Maryland signed 20 players to its 2025 recruiting class this week, and got some huge news for its 2026 class on Saturday.

Mike Locksley’s staff landed a splash commitment to give the Terrapins some momentum on the trail as focus shifts to next year’s class. One of the top edge defenders in the country is staying home to play for Maryland.

Zion Elee told Hayes Fawcett of On3 that he has committed to the Terps.

 

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Elee plays for the prominent St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. He previously played for Joppatowne (Maryland) High School.

Elee is listed as measuring over 6-3 and 220 pounds. On the 247Sports Composite, Elee is rated 5-stars, the No. 2 edge defender and No. 2 player in the state of Maryland.

With his elite talent, Elee attracted scholarship offers from powerhouse programs coast to coast. Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M were among the programs to show interest. Per On3, Elee was considering Oregon, Penn State and Alabama before committing to Maryland.

Terps fans who don’t follow St. Frances football can get a preview of what Elee will bring to College Park by checking out his highlights in the Hudl video below: