COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland Head Coach DJ Durkin announced that 22 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football for the Terrapins during the early signing period, which began on Wednesday. Maryland’s class is currently ranked among the Top 25 classes in the nation, setting it up to be the first time in school history that the Terps have signed back-to-back Top 25 classes.
The class includes five consensus four-star signees and two members of the ESPN300. The class is ranked No. 18 by Rivals, No. 19 by Scout/247 Sports and No. 21 by ESPN.
The 22 student-athletes hail from six different states and the District of Columbia. The signing class is highlighted by 15 players who attended high school in the DMV area and nine players who earned All-MET honors.
Four of the Top 10 and eight of the Top 25 players from the state of Maryland signed with the Terps (per Rivals). Additionally, two of the Top 10 players from Washington D.C. and four of the Top 20 players from Virginia also pledged to play at Maryland.
The remainder of Maryland’s 2018 signing class will be announced on February 7.
Jalen Alexander
Defensive Lineman
Fr.-HS, 6-4, 295
Chesapeake, Va. (Western Branch HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … ranked the 10th overall player in the state of Virginia by Rivals … ranked No. 8 among the Virginia-Pilot’s Top-50 senior recruits... also received offers from Oklahoma, Georgia and Auburn … coached by Greg Gibson.
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Jimmy Brumbaugh on Alexander:“Jalen has the size and quickness to be a 4-technique, 3-technique for us. He has the ability to rush the passer, but also hold the point. He’s a great person, great kid. He has a passion for the game and is constantly studying the game and finding ways to improve.”
Nihym Anderson
Linebacker
Fr.-HS, 6-1, 226
Vineland, N.J. (Vineland South HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the 21st overall recruit in the state of New Jersey by 247Sports ... a two-time Press of Atlantic City All-Star … had 64 tackles, seven sacks and recovered three fumbles as a senior … totaled 48 tackles and 13 sacks as a junior … also rushed for two touchdowns and caught 16 passes for 389 yards and five touchdowns as a junior … helped lead Vineland to an 8-2 record back-to-back seasons as a junior and senior … also recruited by Pitt, Minnesota and Syracuse … coached by Dan Russo.
Linebackers Coach Matt Barnes on Anderson:“Nihym is an unbelievable athlete for his size. He’s physically dominant and extremely productive on both sides of the ball as a high school player. He has the raw materials and work ethic to excel in the Big Ten.”
Spencer Anderson
Offensive Lineman
Fr.-HS, 6-5, 290
District Heights, Md. (Bishop McNamara HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the 16th overall player in the state of Maryland by 247Sports … an Honorable Mention All-Metro selection as a senior … also received offers from North Carolina, Pitt, and Wake Forest … coached by Keita Malloy
Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell on Anderson:“Spencer has great feet and could really play almost anywhere on the line. He’s an incredibly versatile piece. He’s one of the best guys we’ve had in two years of camps here.”
Tyler Baylor
BUCK
Fr.-HS, 6-4, 230
Olney, Md. (Good Counsel HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the ninth overall player in the state of Maryland by Rivals … an Honorable Mention All-Metro selection and Second Team All-WCAC selection as a senior … did not play football in high school until his junior season … chose Maryland over Georgia, Louisville, and Tennessee… coached by Andy Stefanelli.
Personal: The grandson of Basketball Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, who was an 11-time NBA All-Star.
Defensive Coordinator Andy Buh on Baylor:“Tyler’s a local talent. He has a great deal of raw skills that we feel we can develop. He’s long, quick-twitch and has pass rush ability. With his size and strength, we feel that he can develop into a dynamic pass rusher.”
Raymond Boone
Defensive Back
Fr.-HS, 6-0, 198
Greenbelt, Md. (Eleanor Roosevelt HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the 16th overall recruit in the state of Maryland by Rivals … a First Team All-Metro selection as a senior, catching five touchdowns and picking off three passes … a Honorable Mention All-Metro selection as a junior … totaled 760 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior … also received offers from Virginia Tech, Pitt and NC State … coached by Tom Green
Defensive Backs Coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim on Boone:“Raymond is extremely competitive and plays aggressive. He’s a super athlete, two-way player. He has tremendous ball skills, can take the ball out of the air and create turnovers. Raymond is someone that can mentally come in and play with a great deal of confidence.”
TJ Bradley
Offensive Lineman
So.-Junior College Transfer, 6-7, 285
Leesburg, Va. (Tuscarora HS) / Lackawanna CC
Before Maryland: A three-star recruit from Lackawanna Community College … only played one season of high school football (as a freshman) … took a redshirt season at Lackawanna in 2016 … helped lead Lackawanna to a 7-2 record in 2017 and was coached by former Maryland football player, Mark Duda … also had offers from Penn State, West Virginia and Minnesota.
Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell on Bradley:“TJ is incredibly long and athletic. He’s going to be a great edge player for us. I expect him to excel in pass protection.”
