The early signing period for college football began Dec. 16, and the Terps were quick to receive letters of intent from 21 student-athletes as Maryland’s 2021 recruiting class takes shape.
Per a release from the school’s athletic department, the 21 student-athletes hail from six different states and Washington D.C. Eleven signees are from Maryland, while four are from Florida, two from Washington D.C. and one each from Delaware, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Terps added 12 players on defense (6 defensive linemen, 3 defensive backs and 3 linebackers) and nine players on offense (3 running backs, 3 tight ends, 1 wide receiver, 1 offensive lineman, 1 fullback).
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According to Rivals.com, Maryland currently has the 24th ranked 2021 recruiting class nationally. It is a class highlighted by Rivals100 recruit and consensus four-star inside linebacker out of Jacksonville, Florida, Branden Jennings, who flipped from Michigan to Maryland in the 11th hour. Jennings was originally pledged to Florida State before verbally committing to Michigan, but, ultimately, he chose to play for the Terps at the next level.
This marks the second year in a row that Maryland head coach Mike Locksley made a big splash on signing day by flipping one of the class’s biggest stars. Last December, Terps fans were pleasantly surprised when five-star wide receiver Rakim Jarrett flipped from LSU to Maryland on National Signing Day.
There are rumors that Jennings could eventually be joined by fellow Floridian and four-star linebacker, Terrence Lewis, who has recently narrowed down his options to Maryland and Tennessee.
Maryland’s 2021 class is defense-heavy. So far, the Terps’ top seven recruits in this year’s class, according to Rivals, are all on the defensive side of the ball. Five of them — Jennings, Taizse Johnson, Demeioun Robinson, ZionAngelo Shockley, and Gereme Spraggins — signed their letters of intent on Wednesday.
Johnson, Robinson, Shockley, and Spraggins are all local products that hail from the DMV. Spraggins was recruited out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, but played his high school ball at Arundel High School. He’s a three-star inside linebacker that excelled at the JUCO level. In his 2019 season with Hutchinson, Spraggins recorded 70 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks while adding an interception. He was named First-Team All-Conference that year.
Shockley played high school ball for the Baltimore powerhouse St. Frances Academy. He’s a three-star defensive end that has tremendous upside. Having played a national high school schedule for one of the top programs in the country, adjusting to college competition shouldn’t be a problem for the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder.
Robinson, or “Chop” as he is better known, will come to College Park via Quince Orchard (Gaitersburg, Md.) and is a four-star outside linebacker and pass-rushing specialist. He is a grown man that turned down the likes of Alabama and Clemson to play for the hometown school.
Before Jennings made his signing day switch, Johnson was the Terps’ highest-rated recruited. The St. John’s College High School product is a four-star defensive tackle and also had his fair share of SEC and other Power Five offers such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, and Penn State.
This influx of stud, local talent in the front seven paves the way for Maryland to have a strong defense for years to come. Starting next year, the Terps will have the most talent they’ve had across the defensive line in quite some time — perhaps ever. It’s a group of recruits that will enter the college game together and hopefully push each other to be great.
Another area besides defense that was heavily addressed in Maryland’s 2021 class is tight end. Locksley would love to be able to utilize his tight ends like he was able to when he had OJ Howard and Irv Smith at Alabama, but he just doesn’t have the horses yet in College Park.
That will hopefully change by bringing in four different tight ends in this year’s class.
Weston Wolff (Venice, Florida) and CJ Dippre (Jermyn, Pennsylvania) are the highest-rated tight ends of the bunch. Both are high three-stars that should be able to come in and contribute right away. At 6-foot-4, and 6-foot-5, respectively, both Wolff and Dippre have college-ready bodies and can both block and run routes. Wolff, in particular, is the closest of the group to a wide receiver-tight end hybrid.
Washington, D.C., native Leron Husbands is also a solid pass catching tight end with a good frame (6-foot-3, 200 pounds). Fellow local tight end recruit Joe Bearns joins his teammate ZionAngelo Shockley as recruits from St. Frances Academy in Maryland’s 2021 class. He is more of an H-back and can be used in a lot of creative ways on the field — perhaps a power runner or lead blocker in the future.
