Maryland is set to host its second-to-last batch of official visitors this month when a long list of targets makes their way to College Park on Thursday. We dive into who is expected on campus and where Maryland stands heading into the weekend:
DeMatha (MD) LB Noah Chambers begins his first of two official visits this weekend, marking the most pivotal stretch in his recruitment as Maryland and Virginia Tech jockey for position (more here). Calvert Hall twins DL Asaiah-Allan Hamond and ATH Alijah Hamond will make their way to campus with the Terps entering the weekend with a chance to close on the in-state targets. The chance for the twins to play at the same school has been the top priority for them, and after Maryland gave both the green light, the Terps have had the edge in his recruitment. The recent addition of both football and basketball teammate, JT Taggart, only helps Maryland’s chances down the stretch with Charlotte, South Carolina and Virginia Tech involved to various degrees thus far. Asaiah’s sheer size at 6-foot-7 has made him a consistent target for Brian Williams since his offer was solidified, and while Alijah will line up as an outside linebacker as a senior, he’s viewed as a potential safety.
Riverdale Baptist (MD) four-star OLB Cortez Harris is coming off his first official visit to Tennessee where the Vols have made themselves a wildcard, but the next two weekends will be big in his recruitment with Maryland this weekend and Penn State next. The Nittany Lions hold a slight edge over the Terps, but Harris’ relationships with assistants James Thomas, Kevin Sumlin and Aazaar Abdul-Rahim have carried weight through the spring.
Mainland (FL) DT Christian Hudson previously made his way to campus this spring and has been a consistent target for assistant James Thomas this cycle as the Terps get a crack at the interior defensive line target. UCF captured early buzz in his recruitment while Iowa State hosted him last weekend and Iowa is set to host him next weekend, but this weekend will give Hudson’s full family a chance to check out College Park as assistant Brian Williams looks to restock his interior line. A big piece of that puzzle also includes Friendship (DC) DT Bryce Jenkins, who returns to College Park after officials to Rutgers and South Carolina. There isn’t much around Maryland that Jenkins isn’t familiar with at this point after acclimating to the ins and outs of the program through multiple spring visits, and the relationship between the four-star and assistant Aazaar Abdul-Rahim is a big reason why. Tennessee continues to trend as Maryland’s biggest competition with an official visit set to Knoxville next weekend ahead of an expected July commitment. As for Hebron (GA) three-star DL Sichan John, his new offer from Georgia hasn’t deterred official visit plans as assistant Lance Thompson has led the way. While the early fit has been pitched, this weekend will give John his first glimpse into campus as the staff shows how the explosive 6-foot-2 lineman fits into Brian Williams’ plans.
Maryland will also see a pair of top targets from Virginia make their way to campus this weekend in Hayfield RB Jeff Overton and Norcom WR Matt Outten. We’ll have more on Overton’s recruitment later on Thursday, but the Terps have made the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year a priority for nearly two years with assistant Latrell Scott leading over the last 15 months, giving the Terps established relationships with the big-play athlete. Virginia Tech is the only school remaining in the mix with an official visit at their disposal, while both South Carolina and Virginia have left their mark, but the Terps will get a chance to point to Roman Hemby’s success in Maryland’s offense to showcase Overton’s impact. And with Nolan Ray entering his second season, DeJuan Williams bouncing back from a lost senior season and Bud Coombs in the fold, Maryland will get its chance to pitch early playing time in the rotation.
Milford Mill (MD) OT Amory Hills has made himself a frequent visitor in Happy Valley in June with his official visit sandwiched between a pair of camps, but he heads into the weekend still uncommitted as assistant Brian Braswell leads the way on the in-state OL target.
After watching several Florida targets make their way to campus last weekend, including one commit in OT Ben Beymer, Maryland will host two more from the Sunshine State this weekend. Fresh off his decommitment from Indiana, St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker Travares Daniels wrapped up an official visit to Georgia Tech last weekend and will head to Maryland this weekend in what Daniels said will be his final visit ahead of his senior season – his late June official visit to Indiana has since been canceled following the latest development. Maryland jumped into the mix for the versatile athlete back in late January before making his early April top five, days before committing to the Hoosiers. A commitment from Daniels isn’t expected until the fall, though Williams’ ties around the rangy linebacker target give the Terps a viable chance heading into the weekend, as do Kevin Sumlin’s ties in Tampa as he leads the way with long Hillsborough LB Kellen Wiley. In-state USF has remained involved through the spring, Florida State has shown interest while Wiley is coming off an official to Toledo and for now, has one set up next weekend to Bowling Green. Maryland has been consistent with the 6-foot-4 inside linebacker target since Sumlin made the trip to see him in-person as this weekend marks his first visit to campus, giving the staff a chance to reel in the underrated athlete.
Maryland will also welcome a handful of its current commits to campus in DT Braheem Battles, IOL Kahlil Stewart, ILB Carlton “CJ” Smith and SAF Julien Horton, who is now a battle for Maryland after slightly opening his recruitment to entertain official visits elsewhere. With an official visit to North Carolina set for next weekend and Michigan now lurking, Maryland will get a chance to reinforce its pitch as an integral homegrown piece to the future of the defense.
Maryland enters the weekend with nine verbal commitments and the 51st-best class nationally according to On3.
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