Maryland football picks up commitment from 2023 quarterback Robert “Champ” Long Jr.

Maryland football got a jump on its Class of 2023 Saturday with quarterback Robert “Champ” Long Jr. announcing his pledge to the program.

The Terps offered Long on March 12, 2020, and remained the only power five school to extend an early offer to the sophomore. He chose Maryland over offers from Old Dominion, Massachusetts and Temple.

“Gods Timing! Proud To Announce That I Am 110% Committed To The University of Maryland!” Long wrote in a Twitter post.

Long saw action in six games during the shortened 2020 season for St. Peter’s Prep, but sat behind senior quarterback Tahj Bullock on the offensive side of the ball. Despite that, Long served as the team’s primary punter, booting 21 kicks for 653 yards (31.1-yard average) with three landing inside the 20 yard line. His effort as a punter earned him a spot on the 2020 Hudson Reporter All-Area Defensive Team.

Appearing in eight games as a freshman quarterback in 2019, Long completed 81 of 140 passes for 1,317 yards and 13 touchdowns with five interceptions. He added 246 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Long has decent size with room to continue growing as a quarterback. He posesses natural athletic ability with the option to scramble always present, but particularly does a good job of taking contact and pushing forward. He also throws an accurate ball and can make some key plays on the move.

Long becomes the first commitment for Maryland’s 2023 Class, making the program one of 10 to have a pledge this early in the cycle.

As the Terps prepare for the future beyond Taulia Tagovailoa, Long will follow 2022 commits AJ Swann, Jayden Sauray and potentially Preston Howard at the position. Maryland head coach Mike Locksley and offensive coordinator Dan Enos have put a strong focus on the quarterback position, putting the pieces together to be competitive.