All four tight end recruits signed on Wednesday. Of all the 2021 recruits verbally committed to Maryland, all but two made it official by submitting their letters of intent on the first possible day. The Terps are still awaiting LOIs from three-star defensive back Dante Trader and three-star defensive end Andrew Booker.
Of the 21 recruits already signed to this year’s class, seven will enroll at Maryland early and participate in spring practice – Jennings, Bearns, Wolff, Dippre, Corey Coley Jr., Tai Felton, and Kyle Long.
The early signing period for college football extends until Friday and the remainder of Maryland’s 2021 signing class will be announced on February 3.
A full list of today’s 21 signees as well as their bios can be found below:
Tommy Akingbesote
Defensive Line
Fr.-HS, 6-4, 270
Bowie, Md. (Charles Herbert Flowers HS)
● Four-star defensive lineman by 247Sports & ESPN
● 19th-ranked defensive tackle in the country
● 14th-ranked player in Maryland
● Member of the ESPN 300
● Chose Maryland because of “my relationships with Coach Elijah Brooks, Coach Brian Williams and Coach Michael Locksley, academics and also being able to have a chance to showcase my talent early.”
● Chose Maryland over Boston College, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, South Carolina and Oklahoma
● Pronunciation: Tommy Ay-King-Bee-Stow
Joe Bearns III
Fullback
Fr.-HS, 6-1, 255
Huntingtown, Md. (St. Frances Academy)
● Two-time National Champion at St. Frances Academy
● Two-time MIAA Champion
● High Honor Roll & National Honors Society member
● High School teammate of Terrance Butler Jr. and Zion Shockley
● Plans on majoring in kinesiology
● Chose Maryland because it’s the hometown school and there’s nothing better than staying home and putting on for your family
Terrance Butler Jr.
Defensive Line
Fr.-HS, 6-3, 220
Essex, Md. (St. Frances Academy)
● 25th-ranked player in Maryland
● 52nd-ranked defensive end in the nation
● Two-time National Champion at St. Frances Academy
● Two-time MIAA Champion
● High School teammate of Joe Bearns III and Zion Shockley
● Chose Maryland over Tennessee, Michigan State, Syracuse and Minnesota
Corey Coley Jr.
Defensive Back
Fr.-HS, 6-1, 170
Jacksonville, Fla. (Trinity Christian Academy)
● Totaled 123 tackles (72 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and 10 pass breakups over four seasons at Trinity Christian Academy
● During senior season in 2020, has tallied 32 tackles (24 solo), three tackles for loss, three interceptions, two pass breakups and two blocked field goals
● Has helped lead Trinity Christian Academy to 11-1 record and appearance in the 2020 FHSAA 3A State Championship game
● Chose Maryland because it is one of the biggest media markets in the country and because of his relationship with Jon Hoke and George Helow
● Chose Maryland over LSU and Georgia Tech
CJ Dippre
Tight End
Fr.-HS, 6-5, 250
Scott Township, Pa. (Lakeland HS)
● Played both quarterback and tight end in high school
● Tallied 2,181 passing yards and 18 touchdowns as well as 777 rushing yards and five receiving touchdowns
● Two-time Lackawanna Conference Defensive Player of the Year
● Also threw discus, has school record with a 171 foot throw
● Took 3rd place in the PIAA “AA” Discus at the Pennsylvania Track and Field Championships
● Chose Maryland because he loved the coaching staff and it was a beautiful school
● Chose Maryland over Boston College, Kent State and Virginia
Tai Felton
Wide Receiver
Fr.-HS, 6-2, 178
Ashburn, Va. (Stone Bridge HS)
● Tallied 50 receptions for 1,050 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2018
● Named First Team All-State, First Team All-Region and First Team All-County
● Chose Maryland because of the proximity to home, loyalty and family bond from coaches and staff
● Chose Maryland over Virginia, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Wake Forest, Michigan State and Liberty
● Pronunciation: Tie Felton
Roman Hemby
Running Back
Fr.-HS, 6-0, 200
Edgewood, Md. (The John Carroll School)
● Tallied 1,543 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns over two seasons at The John Carroll School to go with 568 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