Chance Campbell
Linebacker
Fr.-HS, 6-2, 225
Towson, Md. (Calvert Hall College)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets ... rated the 20th overall player in the state of Maryland by Rivals … a First Team All-MIAA A Conference selection as a junior … also received offers from Pitt, Michigan State, Navy and Harvard … helped lead Calvert Hall’s lacrosse team to an MIAA Conference title as a junior … coached by Donald Davis.
Linebackers Coach Matt Barnes on Campbell:“Chance has all of the measurable and immeasurable qualities that you would want in a Big Ten linebacker. He’s a student of the game – loves watching film and is an absolute gym rat. He’s shown tremendous leadership qualities throughout his athletic career.”
Brian Cobbs
Wide Receiver
Fr.-HS, 6-1, 200
Alexandria, Va. (Hayfield HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets ... rated the 18th overall player in the state of Virginia by Rivals … a 2017 First Team All-Metro selection … caught 39 passes for nine touchdowns and rushed for 11 touchdowns as a senior … also threw for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns in four starts at quarterback as a senior … helped lead Hayfield to an 8-3 record in 2017 … selected to the All-Metro Second Team as a junior … coached by Eric Henderson.
Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach Chris Beatty on Cobbs:“Brian is extremely smooth and has great ball skills. He’s very mature and a first-class person.”
Byron Cowart
Defensive Lineman
Jr.-TR, 6-4, 270
Seffner, Fla. (Armwood HS) / Auburn
As a junior at Auburn (2017): Departed Auburn early in the fall semester and enrolled at Hillsborough Community College…is expected to graduate in January.
As a sophomore at Auburn (2016)
layed in 10 games at defensive end, totaling six tackles … forced a Texas A&M fumble … two tackles against ULM … TFL, two tackles against Arkansas … missed Alabama A&M, Alabama games with injury.
As a freshman at Auburn (2015): True freshman who was in the rotation at defensive end … played in every game, totaling six tackles … saw first action against Louisville, assisting on two tackles … tackle, two QB hurries vs. Idaho ... Academic Top Tiger.
At Armwood High School: Nation’s top defensive prospect … led the Armwood Hawks to the state championship game as a junior and senior … 185 career tackles, 29 sacks … Under Armour All-America Game … nation’s top-ranked recruit by ESPN and Rivals … Scout and 247 Sports rank him first among recruits at his position nationally … USA Today All-USA … Florida Class 6A player of the year … Tampa Bay Times Blue Chipper of the Year … PrepStar top 10 … also a basketball and track letterman.
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Jimmy Brumbaugh on Cowart:“Byron has great length and gives us a pass rush ability off the edge. He also has good girth. His experience at the collegiate level will really help us.”
The class includes five consensus four-star signees and two members of the ESPN300. The class is ranked No. 18 by Rivals, No. 19 by Scout/247 Sports and No. 21 by ESPN.
The 22 student-athletes hail from six different states and the District of Columbia. The signing class is highlighted by 15 players who attended high school in the DMV area and nine players who earned All-MET honors.
Four of the Top 10 and eight of the Top 25 players from the state of Maryland signed with the Terps (per Rivals). Additionally, two of the Top 10 players from Washington D.C. and four of the Top 20 players from Virginia also pledged to play at Maryland.
The remainder of Maryland’s 2018 signing class will be announced on February 7.
Jalen Alexander
Defensive Lineman
Fr.-HS, 6-4, 295
Chesapeake, Va. (Western Branch HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … ranked the 10th overall player in the state of Virginia by Rivals … ranked No. 8 among the Virginia-Pilot’s Top-50 senior recruits... also received offers from Oklahoma, Georgia and Auburn … coached by Greg Gibson.
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Jimmy Brumbaugh on Alexander:“Jalen has the size and quickness to be a 4-technique, 3-technique for us. He has the ability to rush the passer, but also hold the point. He’s a great person, great kid. He has a passion for the game and is constantly studying the game and finding ways to improve.”
Nihym Anderson
Linebacker
Fr.-HS, 6-1, 226
Vineland, N.J. (Vineland South HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the 21st overall recruit in the state of New Jersey by 247Sports ... a two-time Press of Atlantic City All-Star … had 64 tackles, seven sacks and recovered three fumbles as a senior … totaled 48 tackles and 13 sacks as a junior … also rushed for two touchdowns and caught 16 passes for 389 yards and five touchdowns as a junior … helped lead Vineland to an 8-2 record back-to-back seasons as a junior and senior … also recruited by Pitt, Minnesota and Syracuse … coached by Dan Russo.
Linebackers Coach Matt Barnes on Anderson:“Nihym is an unbelievable athlete for his size. He’s physically dominant and extremely productive on both sides of the ball as a high school player. He has the raw materials and work ethic to excel in the Big Ten.”
