4-star linebacker Branden Jennings flips, signs with Maryland football

Maryland football has landed its first surprise of the 2021 class, flipping and signing four-star linebacker Branden Jennings Wednesday.

The Florida native was previously committed to Florida State and then flipped to Michigan back in October. He opted to instead head to College Park on signing day.

Jennings ranks as the No. 107 overall prospect, No. 16 player from Florida and No. 12 linebacker in the 2021 class, according to the 24/7 Sports Composite. He is listed as the No. 67 player in the entire class by ESPN.

He held offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Michigan and Texas, among others.

With a composite score of 0.9507, Jennings is the second-highest rated recruit in the 2021 class for Maryland, only behind four-star defensive end Demeioun Robinson. He is the fourth-highest signee in Locksley’s three classes as head coach, also behind Rakim Jarrett and Nick Cross.

Standing at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, Jennings will arrive in College Park with a perfect frame to make an immediate impact. He does a great job of holding his own in coverage across the middle, while also possessing speed and power when tackling. Jennings works great in spy situations, limiting passing opportunities and being quick to bring down quarterbacks in distress.

Jennings joins junior college signee Gereme Spraggins in solidifying depth at the linebacker position for the Terps. The unit, led by Chance Campbell, showed its strength in 2020 and returns each playmaker in 2021, with freshman Ruben Hyppolite II proving that young players can make immediate impacts.

The addition of Jennings to Maryland’s 2021 class brings the Terps up to the No. 18 class in the country and No. 4 in the Big Ten.