Maryland football trending with 2021 punter Brenden Segovia

Class of 2021 All-American Bowl punter Brenden Segovia had his sights set on UCLA. The hometown program was quick to offer him a preferred walk-on opportunity in 2020 and had everything he could imagine.

“They offered me relatively quickly and, you know, that was hometown,” Segovia told Testudo Times. “My parents, they were stoked, and... were willing to do whatever it took for me to be a part of that roster and, unfortunately, things just didn’t pan out.”

Since re-opening his recruitment in early February, Segovia has drawn walk-on interest from several programs, including USC, Michigan State, San Jose State and Maryland. The Terps were the most recent program to reach out and offer an opportunity, but have quickly drawn interest from Segovia.

“I look at Maryland as a very clean and very bright institution in regards to academics,” Segovia said. “I think they have a bright future with their football program intact, with Locksley and Ron Zook and all the guys on the staff.”

Zook, the team’s new special team’s coordinator, outside linebackers coach and associate head coach, reached out to Segovia expressing interest in his skills and noting that they could potentially bring in another punter.

The Terps currently have a sophomore tandem of walk-ons in Anthony Pecorella and Colton Spangler, but could add another piece to create more competition and build depth or experience for the future.

Segovia is ranked as a five-star prospect on Chris Sailer Kicking’s six-star scale, meaning he is believed to be a mid-tier FBS starter as a freshman and could be a scholarship pick. He is also ranked as a composite three-star recruit on the 247/Sports Composite scale, ranked as the No. 9 kicker in the 2021 class.

Segovia lists himself at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, with a booming left foot. His large frame allows him to draw more power and he consistently hits punts of 45 or more yards while also yielding hang times around five seconds.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Segovia was unable to take part in camps this summer or make visits to schools that had interest in his talents.

“For starters, it’s really tough to get recruited as a specialist,” Segovia told Testudo Times. “It’s tough and especially this year with COVID, that’s one that certainly wasn’t foreseen... One thing I’m very much considering right now throughout my recruitment is what type of coaching staff each program offers. I did a bunch of research on Locksley and I watched a docuseries about the program’s success about like two years ago.

“Obviously I think there was one season they went like 3-9 or something [but] just kind of seeing the way that that Locksley would express himself in front of the cameras, I found it admirable that he just seems like someone that that has other interests. Obviously winning is great, but he mentioned in one part of the video that winning as a team is one thing and winning as a family as another, and I think that’s a part of culture. That’s the kind of culture I could see myself getting into.”

Segovia underwent a virtual visit with assistants on Locksley’s staff this Wednesday and planned an unofficial visit of his own, saying he his headed to Maryland next Wednesday. According to Segovia, he plans to stay with family in the area for a few days and make his way to College Park Thursday, looking to get a feel for the campus, academic areas and what life is like in the area.

“They are going to be making a digital recording studio in their new $200 million facility,” Segovia recalled from his virtual visit. “I produce music, so that’s an awesome resource to have.”

On top of visiting College Park, Segovia was also looking to visit Michigan State, but said that those plans have been put on hold for now.

While there is no set timeline for a decision from Segovia, he does have his sights set on closing down his recruitment once and for all.

“Considering what happened with UCLA, I’m just trying to make sure that I can find a place where I actually ended up like buckled up and just don’t have to have to go through any more like recruitment,” Segovia said. “[I] just want to pick a solid choice and just be confident in where I’m gonna end up playing ball.”