who could leverage his natural athleticism and closing speed to become an explosive inside linebacker at the next level. Maryland is also among the early viable contenders for Good Counsel (MD) four-star Aaron Chiles and Pallotti (MD) four-star Gabe Williams with both likely looking at summer commitment. St. Frances (MD) Simeon Coleman is in wait-and-see mode, while the upside that Flowers (MD) three-star Kendric Council has the Terps’ attention. Maryland has also made a run at West Bloomfield (MI) three-star Kari Jackson since the fall and will make his top group list, while the staff has been building with Long Beach Poly (CA) four-star Dylan Williams since last summer with recruiting analyst Gary Wortham Jr. kicking off the charge. Since picking up the offer during his gameday visit, Kell (GA) Justin Logan has also been steadily hearing from the staff.
In the secondary, Maryland has several targets out of St. Frances in safeties Edrees Farooq, Bryce Deas and Ify Obidegwu. but I don’t see any of them landing in College Park. That’s been the case since last fall, though Farooq is keeping Maryland under consideration. St. Peter’s Prep (NJ) Cam Richardson has been on campus several times with Henry Baker leading the way and could be a candidate to commit in late spring. Flint Hill (VA) Joshua Clarke received a stop from both Wes Neighbors and Lance Thompson last month during the open period and he holds the Terps high on his list early on.
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