Maryland has already welcomed 11 of its 20 signees in the 2025 class to campus as early enrollees with QB Malik Washington headlining the group, and with class and player rankings now finalized, head coach Mike Locksley found his class just outside ESPN’s updated top 25.
The Terps checked in 26th nationally and eighth in the Big Ten with ESPN grading four-star OL Jaylen Gilchrist and DL Bryce Jenkins as the highest-rated signee on offense and defense.
ESPN: “Good recruiting starts at home, and while it has been difficult to defend the DMV recruiting turf that surrounds the Terrapins, they have won some key battles to keep top talent at home,” ESPN wrote. “In-state ESPN 300 QB Malik Washington gives them a player with a big frame to develop who also possesses a strong arm and can be dangerous when he runs, having been measured hitting over 21 mph in game play. Zymear Smith, who looked like a steal for Alabama when the Tide initially landed him, has decided to stay home, which is a huge win for the Terps. A prospect who could project to CB, he looks poised to be used on offense as a versatile weapon that could be utilized at RB or WR. As a junior, he had more than 600 yards rushing and nearly 400 receiving while accounting for double-digit TDs between offense and special teams. Another in-state pickup is Iverson Howard, a thickly built and muscular back with good speed of his own, having consistently been clocked hitting 21 mph himself. Out of local power DeMatha, multisport athlete (baseball) Bud Coombs is a runner with good quickness and further adds to the talent in the backfield. On defense Bryce Jenkins, out of Washington, D.C., is a massive presence at well over 300 pounds with an over 80-inch wingspan.”
Maryland will hope to add one more to its class as they battle Florida State for Imhotep (Pa.) four-star edge Zahir Mathis, who will wrap up his recruitment with an official visit to College Park this weekend. Still, the Terps put together arguably their most complete class of the Mike Locksley era.
On3 proved to be most bearish among the outlets on Maryland’s signed class after checking in at 36th nationally, compared to 33rd on Rivals and 29th on 247. Mike Locksley and his staff still find the Terps just outside the top-25 in On3’s transfer portal rankings, which factors in offseason attrition and signings. The Terps checked in 26th nationally and ninth in the Big Ten behind Oregon, Rutgers, Michigan, UCLA, Minnesota, Washington, Ohio State and Michigan State.
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Follow us on YouTubeESPN ranks Maryland football's signed 2025 class just outside top-25