Maryland football recruiting: OLB Kareem McDonald says there is 'no question' Terps will make top 5, may reclassify to 2016

Hatchling Huddle is a recurring series where we talk to high school players recruited by Maryland or coaches who have Maryland recruits.

Woodrow Wilson High School (D.C.) outside linebacker Kareem McDonald has not only received interest from Maryland for their 2015 class, but also has been on the radar of some of the nation's top football programs, most notably Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, and Michigan State. However, so far his lone offer comes from Toledo, but more may be on the way soon.

Despite some potential recruiting competition for the local two-star product, McDonald in a recent phone interview with Testudo Times said, "No question, [Maryland] will be in my top five." Adding, "I like how they are building a team. I like the coaches' focus right now...I respect the fact that they are trying to get the top recruits from the DMV."

His top five, in no particular order, is rounded off by Kentucky, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Old Dominion. Saturday he will visit Old Dominion, where he hopes to obtain an offer.

But before too much stock can be put into his list or a decision can be made by McDonald on college, he must first make a decision that will affect the remainder of his high school career.

McDonald said that he is in the process right now of making the decision of whether or not to transfer to a private school that has shown interest in, a decision that could result in him re-classifying to 2016.

"It depends on how this season goes, my offers" McDonald said, "And if I am mentally and physically ready for college football."

He asked that Testudo Times not share the name of the school before he makes his final decision but he did say that it is safe to say that it is a school in the DMV area, and that he is trying to make his decision before the end of the school year so that he can work out with the team he chooses in the summer.

As of now McDonald, is still a target for Maryland's 2015 class. He said he hasn't heard much from Terps coaches since Junior Day, but that his conversations with Randy Edsall, Mike Locksley, and Chad Wilt there and in other unofficial visits leads him to believe that an offer is just around the corner.

"They want me to come out to one of their camps," McDonald said, "and if I come to one of their camps there is no doubt in my mind that i'll get the offer."

McDonald said that no matter where he goes he just wants to feel comfortable and play as a true freshman. Something that the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder feels he can do, even in Maryland's new home, the Big Ten.

"That's a tough conference that they're going to play in. The Big Ten lineman are big, but I think I'm quick enough to compete with them."

McDonald certainly shows a quick first move off the line and an ability to make plays in his highlight reel. The 247sports composite currently has McDonald as the 78th-best outside linebacker in the country and the 13th-best prospect in D.C.