It’s that time of year when you see more stars in college football than in downtown LA. Nearsightedness is a cardinal sin in this sport, and focus has swiftly pivoted over to the class of ‘26. With coaches hitting the road to fit in as many off-campus visits as they can, it’s also a busy time for high schoolers, including Baltimore native and offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho—the No. 2 overall prospect in the class. With a plethora of top schools vying for his services, looks like Iheanacho has a different, less-traversed path in mind for his college career. One that says a lot about his character as well as a lot about the head coach he’s trending towards. 

But before we get to that… The offensive tackle played high school football for Georgetown Prep in Baltimore, and ranked No. 3 in the nation, as per 247Sports. As On3 Scouting summary aptly noted, the youngster is a “mountain of an offensive tackle prospect with light-footed movement skills”. The report further noted how Iheanacho “has truly rare dimensions for a young offensive tackle. Checked in at nearly 6-foot-7, 350 pounds with startlingly 36-inch long arms and big hands. Shows good flexibility and functional movement skills at his immense size. Owns one of the more powerful punches we’ve seen among offensive tackle prospects in the past few cycles. Absolutely stones defensive linemen at the point of attack”.

So, aren’t you excited to know exactly how many schools offered him a place? Well, a staggering 25—Maryland, Penn State, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oregon, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, USC, Tennessee, Texas, Miami, Florida State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, UCLA, Boston College, Michigan, Rutgers, Syracuse, North Carolina, Nebraska. Hope the ink hasn’t already run out because there’s more. Michigan State also extended an offer, as did Marshall, Temple, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Indiana. Looks like the whole of college football’s front office has planted itself outside Iheanacho’s home. But where is the budding superstar looking to go? It’s definitely where you’d least expect.

The Maryland Terrapins is a program that—barring some sporadic moments of prominence—has historically played second fiddle to their B1G contemporaries. They have often been described as an afterthought in the conference. Under HC Mike Locksley’s custodianship since 2019, things have largely remained the same. In his 7 seasons, they’ve finished above .500 just thrice, between ‘21 and ‘23. However, this upward trajectory plummeted with a 4-8 record last season, and missing out on a bowl game for the first time since 2020. It feels like a juncture where something’s got to beckon.

Locksley may just be about to get a huge, really huge lifeline soon—6’7, 350lb worth of it. Immanuel Iheanacho’s come to a bit of an epiphany. Why not remain home rather than go to a blueblood like every 5-star? Merely 26 miles and 40 minutes of motor separate Iheanacho’s HS Georgetown Prep and Maryland’s campus in College Park. And he’s going to be making this short trip very soon for an official visit. In fact, the visit is coming sooner on his itinerary than he’d previously planned.

The budding superstar was scheduled for an official visit to Maryland on June 20. As per On3’s Steve Wiltfong, his OV is now slated for May 30 instead. Iheanacho also confirmed the same with a post on his X handle. Interestingly, May 30 was previously reserved for a visit to Athens and the Georgia Bulldogs. He also said something else that almost set his choice in stone: “I’d say the idea of being a hometown hero has popped into everybody’s head. It popped into mine after Zion [Elee] committed.” What’s more? The player had literally named Maryland as his No.1 school, and the Oregon Ducks as his No. 2 earlier this month, in a conversation with On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

Notably, ESPN’s No. 1 defensive tackle Zion Elee, a fellow 5-star prospect and Maryland native, got the dice rolling in February when he closed his recruitment with a commitment to the Terrapins. “If I wasn’t committed there, I would have decommitted already. I want to go to college in a place I feel like I can live in and a place where I can have a future. I want it to be a place that feels like home. Maryland is already home,” the player had said at the time. Is Iheabacho headed that way, too? 

As per On3, draft prediction, Maryland tops the prediction list with a staggering 33.9%, followed Penn State (19.9%), and Georgia (11.5%). Mike Locksley has a track record of recruiting well in-state. Something that’s been his modus operandi, his selling point, if you may. It’s a key to why the school has shown patience with the offensive tackle.

Another MD native, 4-star safety Jireh Edwards, has spoken about wanting to build a core of Maryland-based players with Elee, Iheanacho, and himself. These players are all in cahoots, but for a positive mission- bring Maryland football to the upper echelons of CFB. Iheanacho gave more reasons why the Terps are an enticing landing spot. Even his top one, amid more conventionally attractive propositions.

Immanuel Iheanacho elaborates on his feelings towards Mike Locksley and Maryland

“Coach Locks seen me since I was a really bad ninth grader going into sophomore year. They seen me when I was nothing and now I think they can take me to that next level,” said Iheanacho. As aforementioned, Locksley really has a stronghold in the area. Iheanacho reiterated how Zion Elee’s commitment caused a shift in his psyche. “It had a different look on my mentality and how I approached my recruitment. Why go to another state? Stay home and represent my college… Everybody goes to Penn State [and] Bama. Everybody wants to go everywhere else. [Even] Miami. Why not stay here?” Iheanacho proceeded to sum up, rather resoundingly, where his recruitment process currently sits.

“Maryland is definitely somewhere I’m looking at very seriously and I hope other recruits that are local can do the same,” he said. Mind you, Immanuel Iheanacho sure hasn’t closed the door on this. With the caliber of schools that are chasing him, it’ll be delusional for Maryland to think they’ve got their man. It’s never as linear as that. He’s actually in Baton Rouge visiting LSU at this very moment! However, one thing Iheanacho said did stick out. 

“I dreamt about it once, being able to bring a Big Ten Championship home. You can say you did it [while you] stayed home,” remarked Immanuel Iheanacho. Becoming a “hometown hero” sure feels like a theme here. But high school recruits, especially those that are this sought after, are known to up the ante to 11 when it comes to speaking in superlatives. Locksley and the Terps still have work to do come May 30. 

The Georgia visit, though, has a cloud of uncertainty looming over it now after this shuffle. It remains to be seen how the pieces fall once the round of OVs concludes.