Bergen Catholic (NJ) three-star defensive end DJ Samuels announced his commitment to Maryland on Friday evening, giving the Terps a key pledge.
"The stress is over and I can finally move forward," he told Inside the Black and Gold following his announcement.
Samuels, a 6-foot, 240-pound defensive lineman, was a longtime target for Maryland with cornerbacks coach Henry Baker paving the way. Samuels committed to Maryland over Rutgers, Nebraska and West Virginia among others and took an official visit during the final weekend of June. "It was just great, getting to see the campus and outside campus. It really felt like home from every perspective and how coach [Mike] Locksley welcomed me home. After the visit, I just felt like I wanted to shut everything down and just commit."
Baker prioritized Samuels early in the process and that played a hand in his decision. "He played a big role. He was straightforward and told me he was going to recruit me hard and he wanted me at the University of Maryland so it just felt right." He'll join the program as a JACK linebacker. "It fits me perfect. I know that's what I want to do in life and that's going to make me better."
Prioritizing Samuels through the cycle also helped make the commitment possible. "Every place I went, I was just comparing to Maryland. Once I got to Maryland and really see what it was about, nothing compared to Maryland and that's what made me commit and made me feel that was the spot for me," he added. "They told me I was the number one guy on their board and it was the moment of the weekend."
It helped that Samuels and quarterback commit Champ Long are longtime friends. "I’ve known Champ for a while. That’s been my guy. Once he committed, he was on me heavy and told me I need to get to Maryland and when I committed, he was one of the first people I told."
Samuels becomes the 15th commitment for the Terps this cycle and came shortly before cornerback Nasir Addison backed off his pledge to Maryland.
Samuels will also enroll early in College Park.
He is rated a three-star and an 85 overall by On3, sitting as the 19th-best prospect in New Jersey.
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