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Maryland football has received Ayinde Eley’s National Letter of Intent, making his pledge to the Terps official.
An ACE up our sleeve!
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) February 1, 2017
Welcome to College Park @Bigtime__ace. #Shell17 pic.twitter.com/46W8paLYyO
Eley committed to Maryland in April, in the same Periscope video as quarterback Kasim Hill. Although Eley although he took an unofficial visit to Kentucky in November, there was never much drama in his recruitment.
The three-star prospect was listed as an athlete when he committed, but he’s currently the nation’s No. 24 outside linebacker, according to the 247Sports Composite. The Good Counsel product is also the 10th-best prospect in Maryland.
Eley is expected to compete right away for playing time at linebacker, where Maryland is in serious need of reinforcements. The Terps return Jermaine Carter Jr., but fellow starter Shane Cockerille was ruled academically ineligible for the team’s bowl game and might not be able to return to the team. Maryland also has early enrollees Bryce Brand and Nick Underwood at the position.