2026 five-star edge Zion Elee may have only recorded one sack and one forced fumble in Thursday's Under Armour All-America game, but the Saint Frances blue-chip prospect proved himself among the top pass rushers in the country against the nation's top talent as the 6-foot-3, 220-pound commit was a constant disruptor in the backfield. It's also a big reason why Elee entered the 2026 cycle as one of the most coveted prospects in the country, but he became the highest-rated prospect and third top-ten prospect to commit after announcing his decision to stay home. With Maryland fending off early, yet heavy interest from Oregon and Ohio State among others, Elee joined GCR to talk about the strength of his commitment, what he's bringing to College Park and his experience in Orlando:
On the trip in Orlando for the Under Armour All-America Game
“I mean, it was amazing, man. You know, I got a one-way flight, hella at that airport getting pictures with me and all that waiting for me to come with Terps helmets and all at the time. It was definitely an opportunity.”
On battling against a different level of competition
“I mean, it's definitely a great experience knowing I can keep up with these guys and basically letting me know that we're all in this top caliber of high-level guys. I'm going to keep playing these guys in the future, maybe even in college too. So it's just good-on-good work. It develops me. I’m getting better.”
On the move from Joppatowne to Saint Frances
“The move from Joppatowne to Saint Frances was really like a skill decision. If I wanted to develop and stay true to my what everybody sees me as and I need to play at the highest level, play against the highest competition. You know, I got to get better and perform how I'm supposed to. So that was the decision I made to do that, to go from a 1A school to a top team that's traveling over across the country like Mater Dei and IMG [Academy].”
On his first season at Saint Frances
“Our coaching style basically sets us up mentally for the next level. You know, our coach, Coach J-Dub, our defensive coordinator, Justin Winters, he mentally prepares us for the next level of football. Ad the way we play is fast and physical so it's also preparing us physically for the next level of football.”
On what it’s meant to get love for the hometown program
“It means a lot. All these people coming out here at the airport with Terp helmets wanting me to sign and stuff. You know, it definitely shows that we have a real fan base. Maryland Terps have a support system around them.”
On when people question his commitment status:
“I mean, I kind of just laugh because, you know, as the ranking I am, you know, I'm a top-five guy in the country, you know, they wouldn't expect me to go to Maryland. So it's kind of just funny that I'm actually going to be at Maryland and they're going to all think I'm flipping. I read the comments on my commitment. I get messages every day telling me, why did I commit to Maryland? It's my choice…I just chose to listen to myself and go on what I'm doing.”
On what it was about Maryland that made him want to commit
“I mean, barely any high recruits do it so I wanted to be different. And also the relationships I'm building. I have a lot of guys in Maryland that I know. I have a lot of guys that I'm building connections with at Maryland. So it was already just a family decision. My mother wanted me to go there already, so I was just on board with her.”
On his relationship with QB Malik Washington
“We've been together, like, for these past, like, three days in Florida. We talked a lot, talked about Maryland and stuff like that. Before that, even when I committed, we FaceTimed, had a little talk. But now, like, yeah, like we're next to each other and we talk on a daily basis.”
On the opportunity to team up to do something special at Maryland
“Yeah. We’re on the same team, Unstoppable. Actually, I see him play. He's phenomenal, like, he's a great quarterback. I really believe it.”
On his game
“I’m going to be bending that corner and getting strip sacks.”
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