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Maryland Recruiting Roundup: New offer and two Terps targets pledge elsewhere

Josh Ball, Elias Reynolds both pass on Maryland.

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

As we flip the calendar and progress towards the summer months, many of the top prospects on Maryland's board are entering in the final stages of their recruitment. As juniors head into their senior year, the commitments will start to trickle down and will eventually form the 2016 recruiting class. This past week alone, two Maryland prospects took themselves off the board.

Fredericksburg, VA (Stafford Sr.) offensive tackle Josh Ball committed to Florida State. Ball, who recently named Maryland amongst his top-15 schools, but Seminoles proved to be too powerful in his recruitment. The 6'7, 305-pound tackle would have been a major coup on the offensive line, as Maryland has made beefing up the offensive line a top priority. Ball chose Florida State over offers from West Virginia, Arkansas, Auburn and LSU, among many others.

Brooklyn, NY (Poly Prep) linebacker Elias Reynolds pledged to Rutgers. The 6'3, 230-pound prospect was never seriously recruited by Maryland and didn't seem to strongly consider Maryland when speaking with Testudo Times in March. Rutgers, Wake Forest and Syracuse stood out during the interview. Reynolds chose Rutgers over Buffalo, UCONN, UMASS and Pittsburgh, among others.

There was only one new offer this week from the Maryland staff.

New Offer: (All Ratings according to the 247Sports Composite)

  • West Hartford, CT (Kingswood-Oxford School) three-star wide receiver Isaiah Wright. The 6'2, 207-pound receiver holds five offers, and is labeled as the 190th-ranked wide receiver in the class of 2016 and the ninth-ranked player in Connecticut.

Other News:

  • The Avalon School athlete Trevon Diggs participated at the Rutgers camp this past Friday. With Dwayne Haskins' commitment to Maryland and the athlete's SEC suitors, the likelihood of Diggs landing at Rutgers is virtually nonexistent.

  • Houston, TX (St. Thomas) wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon received an offer from Baylor. The offer from the Bears is the second for the 6'3, 206-pound wide receiver - Maryland was first to offer. Ausbon participated in Baylor's and Alabama's camp this past week. He also visited Waco this past weekend, per his 247Sports profile.

  • Central Catholic (PA) defensive tackle Rashad Wheeler received offers from Rutgers and Syracuse. Wheeler also participated in the Pittsburgh camp this past Friday.

  • St. John's (D.C.) outside linebacker Aaron Hansford received an offer from Notre Dame. The 6'2, 210-pound prospect has been a steady Ohio State lean since March.

  • Fredericksburg, VA (Riverbend) offensive tackle Zach Adams visited Vanderbilt this past week. The Commodores offered the 6'7, 310-pound offensive tackle on May 19th.

  • Katy (TX) linebacker Paddy Fisher received offers from UCF and Iowa State. Maryland offered the prospect in April.

  • Terps target and Imhotep Institute (PA) tight end Naseir Upshur came in as the No. 63 overall prospect in the new Rivals 250. Miami (FL) and Michigan are considered the two favorites for Upshur's services.

  • Fellow teammate of Upshur, Johncarlo Valentin, obtained an offer from Wisconsin. Valentin also visited Pitt for their prospect camps this past Friday, per Harry Psaros of Dreambackfield.com. The 6'5, 290-pound guard is on Dwayne Haskins' list of 20 recruits formed to help solidify "The Movement", but Maryland doesn't appear to be a serious contender for Valentin.

  • 2017 Terps defensive target Lamont Wade earned a spot on the top defensive performers list at The Opening Columbus.

  • 2017 Stephens City, VA (Sherando) linebacker Dylan Rivers received an offer from Clemson.

  • Iowa Western Community College safety Jayme Thompson announced he will be announcing his college decision on June 24th, per his twitter account.

  • McDonogh School (MD) defensive back, wide receiver Eric Burrell visited Virginia and Duke this past weekend. The Blue Devils remained tied with the Terps in the 247 crystal ball picks.