Maryland football received a verbal commitment from three-star defensive tackle Jalen Alexander on Thursday. Alexander becomes the 21st member of Maryland’s 2018 recruiting class.

The Terps beat out Georgia Tech, N.C. State and North Carolina for the Chesapeake, Virginia native.

The 6-foot-4, 288-pound defensive lineman plays for Western Branch High School in Chesapeake. He is ranked 247Sports’ No. 105 defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 28 overall recruit in the state.

Alexander made an unofficial visit to Maryland in February, sparking his interest in joining the Terps, according to 247Sports.

Maryland now has the nation’s 17th best recruiting class. Alexander’s pledge bolsters a defensive class that includes four-star tackle Austin Fontaine (DeMatha High School) and three-star defensive end Tyler Baylor (Good Counsel High School).

Maryland has also offered four-star defensive end Eyabi Anoma. Anoma is a local product out of St. Frances High School in Baltimore and is the No. 57 prospect and the No. 3 defensive end in the country. Alabama, Michigan, Penn State and Texas are also courting the lineman.