Maryland football secured its second commitment in a three-day span for the class of 2019 with three-star offensive tackle Mason Lunsford, who announced via Twitter on Friday his verbal commitment.
After a great home visit yesterday with @PapuchisJohn I am proud to say I AM 100% COMMITED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND❗️????❗️???? Thank you @CoachLocks for believing in me! pic.twitter.com/cYNK8wb9wz
— Mason Lunsford (@lunsford_mason) December 14, 2018
For coach Mike Locksley — who took over a program with just eight three-star recruits in a 2019 class slimmed down after a year of off-field turmoil — Lunsford is the lone offensive lineman in the now 10-man class. According to 247sports, Maryland’s 2019 recruiting class remains last in the Big Ten while improving to No. 77 in the country.
Lunsford attends Good Counsel in Olney, where he was a first-team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference selection in 2018. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman is ranked the No. 24 player in the state and No. 122 offensive tackle in the country, per 247Sports. Lunsford said he will sign his National Letter of Intent with the Terps next week as the early signing period opens Dec. 19.
[Read more: Mike Locksley flips 4-star wideout for first commitment as Maryland football coach]
As the early signing period approaches, Locksley’s task to build up his 2019 class is exacerbated by his prep for Alabama’s College Football Playoff against Oklahoma. After Locksley gave Lunsford an offer Dec. 11, John Papuchis visited Lunsford on Thursday, helping to sway Lunsford away from Air Force, Army, Virginia and Massachusetts.
Papuchis, a former defensive coordinator at North Carolina, is reportedly joining Locksley’s staff as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach, but no official announcement has been made.
[Read more: Can Mike Locksley rescue Maryland football’s 2019 recruiting class?]
Lunsford is a solid contribution to a recruiting class previously bare of offensive lineman. Maryland’s offensive line relied heavily on seniors Damian Prince, Derwin Gray, Brendan Moore and Sean Christie this season. While Johnny Jordan, Marcus Minor and Ellis McKennie could be due to move into starting roles, Lunsford provides depth at the tackle position.
On Wednesday, four-star wideout Isaiah Hazel flipped his commitment from West Virginia to Maryland, the first local product to seemingly react to Locksley’s hiring. Now, Lunsford marks the second commitment of Locksley’s tenure.