Maryland Football Recruiting Scoop: The next huge splash?
It's been a busy stretch for Maryland football, highlighted by Mike Locksley announcing a revamped staff and five-star commit Zion Elee closing down his recruitment and focusing on the Terps. What could be the next big news?
It's been a busy stretch for Maryland football, highlighted by Mike Locksley announcing a revamped staff and five-star commit Zion Elee closing down his recruitment and focusing on the Terps. What could be the next big news?
I'm entering a Crystal Ball selection for Maryland with a confidence score of seven in the recruitment of another five-star, Georgetown Prep (Md.) phenom Immanuel Iheanacho. Iheanacho, the No. 5 player and No. 2 offensive tackle in 247Sports' Class of 2026 recruiting rankings, Locksley has prioritized Iheanacho since Elee committed in December, and Maryland has been climbing his list throughout, with Iheanacho naming the Terps his No. 1 choice last week over Georgia, Oregon, Penn State and Alabama. He's previously named Oregon as his top choice.
"Oregon is really No. 2 at the moment," he told 247Sports' Brian Dohn. "Maryland is my No. 1. Penn State is my No. 3, and 'Bama is my No. 4 at the moment, if I had to give my top four schools, and my fifth school is probably Georgia. I like Maryland a lot."
Multiple sources said Iheanacho is leaning strongly toward Maryland. It won't be surprising if he publicly commits to the Terps this spring, though perhaps not until he takes his official in June. But regardless of timing, there's a lot of reason for optimism about Maryland reeling in the mammoth 6-6, 345-pound lineman joining Maryland's 2026 class.
Locksley is replicating his recruiting roadmap from last season, when he focused on prized quarterback Malik Washington, got his commitment and then parlayed that buzz and credibility into a bunch of other big commitments. Elee is this year's Washington, and he recently closed his recruitment, canceling several official visits to other schools.
"Zion Elee is committed. Once he did that, that inspired me. They were in my top 10 regardless, but they moved into my top five after Zion committed," he told 247Sports' Tom Loy earlier this month. "They're home ... Distance isn't really a big thing to me, but the thought of being able to stay home and win a Big Ten championship for Maryland, for my city, for my state, it means a lot. I want to do that around the right guys."
A quick refresher from my recent reporting:
In the 247Sports Composite Rankings, which factor in other mainstream sites' rankings, the Iheanacho is the No. 3 prospect in the country and Elee is No. 4. Maryland rarely signs top 50 national prospects, let alone top five prospects. Getting two of them in the same class would he a historic haul for the program, and it doesn't hurt that they play two of the sport's most important positions. And two spots where the program has often had trouble keeping up with its Big Ten peers: pass rushing and blocking.
Iheanacho has visits planned, but there's some shuffling. Via Dohn:
Emmanuel Iheanacho's 247Sports scouting report and highlight video:
"A supremely powerful offensive lineman who wears his verified 6-foot-6.5, 350-pound listing extremely well. Owns some of the longest arms in the 2026 cycle and has better-than-expected lower body explosiveness at his size. Primarily works at offensive tackle but will likely be limited to the right side or could even slide inside to IOL depending on how his body develops over the next few years. Presents an incredibly difficult problem for opposing front seven defenders to solve thanks to his massive reach and top-tier power in the hands that can flatten well-put-together defensive linemen. Will need to improve his ankle and hip flexibility, but even with some stiffness in his lower half is still athletic enough to dominate on both Friday nights and the offseason camp circuit. Checks multi-sport boxes with skillful basketball tape. Rare elite football prospect that boards at the renowned Georgetown Preparatory School. Somebody defenders look to avoid in the run game, especially at the second level. Could potentially become an immediate impact player for a college football playoff contender in the run game. Should be viewed as an intriguing option at RT or IOL with plenty of long-term NFL Draft upside that pairs nicely with ready to contribute heft."
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