Maryland football’s future became clearer on Wednesday when 20 commits pledged to the Terps on the class of 2025’s early signing day.
Four-star quarterback Malik Washington was the headliner, firmly committing to Maryland despite attempted flips from other teams. His recruitment was one of the lone bright spots in a down season that gave a jolt to a wearied fanbase.
“He is one of those guys who can transcend,” coach Michael Locksley said. “He never once wavered and to me, the sky’s the limit for his talent level.”
Washington, hailing from local high school Archbishop Spalding, is one in a quartet of four-star recruits the Terps signed in their class. Defensive lineman Bryce Jenkins and athletes Messiah Delhomme and Zymear Smith, all from the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region, each confirmed their commitments.
Similar to past classes, Maryland recruited a number of high level athletes and skill position players. The Terps signed six athletes, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends in the cycle.
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Another strong athlete, Jayden Shipps, also arrives from Spalding. The long and athletic corner is well-versed in Maryland’s scheme and can play multiple positions in the secondary, according to Spalding coach Kyle Schmitt.
The Terps also added four defensive linemen, including Jenkins, who multiple SEC programs sought out. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman is expected to compete for snaps when he arrives in College Park, according to Locksley.
“It’s the heavy handedness of an interior guy that has the twitch,” Locksley said. “He’s one of those guys, a lot like Warren Sapp … He’s a guy that has that twitch inside that most interior defenders don’t have.”
Another player in the trenches, interior offensive lineman Jaylen Gilchrist, affirmed his commitment after rumors he might decommit. Locksley compared him to NFL offensive tackle and former All-American Jedrick Wills.
Maryland holds the No. 27 class in the country, according to 247Sports, the ninth-best class in the Big Ten.
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The Terps will have 11 signees enroll early — Jackson Hamilton, Dante Recker, CJ Smith, Smith, Sidney Stewart, Nahsir Taylor, Iverson Howard, Jenkins, Delhomme, Gilchrist and Washington, according to a press release.
While this group is one of Locksley’s stronger ones, the difference between the 2025 recruits and other classes Locksley has brought in is minimal. This class’s average ranking is 87.5, but the Terps’ average ranking was between 85 and 88 in each of the past five classes, according to 247Sports.
“We’re going to always base ourselves with signing high school players to create the nucleus of our culture,” Locksley said.
Locksley’s newest class centers on Washington. He’s the most important recruit to commit to the Terps in the Locksley era, and this class will likely be judged based on his success.
