Elee is the highest-ranked recruit to ever commit to the Terps.
Maryland football didn’t wait long after early National Signing Day to make a splash in the 2026 recruiting class.
The Terps secured their highest-ranked commitment in program history Saturday when five-star edge rusher Zion Elee committed to Maryland, On3’s Hayes Fawcett first reported. He chose Maryland over Alabama, Oregon and Penn State.
Elee is listed at 6-foot-3.5 and 220 pounds. The Baltimore native and St. Frances Academy product has racked up 17 sacks, 62 tackles and an interception over the last two seasons.
Three of four 2026 Maryland recruits — Elee, three-star cornerback Khmari Bing and three-star tight end Damon Hall Jr. — attend St. Frances.
If Elee signs and doesn’t flip, he’ll be the biggest recruiting win for Maryland under head coach Michael Locksley. The last five-star, according to 247Sports, to sign with the Terps was Chop Robinson, the No. 22 overall recruit in the class of 2021. He transferred to Penn State after one season.
Elee has 31 Power Five offers and has taken 11 unofficial visits. It’s possible he ends up flipping, especially given his commitment comes a year in advance of his National Signing Day.
But nonetheless, it’s a testament to the in-state recruiting prowess Locksley has developed. Ten of the state’s top-50 recruits in the 2025 class committed to Maryland.