● 2019 First Team All-MIAA
● Two-time All-County
● John Carroll 2019 Offensive MVP
● John Carroll 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year
● Honor Roll Student all four years at The John Carroll School
● Plans on majoring in communications
● Chose Maryland because “being able to play the game I love, in the state I love, for the people I love is an amazing thing that doesn’t get to happen often”
● Chose Maryland over Wake Forest, NC State, Indiana, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Virginia
Leron Husbands
Tight End
Fr.-HS, 6-4, 225
Seat Pleasant, Md. (Charles Herbert Flowers HS)
● 2019 First Team WCAC All-Metro
● Played first three years of high school at Archbishop Carroll HS
● Cousin of current Maryland defensive back Osita Smith
● Also runs track and field
● Honor roll student all four years in high school
● Sports hero is former Terp, Vernon Davis
● Chose Maryland because of the support and relationship from the coaching staff and wanting to stay close to home
● Chose Maryland over Boston College, Pittsburgh, Temple, Indiana, Purdue and Old Dominion
Darrell Jackson
Defensive Line
Fr.-HS, 6-5, 258
Havana, Fla. (Gadsden County HS)
● 38th-ranked strongside defensive end in the nation
● Played defensive end, defensive tackle and tight end at Gadsden County High School
● Helped lead Gadsden County to 6-2 record in 2020, tallying 23 tackles (17 solo),5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery
● Chose Maryland over Tennessee, Miami and Georgia Tech
Branden Jennings
Linebacker
Fr.-HS, 6-4, 225
Jacksonville, Fla. (Sandalwood HS)
● Consensus four-star linebacker
● 7th-ranked outside linebacker in the nation
● 16th-ranked player in Florida
● 67th-ranked player in the country according to ESPN
● ESPN 300
● Rivals 100
● 2019 Times-Union All-First Coast First Team Selection
● 2021 Under Armour All American
● One of 16 semifinalists for the Butkus Award for nation’s best linebacker
● Has recorded 127 tackles (84 solo), 19 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2020 senior season
● Two-time All-State
● Son of Bradley Jennings, three-year starting linebacker and national champion at Florida State
● Chose Maryland over Michigan, Florida State and Miami
Taizse Johnson
Defensive Line
Fr.-HS, 6-1, 290
District Heights, Md. (St. John’s College HS)
● Consensus four-star defensive tackle
● Second-ranked player in Washington D.C.
● 17th-ranked defensive tackle in the nation
● Member of the ESPN 300
● 2021 Under Armour All-American
● Helped lead St. John’s to the 2017 WCAC Championship
● High school teammate of Antwaine Littleton Jr. and Colby McDonald
● Chose Maryland over Alabama, Florida, Ohio State and South Carolina
● Pronunciation: Tah-Zay Johnson
Antwain Littleton Jr.
Running Back
Fr.-HS, 6-0, 265
Washington D.C. (St. John’s College HS)
● Four-star running back according to ESPN
● Top-ranked running back in Washington D.C.
● Fourth-ranked player overall in Washington D.C.
● ESPN 300
● Helped lead St. John’s to the 2017 WCAC Championship
● High school teammate of Taizse Johnson and Colby McDonald
● Chose Maryland because he always wanted to stay home and play for his home state to help build the program up
● Chose Maryland over Syracuse, Indiana, Rutgers, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Tennessee
Kyle Long
Offensive Line
Fr.-HS, 6-6, 316
St. Louis, Mo. (Hazelwood Central HS)
● 2019 First Team All-Suburban North Conference & First Team All-District
● Plans on majoring in Pre-Law
● Chose Maryland because it’s the perfect school for him and his family
● Chose Maryland over Central Michigan, Murray State, Missouri State and Eastern Illinois
Colby McDonald
Running Back
Fr.-HS, 6-0, 191
Accokeek, Md. (St. John’s College HS)
● Second-ranked running back in Washington D.C.
● Fifth-ranked player overall in Washington D.C.
● Tallied 1,700 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns in his junior 2019 season
● Helped lead St. John’s to a 7-1 record in 2019
● High school teammate of Taizse Johnson and Antwaine Littleton Jr.
● Chose Maryland because “it can help me achieve my goals on and off the field and because it’s home.”
