Class of 2021 offensive tackle Kyle Long commits to Maryland football

Maryland football has secured a commitment from 2021 offensive lineman Kyle Long, he announced Wednesday evening.

Long, who plays at Hazelwood Central in Florissant, Missouri, is ranked as a composite two-star recruit, but listed as an 80-rated three-star by 247 Sports.

Prior to his commitment, Long had been committed to Central Michigan since May, but the Terps came in with an official written offer on Aug. 1 and wrapped up his pledge quickly.

Standing at 6’6, 300 pounds, Long provides a great frame to build on at the college level. He started at left tackle in 2019, but has experience on both the left and right sides of the line, meaning he could be a key depth piece for the Terps wherever he’s needed.

Long tends to stand straight up off the snap, but his sheer size and strength are more than enough to get the job done at the high school level. Under the direction of offensive line coach John Reagan, look for Long to shore up on techniques while filling out his size early on in College Park.

Maryland head coach Mike Locksley spent plenty of time and effort in the 2020 recruiting cycle on the offensive line, meaning that 2021 was going to be a much lighter haul. The Terps have been fighting for high-profile targets such as Tristan Leigh and Michael Myslinski, but while seeming to be on the outside looking in, it was important to start shoring up the position.

Long is the lightest offensive lineman Maryland has brought in since 2019, when they signed 6’5, 296-pound tackle Marcus Finger — proving just how much Locksley has been working to improve the Terps’ size up front in the last two years.

Overall, Maryland is up to 19 commitments in the 2021 class — now moving one spot up to No. 18 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten. With the bulk of the class committed, look for Locksley and his staff to lightly continue to fill needs, maintain current relationships and work on flips ahead of the early signing period.