Maryland football coach Mike Locksley continued his push for defensive talent Saturday, securing five-star inside linebacker Terrence Lewis for the Terrapins’ 2021 recruiting class. Lewis, a Miami native, is the top-ranked inside linebacker and the 16th best player overall in the class, according to 247Sports.
Lewis, the 22nd member of Maryland’s 2021 class, also becomes the highest-rated prospect in a group ripe with defenders. Lewis joins a class with four-star defensive linemen Taizse Johnson and Tommy Akingbesote, and four-star outside linebackers Demeioun Robinson and Branden Jennings.
Lewis had initially committed to Tennessee, but he reneged on that commitment this fall. He signed his letter of intention to attend Maryland on NBC’s All-American Bowl Declaration Show on Saturday, choosing the Terps hat sitting beside Miami and Tennessee hats.
“Our focus for this season was on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the front seven,” Locksley said Dec. 16. “I firmly believe you need to build your program from the trenches.”
Maryland announced Lewis will enroll early and participate in spring practices.
Locksley has prioritized securing local talent for his program, but the coach has also displayed his connections elsewhere, too. Lewis is the fifth player from Florida in the 2021 class.
“Anybody that knows me knows that in the 30 years that I’ve coached, my two main areas have been the DMV, and I’ve recruited every part of Florida, having spent time as an assistant at the University of Florida but even here at Maryland, going down into that region,” Locksley said. “… Quite a few of our coaches have great ties down there, and I think that’s what helps us most.”
According to 247 Sports, Maryland is one of 11 programs to sign a five-star prospect in the 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes; the Terrapins secured wide receiver Rakim Jarrett last year.
Maryland finished the coronavirus-shortened campaign at 2-3 and relied heavily on underclassmen throughout. The team will lose a few upperclassmen, including running back Jake Funk (who declared for the NFL Draft), linebacker Ayinde Eley and offensive linemen Marcus Minor and Johnny Jordan.
Eley, Minor and Jordan all entered the transfer portal, moving to Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech, respectively. Eley recorded 109 career tackles in three seasons, while Minor and Jordan were the lone upperclassmen starters on the offensive line.
But the bulk of the roster remains and will soon be bolstered by a top-20 ranked recruiting class. Locksley said last month the 21-player class added during the early signing period likely wouldn’t be the end of the Terrapins’ additions. They have more scholarships available to go after transfers if needed, as well as recruits who haven’t yet signed.
“The best is ahead for us when you look at us being able to put all the pieces together,” Locksley said. “Building a roster and building a winning, successful program, is about putting all the right pieces together. … I feel good about the way our complete roster is shaping up. Now we just need to do a good job as coaches developing these guys.”
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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