3-star TE Chigoziem Okonkwo signs with Maryland football

Maryland football adds another weapon for its returning quarterbacks, signing three-star tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo on Wednesday morning.

Okonkwo committed in August, choosing the Terps over his hometown Georgia Tech. He made it official at a ceremony at his high school on the first day of the early signing period.

There was some discussion whether Okonkwo, 6’3, 224, would play receiver or tight end in college, but head coach DJ Durkin and staff inked him as a tight end. Okonkwo holds the distinction of being the only current Maryland commit to have participated in the finals of The Opening, a premier showcase.

The Powder Hills, Georgia, native is the No. 23 ranked tight end in the 2018 class, per the 247Sports Composite. Okonkwo will join Maleak Bryant, another Georgia native, as the Terps’ two commits at the position, bringing next season’s total to five scholarship tight ends, with Derrick Hayward graduating.

Maryland didn’t throw a whole lot of passes to tight ends this past season, though that may have been a product of losing two quarterbacks. With Tyrrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill both returning from ACL injuries and Big Ten Receiver of the Year D.J. Moore heading to the NFL, offensive coordinator Walt Bell may look to get the tight ends more involved next season. Okonkwo gives the Terps another weapon in the passing game and another big target down the seam.