The Maryland Terrapins got a surprise commitment earlier this month when 2026 five-star recruit Zion Elee committed to the program, staying true to his hometown team.
Well, even Elee himself was surprised at the decision, but the timing and moment felt right for the No. 2 recruit in the cycle, leading to the early commitment.
“It definitely surprised me,” Elee said about making the decision. “[Head Coach Mike Locksley] was definitely very surprised I committed. That’s what it was like. He said [Under Armour CEO] Kevin Plank called him and told him the news, actually, and they were just really surprised that I actually committed. I told him a week before I actually committed, but he didn’t believe me.”
What ultimately led Elee to commit to Maryland?
“I see the legacy I could make,” Elee said. “I’ve seen how other guys were staying home, especially, like high school [players]. A lot of guys had the opportunity to transfer to a bigger school after getting all these offers, and they stayed at their school trying to make an impact.
“I definitely like their campus. I like how they practice. Very simple, very easy. I like the coaches, too. That’s the main thing about it. I really like the coaches. We all connect. We’re from Maryland. Me and [co-defensive coordinator] Aazaar [Abdul-Rahim], we’re from Maryland, so we connect. It definitely has a different feel to me. Staying home obviously would feel the best. Everybody that you know is around you.”
While Elee has committed to the Terrapins and has remained firm to that decision, there are still a number of top schools actively recruiting the five-star recruit, pushing for a flip.
Although he won’t take any more unofficial visits, Elee shared that the Penn State Nittany Lions, Oregon Ducks and Alabama Crimson Tide will get official visits in the summer.
What stands out about the three other top contenders?
On Oregon: “What excites me about the Ducks is obviously their winning program. They have a huge staff. Like they know what they’re doing. Obviously they’re winning and they have a really big, really big school, very nice program…I think they’re so successful because their head coach. They have great connections, like Phil Knight, you know what I’m saying? They’re head donor is Nike. They got everything you would want. They got everything you need.”
On Penn State: “Their connections with edge rushers, how they develop edge rushers. Their history in edge rusher. They have a very firm history, great rushers that are in the league right now, dominating the league.”
On Alabama: “It was really just a favorite school. I want to get down there, see what it’s like in person. I was in communication with the general manager and the defensive end coach, but from time to time, I don’t really speak to them.”
While schools have actively pursued Elee, he has yet to re-engage in conversations with schools outside of Maryland and knows that his approach to his recruitment will change going forward.
“[With my recruitment], I’m just looking at it a different way. Since I’m committed to a school now, I’m not really going to be focused on other schools, you know what I’m saying? But, they gonna have to come at me different to get an even response from me now that I’m committed.”
With still a year to signing day, Elee’s recruitment is far from over, even with his surprise commitment.
But, the factor of playing at home certainly seems to be a key as other schools remain in pursuit for what should be one of the best pass rushers in the Class of 2026.
