Maryland Football Scoop: Transfers, Five-Star Coming to Town | QB Shopping | Who Else Could Depart?
The lid blew off of the transfer portal situation at Maryland on Thursday with the news that Billy Edwards Jr. will transfer. What's next with the Terps' other big names? Which transfers and blue-chip high school recruits are coming to campus? Here's the scoop.
The lid blew off of the transfer portal situation at Maryland on Thursday with the news that Billy Edwards Jr. will transfer. What's next with the Terps' other big names? Who might be coming, and which big names are on campus today. Here's the latest scoop.
First, on the quarterback situation: Mike Locksley had a list of quarterbacks to pursue going into this, knowing Edwards could leave. It's also apparent Michigan has been eyeing him since well before he entered the portal. But they're keeping a close lid on those options, as they are with much of their portal activity to keep other programs from knowing who they're targeting. Coaches everywhere are also concerned about their current players knowing who's visiting and how much money is on the table. This whole new marketplace is like a spy game.
I expect Locksley to take one quarterback from the portal, likely a veteran capable of starting and upgrading the position in the event Malik Washington isn't able to start as a true freshman, which very few true freshmen are capable of. Dylan Raiola, for example, was the No. 1 recruit in the country and finished with 12 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions this season. Washington will have a chance, but Maryland needs a capable veteran.
I don't believe they'll pursue Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren. The Baltimore native showed some things as a true freshman, but he's only a year ahead of Washington, so there's too much overlap. As reported earlier, they also like the potential of freshman Khristian Martin, a big kid with a big arm, but as we've seen with others like Cam Edge, that potential only provides a possibility he could become the guy.
In terms of the transfer targets we know about, I think NIU transfer Amariyun Knighten is at or near the top of the priority list. He's a popular prospect, but Maryland desperately needs a couple of starter-quality corners and views him as one. He'll visit next weekend. Maryland is also expected to host former Akron tackle Jayvin James (interview here). Another defensive back likely visiting: Arkansas State safety Dontay Joyner, a Florida native who posted 50 tackles, seven passes defended and two interceptions this season.
Newly committed five-star Zion Elee is on campus today. In speaking with a source close to Elee, it was apparent he gave the Terps this commitment some time ago but was keeping it under wraps. His announcement was unexpected, but I don't think they were in a position to scold the nation's No. 2 player for letting the cat out of the bag abruptly. They did the same with Washington, who was silently committed for a while before he announced.
Elee is focused on fellow five-star Immanuel Iheanacho, the nation's No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 5 player overall in 2026 with him. Iheanacho just released a top 16, which could indicate he's a way from deciding, but you never know these days. As we discussed on IMS Radio, Maryland football having two top five national commitments would be uncharted territory. Iheanacho is expected to visit today, and he's not the only blue-chip underclassmen expected to be on campus. So will Myles McAfee, Washington's former teammate at Spalding. McAfee is the No. 51 player and No. 8 receiver in the 2027 class and the top-ranked sophomore in Maryland.
"Maryland's getting the best quarterback in the nation," McAfee told IMS in the fall. "Maryland is a great place. They seem authentic and they want to keep getting better, That's the biggest thing ... Me and coach Locks are really cool. He's serious, but he likes to joke sometimes too."
I'm keeping close tabs on Roman Hemby and Preston Howard. The roster seems to have enough running back talent to absorb a Hemby departure if he goes, though it's possible they could see the need for one depth guy if he leaves. At tight end, they have two transfers scheduled to visit: Iowa's Grant Leeper on Dec. 17 and Purdue's Tayvion the following day (more here). Blocking was not a strength at that position this year, contributing to the offensive line's struggles, and it's a priority to improve that.
Which position is Maryland not actively shopping? Linebacker. That's viewed as the most talent-laden position, with standouts Caleb Wheatland and Kellan Wyatt returning along with physical specimens Daniel Wingate and Michael Harris, a pair of second-year players who look like future stars. If I had to name one guy in the program who isn't a household name but is most likely to become one, it would be Wingate. He's 6-4, 231 pounds and super-physical and explosive.
