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Writer's pictureAhmed Ghafir
Feb 29

What I'm hearing on Maryland football & recruiting heading into March

The latest premium notes that I'm hearing surrounding Maryland football and the recruiting trail... I mentioned earlier this week in the forum that I expect there to be a departure from the staff and I continue to hear that to be the case with news expected to be finalized tomorrow. I've previously mentioned that I expect OC Josh Gattis back in the fold despite drawing NFL interest, while no changes are expected on the defensive side of the ball or special teams. I've been asked to be patient on releasing additional details and I hope folks understand -- I'll have plenty more details to share tomorrow on where things stand. On the recruiting trail, Wise (MD) four-star DE Trent Wilson has four visits set up beginning in March. He'll head to Oklahoma (March 9), Texas A&M on March 23, Ohio State on March 30 and Penn State on April 13 but I'm hearing he's added a fifth--Nebraska on April 27. Co-DCs Brian Williams and Aazaar Abdul-Rahim have led the way for the top local target over the last year as head coach Mike Locksley has made the 6-foot-2, 260-pound lineman a priority, but Maryland has work to do to break into the top of his list with NIL a top focus for the elite local edge rusher. While Maryland looks to keep Wilson home, Maryland should have a shot at another local blue-chipper with the Terps on the shortlist to receive an official visit from five-star safety Faheem Delane, who I've heard is eyeing an early June official visit to College Park. I wouldn't expect a coaching departure to hurt Maryland's chances with four-star receiver Lex Cyrus with an official visit still in the cards, but all eyes are on Penn State with him heading into March. Meanwhile, I expect Maryland to get an official visit from Ohio State four-star verbal Blake Woodby with the Terps among the top teams vying to flip him, while Oregon and Virginia Tech are firmly in the mix. Friendship (DC) four-star DT Bryce Jenkins tells me he has not yet set up visits, which will include Maryland, heading into spring as the Terps remain a factor. Quince Orchard (MD) four-star RB Iverson Howard kicked off the new year with a top ten, but as for where his recruitment sits, that remains anyone's guess. Georgia has long been Howard's dream school, but the Bulldogs have attention focused elsewhere while Georgia wasn't included in Howard's top ten. The vibe from multiple contacts involved in Howard's recruitment believe he's genuinely wide open and not leaning toward any particular school. As for inside the building, offseason workouts are in full effect with February marking 'Terp Time' for the team. I mentioned that I've heard fifth-year linebacker Ruben Hyppolite step up as a leader in workouts, which isn't exactly a surprise given the maturity he's shown dating back to his time as a coveted recruit out of McArthur (FL). I've also heard that redshirt freshman Neeo Avery has been full go in workouts as the spring marks his first chance to make himself a factor in the outside linebacker room and the overwhelming expectation is that Avery becomes a key piece in the rotation alongside Donnell Brown and Kellan Wyatt. It's early in terms of standouts and tangible takeaways with the team still in shorts and T-shirts for now, but freshman RB DeJuan Williams's maturity impressing many inside of the building, while LB Anthony Reddick is rehabbing his minor hand injury with both freshmen expected to take part in spring ball in at least limited capacity. Director of strength & conditioning coach Ryan Davis gave a shoutout to Tai Felton, Hyppolite, Tamarus Walker, Dante Trader Jr., Jack Howes, Darius Grimes, Lavain Scruggs, Caleb Wheatland, AJ Szymanski, Jordan Phillips and Kellan Wyatt as 'Iron Terp' winners during workouts over the last two weeks.

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