Maryland Football Recruiting Predictions & Updates

Oct 12, 2013; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) celebrates with students in the stands immediately following the teams 27-26 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Many updates, including where I pick the top prospects to end up.

• 3-star TE Jake Pickard recently visited Ohio State, but it was his visit to Purdue that is more important. With family ties to the Boiler Makers, Pickard said his visit to Purdue went “great.” If Purdue wasn’t recruiting Pickard, I’d think that Maryland has a great chance of signing him, but Purdue is going to be tough to beat. Prediction: Purdue, 70%
• 3-star QB Nick Johns visited VT, Clemson and Georgia this weekend. Johns was in Atlanta last week for the Elite 11 camp where he finished third out of 81^st. He added that he is looking to make a trip back down to Tennessee, who is starting to pick up interest in the junior from Gonzaga. That being said, Johns praises the coaching staff and the program constantly and really believes in the stay-home movement. He’s the Terps to lose at this point. Prediction: Maryland, 75%
• 3-star DE Eric Assoua visited Rutgers on Saturday to take in another practice. Assoua said that Rutgers is at the top of his list and added that Maryland will be heavily considered if the staff increases their interest. Assoua loves the coaches and Rutgers pride, which is why I think the connection will make him commit to the future-Big Ten school. Prediction: Rutgers, 67%
• 3-star G David Robbins visited Ohio State on Saturday, but discussed how his visits to Florida State two weeks ago went “great.” “There wasn’t a single thing that I didn’t like. It was amazing.” Robbins is gaining interest from a lot of the top schools in the nation, but it’s the in-state school that will get him because of proximity to home and improved on-field play. I wouldn’t say it’s a lock, but it’s fairly certain in my mind. Prediction: Maryland, 55%
• 4-star T Isaiah Prince is taking his recruitment slow. Prince doesn’t have any visits scheduled, which may be a good thing. When Prince starts the process, expect Florida to be a big name thrown around. I believe that Maryland is up their on his list, but his lure to SEC seems inevitable. Still very early, but right now, I get the feeling that he will put on a Gator hat when the time comes. Prediction: Florida, 40%
• 2-star S Jameel Cook Jr told me that Maryland is the favorite “as of right now.” Due to track, Cook hasn’t taken many visits, but said that he will “definitely take one during the fall.” I think Cook is a guy that becomes a diamond in the rough for the 2015 class. Oh, and I’m predicting he’s a Terp. Prediction: Maryland, 99%
• 3-star RB Deltron Sands is a guy that genuinely loves Maryland. Despite hearing from other big name schools, Sands has been persistent in telling me that it’s all Maryland right now. I still would be a little worried just because things can always change, but Sands will look to make it official within the next month. Prediction: Maryland, 99%
• 4-star DT Adam McLean has the beginning of another Jalen Tabor. McLean seems to be very high on Maryland, but still has them outside of his top 5. McLean did tell me that his top 5 can change at any point, but I still feel confident with him. I wouldn’t rule out Maryland until National Signing Day, but the Terps are definitely trailing. I believe Michigan State, Florida and Ohio State are above the rest of the pack, though. Prediction: Michigan State, 40%
• 4-star QB Kai Locksley released his top 15 last week: Florida State, Virginia Tech, Miami, Auburn, Oregon, UCLA, Alabama, Maryland, Ohio State, Michigan State, Ole miss, Louisville, Georgia, Northwestern and UNC.  His dad is the offensive coordinator. His familiarity with the program, ability to play early and play for his dad will make him a Terp. I’ll give the other schools some credit because they will give Maryland a run for their money, but it’s not going to be enough. Prediction: Maryland, 95%

New Offers, Visits & Commitments

• 4-star ILB Josh Barajas (IN) committed to Penn State this weekend
• 4-star OLB Manny Bowen (NJ) and 3-star G Ellis McKennie (MD) took a visit to Penn State
• 3-star WR Jabari Greenwood (MD) and 3-star DE Darius Fullwood (MD) visited Ohio State
• 4-star T Quarvez Boulware (MD) visited Wake Forest
• OLB Jordan Fox (NJ) visited Virginia
• 4-star RB Ray-Ray McCloud (FL) visited Florida
• ILB Qaadir Sheppard (NY) visited Syracuse
• 4-star DE Darrell Taylor (VA) took a visit to Maryland
• 2016 WR Trevon Diggs (MD) picked up an offer from Penn State
• 4-star OLB Manny Bowen (NJ) picked up offers from Notre Dame and Penn State
• 4-star DT Elijah Taylor (OH) visited Purdue and picked up an offer from Ohio State
• 3-star DE Jamie Gordinier (NJ) visited Miami and picked up an offer from Michigan State
• 4-star OT Richie Petitbon (MD) picked up an offer from Kentucky
• 4-star RB Myles Hartsfield (NJ) picked up an offer from West Virginia
• WR Rashad Blunt (FL) picked up an offer from South Alabama
• 4-star WR Kemah Siverand (TX) picked up an offer from Maryland
• 2016 OT Clark Yarbrough (VA) picked up an offer from Wake Forest
• 3-star G David Robbins (MD) picked up an offer from FSU
• 4-star OT Grant Newsome (VA) picked up an offer from Wisconsin