Freshman tight end Rico Walker, Maryland football’s top commit in its 2023 recruiting class, is entering the transfer portal, he announced Friday on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
A four-star recruit out of North Carolina, Walker totaled four catches for 27 yards in eight games this season as the Terps’ No. 3 tight end behind Corey Dyches and redshirt freshman Preston Howard. The 2023 Under Armour All-American became the second underclassman tight end in as many seasons to enter the portal. Then-sophomore CJ Dippre left for Alabama last year.
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Walker’s transfer opens opportunities in the tight end room next season for freshman Dylan Wade and Howard, who combined for 14 catches and 158 yards behind Dyches, an All-Big Ten third team starter. Dyches has not announced whether he’ll return next season.
Walker became the fourth Terp to enter the transfer portal this week, joining offensive lineman Ja’Kavion Nonar and defensive backs Gavin Gibson and Tamarcus Cooley.
Coach Michael Locksley has now had his top recruit in two of his past three recruiting classes enter the transfer portal. Chop Robinson, a five-star in the class of 2021, transferred to Penn State after a year in College Park.