● Chose Maryland over Boston College, Ole Miss, Louisville, Tennessee and Michigan
Andre Porter
Defensive Line
Fr.-HS, 6-3, 300
Washington, D.C. (Washington (Pa.) HS)
● 13th-ranked player in Pennsylvania
● 30th-ranked defensive tackle nationally
● Played at Ballou High School in Washington D.C. before transferring to Washington High
School in Pennsylvania
● 2020 Second Team All-Pennsylvania
● Also played running back for Washington High School
● Chose Maryland because it felt like home and he had great relationships with the current and future players
● Chose Maryland over Boston College, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Louisville
Demeioun Robinson
Linebacker
Fr.-HS, 6-3, 240
Gaithersburg, Md. (Quince Orchard HS)
● Consensus Four-star linebacker
● Top-ranked player in the state of Maryland according to ESPN
● 35th-ranked player in the nation according to ESPN
● 5th-ranked outside linebacker in the country according to ESPN
● Under Armour All-American
● ESPN 300
● Broke school sack record at Quince Orchard High School
● 2019 All-Met
● Accounted for 85 tackles (61 solo),14 sacks, three caused fumbles and one interception in junior season
● Helped lead Quince Orchard to a combined 25-2 record in 2018 & 2019
● Plans on majoring in marketing
● Chose Maryland over LSU, Ohio State, Clemson, Penn State and Michigan
Zion Shockley
Defensive Line
Fr.-HS, 6-4, 245
Baltimore, Md. (St. Frances Academy)
● 20th-ranked player in Maryland
● Invited to play in Blue-Grey All-American Bowl
● Two-time National Champion at St. Frances Academy
● Two-time MIAA Champion
● High School teammate of Joe Bearns III and Terrance Butler Jr.
● Chose Maryland over Arizona State, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia
Gereme Spraggins
Linebacker
So.-JUCO, 6-2, 241
Odenton, Md. (Arundel HS / Hutchinson CC)
● Tallied 70 tackles (36 solo), 2.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and an interception during 2019 season at Hutchinson Community College
● Was teammates of current Terp Jakorian Bennett at Hutchinson CC
● Was 43rd-ranked player in Maryland out of high school
● Chose Maryland over Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia
Dante Trader Jr.
Defensive Back
Fr.-HS, 6-0, 185
Delmar, Del. (McDonogh School)
● Tallied 25 solo tackles, six interceptions and 14 pass breakups in 2019 season, helping lead McDonogh to an 11-1 record
● 2019 All-MIAA
● 2018 Delaware Second Team All-State
● 2017 Delaware State Champion at Delmar Senior High School
● Also plans on playing lacrosse at Maryland
● Is No. 5 ranked lacrosse player in the Class of 2021 according to Inside Lacrosse
● Chose Maryland because it is his dream school
Jayon Venerable
Defensive Back
Fr.-HS, 5-10, 173
Glen Burnie, Md. (Archbishop Spalding HS)
● 27th-ranked player in Maryland
● Rushed for 956 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2018-19 seasons at Archbishop Spalding
● Also tallied 81 tackles (57 solo), two tackles for loss and an interception in 2018-19 seasons
● Was Maryland’s first Class of 2021 commit
● Also ran track at Archbishop Spalding
● Chose Maryland because “It’s always been my dream to one day be a Terp. All the coaches showed me a lot of love and I loved them right back. I just thought it felt right.”
● Chose Maryland over Rutgers. Massachusetts, Temple and Virginia Tech
Weston Wolff
Tight End
Fr.-HS, 6-5, 225
Englewood, Fla. (Venice HS)
● Has tallied 147 receptions for 1,822 and 16 touchdowns over three seasons at Venice High School
● Posted 44 receptions for 570 yards and nine touchdowns in senior 2020 season
● As a sophomore in 2018, he led all 2021 receivers in Florida with 70 catches for 804 yards and three touchdowns.
● Won back-to-back 7A Region 3 championship teams in 2018-19
● Chose Maryland over Miami, Northwestern, UCF and West Virginia
Unless denoted otherwise rankings are via 247Sports
Terps Analyst
Pat has been covering sports in the DMV area since 2012. He is a former Washington Redskins beat reporter for PressBoxDC.com and has been covering University of Maryland football and basketball recruiting and daily beats for Rivals.com’s Terrapin Sports Report since 2013. Pat graduated from College Park with his master’s degree in journalism and has received bylines in publications such as USA TODAY Sports, The Philadelphia Inquirer, SB Nation, and Yahoo! Sports. A Philadelphia native, Pat enjoys fishing, golfing, and playing fantasy sports when he’s not covering or watching a game.