Maryland has already added a pair of players in the secondary this offseason after Arkansas State CB Dontay Joyner and Wake Forest CB Jamare Glasker signed with the program, filling a key void to replace the top of the cornerback room. Maryland hasn’t stopped looking at the position with Tennessee DB Christian Harrison among the initial targets, though he’s now locked into four visits with Maryland working to finalize a date, but he isn’t the only name to keep tabs on.
On the final day players were able to enter the portal, NC State saw a wave of entries in the secondary days after DJ Eliot was announced as the new defensive coordinator, replacing Tony Gibson who was named Marshall’s new head coach. Those departures include brief Maryland safety Tamarcus Cooley and target Bishop Fitzgerald, but it also included a rising star in 2024 as cornerback Brandon Cisse was the first to announce his departure.
Cisse previously announced he re-signed with NC State’s collective to return for 2025, but was among the defensive backs to depart. The South Carolina native mainly played in the Packs’ dime package in 2023 before stepping into a feature role in 2024 as he logged 28 total tackles, including 1.5 for a loss with five PBUs in nine games in 2024. He ends his time with the Wolfpack totaling 38 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one interception and six pass deflections where he’s expected to become one of the more sought-after portal defensive backs.
Cisse has three years left to play two, meaning his redshirt season is still available.
While Maryland works to become a player for the ACC star, they'll look to replenish the secondary with sources telling IBG that Maryland has been eliminated from consideration for former William & Mary safety Sascha Garcia. After wrapping up a visit to Wisconsin and Virginia this week, I'm told Garcia is expected to now visit Wake Forest, Syracuse and Iowa next week with weekend visit plans to Maryland scrapped and no longer under consideration. A troubling development in the secondary after Maryland inked Garcia's teammate, Jamare Glasker, two weeks ago with growing buzz around the Terps' chances after picking up the hometown offer. Maryland was also expected to become a contender for Tennessee defensive back Christian Harrison, though one source said plans to visit College Park remain up in the air.