Five-star Maryland football commit Zion Elee is laughing at fans, planning with Malik Washington"I mean, barely any high recruits do it, so I wanted to be different. And also the relationships I'm building. I have a lot of guys in Maryland that I know. I have a lot of guys that I'm building connections with at Maryland. So, it was already just a family decision..."
Zion Elee sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting universe when he decided to commit to Maryland on Dec. 7.
The five-star edge rusher from Baltimore ranks as the No. 2 player in the country in the Class of 2026, per 247Sports. Elee, who plays at St. Frances Academy, played in the Under Armour Next All-America Game in Deland, Florida, on Thursday afternoon.
Elee joined "Glenn Clark Radio" on Thursday. He was asked what he says to people who are insistent that he is not really committed to Maryland.
"I mean, I kind of just laugh because as the ranking I am. I'm a top five guy in the country. They wouldn't expect me to go to Maryland," Elee said. "So, it's kind of just funny that I'm actually going to be at Maryland, and they're going to all think I'm flipping. I've read the comments of my commitment. I get messages every day telling me, 'Why do I commit to Maryland?' It's my choice. It's your decision to listen to what other people tell you. I just chose to listen to myself and go on what I'm doing for, just ignore everybody."
Elee spoke about playing at the highest level of high school football at St. Frances, the feedback he's gotten from Terps fans, his relationship with Malik Washington and more.
ON HIS TRIP TO ORLANDO
"I mean, it was amazing, man. You know, I got a one-way flight. I know hell of a people at the airport, getting pictures with me and all that waiting for me to come, with Terps helmets and all at the time. It was definitely an opportunity."ON THE LOVE, FEEDBACK HE’S GOTTEN SINCE HE’S COMMITTED TO MARYLAND
"Man, it means a lot. All these people coming out here at the airport with Terp helmets, wanting me to sign and stuff. It definitely shows that we have a real fan base. The Maryland Terps have a support system around them, you know what I'm saying."ON GOING AGAINST TOP COMPETITION IN THE ALL-AMERICAN GAME EXPERIENCE
"I mean, it's definitely a great experience. Knowing I can keep up with these guys, it basically lets me know that we're all in this top caliber of high-level guys, and I'm going to keep playing these guys in the future, maybe even in college too. So, it's just good-on-good work. It's developing me. I'm getting better."ON THIS PAST SEASON AT ST. FRANCES
"The move from Joppa Towne to St. Frances was really like a skill decision, you know what I'm saying. If I wanted to develop and stay true to my, you know what I'm saying, what everybody sees me as, then I need to play at the highest level, play against the highest competition.CONT.
"I got to get better and perform how I'm supposed to. So that was the decision I made to do that, to go from a 1A school to a top team that's traveling to across the country to play teams like Mater Dei and IMG and things like that."ON MIKE LOCKSLEY AND HIS STAFF, WHY IT WAS SUCH A UNIQUE THING FOR HIM TO STAY HOME
"Barely any high recruits do it, so I wanted to be different. And also, the relationships I'm building. I have a lot of guys in Maryland that I know. I have a lot of guys that I'm building connections with at Maryland. So, it was already just a family decision, and my mother wanted me to go there already, so I was just on board with it."ON HOW THE ST. FRANCES EXPERIENCE SETS HIM UP FOR COLLEGE
"Our coaching style, it basically sets us up mentally for the next level. Our coach, Coach J-Dub, our defensive coordinator, Justin Winters, he mentally prepares us for the next level of football. And the way we play is fast and physical, so it's also preparing us physically for the next level of football."ON IF HE KNOWS MALIK WASHINGTON WELL
"Yeah, we've been together, like, for these pasts like three days in Florida. We talked a lot. We talked about Maryland and stuff like that. And before I even, when I committed, we FaceTime, we had a little talk. But now, yeah, we're next to each other and we talk on a daily basis."MORE
On if he and Malik Washington have an opportunity to do something special, maybe rewrite Maryland history: "Yeah, like, we're on the same team, unstoppable. Actually, I've see him play. He's phenomenal. Like, he's a great quarterback. I really believe."On what who aren't familiar with his game should know: "Just defending that corner, getting strip sacks."
On if he's a Ravens fan: "Yeah, I was born and raised in Maryland. I mean, I was born and raised in Baltimore."