Spencer Anderson
Offensive Lineman
Fr.-HS, 6-5, 290
District Heights, Md. (Bishop McNamara HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the 16th overall player in the state of Maryland by 247Sports … an Honorable Mention All-Metro selection as a senior … also received offers from North Carolina, Pitt, and Wake Forest … coached by Keita Malloy
Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell on Anderson:“Spencer has great feet and could really play almost anywhere on the line. He’s an incredibly versatile piece. He’s one of the best guys we’ve had in two years of camps here.”
Tyler Baylor
BUCK
Fr.-HS, 6-4, 230
Olney, Md. (Good Counsel HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the ninth overall player in the state of Maryland by Rivals … an Honorable Mention All-Metro selection and Second Team All-WCAC selection as a senior … did not play football in high school until his junior season … chose Maryland over Georgia, Louisville, and Tennessee… coached by Andy Stefanelli.
Personal: The grandson of Basketball Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, who was an 11-time NBA All-Star.
Defensive Coordinator Andy Buh on Baylor:“Tyler’s a local talent. He has a great deal of raw skills that we feel we can develop. He’s long, quick-twitch and has pass rush ability. With his size and strength, we feel that he can develop into a dynamic pass rusher.”
Raymond Boone
Defensive Back
Fr.-HS, 6-0, 198
Greenbelt, Md. (Eleanor Roosevelt HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the 16th overall recruit in the state of Maryland by Rivals … a First Team All-Metro selection as a senior, catching five touchdowns and picking off three passes … a Honorable Mention All-Metro selection as a junior … totaled 760 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior … also received offers from Virginia Tech, Pitt and NC State … coached by Tom Green
Defensive Backs Coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim on Boone:“Raymond is extremely competitive and plays aggressive. He’s a super athlete, two-way player. He has tremendous ball skills, can take the ball out of the air and create turnovers. Raymond is someone that can mentally come in and play with a great deal of confidence.”
TJ Bradley
Offensive Lineman
So.-Junior College Transfer, 6-7, 285
Leesburg, Va. (Tuscarora HS) / Lackawanna CC
Before Maryland: A three-star recruit from Lackawanna Community College … only played one season of high school football (as a freshman) … took a redshirt season at Lackawanna in 2016 … helped lead Lackawanna to a 7-2 record in 2017 and was coached by former Maryland football player, Mark Duda … also had offers from Penn State, West Virginia and Minnesota.
Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell on Bradley:“TJ is incredibly long and athletic. He’s going to be a great edge player for us. I expect him to excel in pass protection.”
Chance Campbell
Linebacker
Fr.-HS, 6-2, 225
Towson, Md. (Calvert Hall College)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets ... rated the 20th overall player in the state of Maryland by Rivals … a First Team All-MIAA A Conference selection as a junior … also received offers from Pitt, Michigan State, Navy and Harvard … helped lead Calvert Hall’s lacrosse team to an MIAA Conference title as a junior … coached by Donald Davis.
Linebackers Coach Matt Barnes on Campbell:“Chance has all of the measurable and immeasurable qualities that you would want in a Big Ten linebacker. He’s a student of the game – loves watching film and is an absolute gym rat. He’s shown tremendous leadership qualities throughout his athletic career.”
Brian Cobbs
Wide Receiver
Fr.-HS, 6-1, 200
Alexandria, Va. (Hayfield HS)
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets ... rated the 18th overall player in the state of Virginia by Rivals … a 2017 First Team All-Metro selection … caught 39 passes for nine touchdowns and rushed for 11 touchdowns as a senior … also threw for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns in four starts at quarterback as a senior … helped lead Hayfield to an 8-3 record in 2017 … selected to the All-Metro Second Team as a junior … coached by Eric Henderson.
Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach Chris Beatty on Cobbs:“Brian is extremely smooth and has great ball skills. He’s very mature and a first-class person.”
Byron Cowart
Defensive Lineman
Jr.-TR, 6-4, 270
Seffner, Fla. (Armwood HS) / Auburn
As a junior at Auburn (2017): Departed Auburn early in the fall semester and enrolled at Hillsborough Community College…is expected to graduate in January.
As a sophomore at Auburn (2016)
layed in 10 games at defensive end, totaling six tackles … forced a Texas A&M fumble … two tackles against ULM … TFL, two tackles against Arkansas … missed Alabama A&M, Alabama games with injury.As a freshman at Auburn (2015): True freshman who was in the rotation at defensive end … played in every game, totaling six tackles … saw first action against Louisville, assisting on two tackles … tackle, two QB hurries vs. Idaho ... Academic Top Tiger.
At Armwood High School: Nation’s top defensive prospect … led the Armwood Hawks to the state championship game as a junior and senior … 185 career tackles, 29 sacks … Under Armour All-America Game … nation’s top-ranked recruit by ESPN and Rivals … Scout and 247 Sports rank him first among recruits at his position nationally … USA Today All-USA … Florida Class 6A player of the year … Tampa Bay Times Blue Chipper of the Year … PrepStar top 10 … also a basketball and track letterman.
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Jimmy Brumbaugh on Cowart:“Byron has great length and gives us a pass rush ability off the edge. He also has good girth. His experience at the collegiate level will really help us.”
