Maryland saw themselves miss out on a number of local prospects through the summer but have been keeping tabs on several through the season in hopes of having an open door come December. One day after analyzing the uncommitted targets, we take a look at the list of viable flip targets.
Good Counsel DE Neeo Avery (Ole Miss): after decommitting from Penn State, Maryland wasn’t a school that was initially expected to be in the mix but gradually over time, Avery made his way to campus. That continues through the fall into this past summer, but the Terps saw him opt for Ole Miss. Even still, outside linebacker coach James Thomas has led the way with others working on him behind the scenes. Avery returned to campus two weeks ago where he got extensive time with the coaching staff ahead of kickoff and left shortly after halftime. Maryland is still kicking the tires, but are in play for the reserved yet explosive four-star. I’m also told parents don’t have a preference for Avery’s ultimate decision but have also been able to build strong connections with the staff. Avery already took an official but close proximity to campus helps while an in-home is very much in play. Avery flashed in his season debut against Gonzaga last weekend.
St. Frances DE Dashawn Womack (LSU): the four-star was initially expected to visit Maryland against Purdue, but opted to visit USC with Greene. He’s a candidate to visit for this weekend’s game against Northwestern with St. Frances on another bye. Womack is publicly close with the Tigers, but behind the scenes hasn’t officially closed his recruitment or cut off contact with other schools. That includes Maryland, along with Texas A&M and Georgia. Maryland is staying in the mix until the offseason, where they’ll look to turn the heat up in their pursuit where they can reiterate the early playing time available.
St. Frances DT Sam Greene (USC): after monitoring the in-state defensive end dating back to the spring, the staff pulled the trigger on a verbal offer earlier this month. He’ll head to campus this weekend where he and head coach Mike Locksley will get a chance to sit down face-to-face. Maryland has a dire need for linemen this cycle and if they opt to push for Greene, they’ll have a chance to flip the Pac-12 verbal.
Essex LB Kamren Robinson (UVA): Maryland had been working since the spring to get involved with the Virginia linebacker and were able to reel him in for a visit. But in the end, it became a Virginia-VT battle with the Hoos winning out. Maryland hasn’t given up with inside linebacker coach leading and were slated to visit campus over the summer, but there was pause. Maryland will need to win mom over to move forward with Virginia’s academics and career opportunities a key selling point.
Hickory TE Rico Walker (UNC): Maryland finished second to North Carolina for the four-star prospect. Walker was a strong possibility to visit Maryland for the Michigan State game but, like Cam Upshaw, Mother Nature changed plans and transportation became tougher. Still, he’s kept in contact with Maryland mainly due to his long-standing relationship with recruiting analyst Gary Wortham Jr., the consistency from receivers coach Gunter Brewer and his genuine connection with head coach Mike Locksley. A return visit is a possibility down the line but nothing set just yet.
Northeast OT Naquil Betrand (Texas A&M): one week after Betrand made his way to campus, Maryland returned the favor and stopped by his school to check on him. Betrand was a target that Maryland hoped to gain traction with given the obvious need for a tackle, but after his transfer to St. Frances fell through, the staff had one less ‘in’ with the 6-foot-7 tackle. Maryland continues to push, but confidence isn’t high in flipping the SEC commit.
Roseville DB Amare Snowden (Cincinnati): Maryland is keeping tabs on Snowden, who emerged in late spring with hopes of pulling out a visit. One catch? Snowden is committed to Cincinnati for both football and baseball. Luckily enough, a source tells IBG that should football bring Snowden in for an eventual visit, Maryland baseball would take a long look at the left-handed pitching prospect. As for now, no plans have been set for a visit to Maryland but tabs are being kept on Snowden’s commitment status.
Taylor County SAF Cam Upshaw (South Carolina): the on-and-off again target, Upshaw intended to visit Maryland for the Michigan State game but Mother Nature deterred plans to make that happen. Upshaw never ended up taking his official visit to Maryland, first planning to unofficially visit then return for a postseason official, but contact remains but is sparse. Upshaw is sidelined for his senior season and the staff reached out to him shortly after the diagnosis. Defensive coordinator Brian Williams and safeties coach Wes Neighbors are the two mainly keeping tabs with Williams having strong ties to Upshaw’s family, but Philly safety Rahmir Stewart is another name to keep tabs on at safety.
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