Behind Spalding star, Maryland football’s recruiting class moves into ESPN top 40

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Spalding’s pipeline to Maryland football has borne fruit again — and this time, before a single down has been played in the upcoming fall season.

Spalding wide receiver Myles McAfee was named the Terps’ top offensive prospect by ESPN, which ranks Maryland’s 2027 recruiting class 39th out of 138 Football Bowl Subdivision programs as of Wednesday’s ranking update. The Terps’ class is sandwiched between Kansas State and Colorado, and, perhaps notably, sits only seven spots down from the longtime mecca for top recruits, Alabama. Virginia native Kenaz Sullivan, a safety with notable offers from Indiana, Alabama and Ohio State, headlines the verbal commitments on defense.

Maryland coach Michael Locksley and his staff invested heavily in combing local schools for prospects since taking over the program in 2018. No one felt the warmth of the coaches’ presence more than Spalding, which will have six alumni — five players and one former head coach — on the 2026 roster.

McAfee’s verbal pledge to Maryland in July more than likely tipped the Terps into a top-40 regard by ESPN. Though he lost practically the entirety of 2025 to injury, McAfee’s proven potential as a shifty and skillful receiver easily catches the eye. ESPN’s SC Next 300, as well as 247Sports and Rivals, dubbed McAfee a four-star recruit.

He told the Capital Gazette that time off the field sharpened his playbook knowledge and ability to read defenses, too.

McAfee made magic with his once-and-future starting quarterback Malik Washington in 2024, hauling in 54 catches for 651 yards.

Save for any transfers, the duo will be joined on the other side of the ball next year by former Cavaliers like defensive lineman Delmar White, who redshirted last fall, as well as true freshman defensive back Sean Johnson and sophomore Jayden Shipps, who played in all 12 games as a freshman with 11 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.

The trio were regulars on All-Conference and All-County teams, won every championship game they ever played in and were largely responsible for cementing Spalding as one of the top defensive teams in the country. Their high school predecessor, Lavain Scruggs, who anchored Spalding’s first undefeated MIAA A Conference regular season, enters his redshirt senior year having made 64 tackles in 2025 (third best on the team) as a starter.

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Maryland remains an option for Bryce Smalls as well. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound junior — also a blue-chip prospect — is considered the fourth-best interior offensive lineman in the state.

It’s a shame Washington couldn’t enlist his services sooner. Despite the skill and talent the former Cavaliers star flashed in his debut year, a lackluster offensive line was widely cited as a major reason for the Terps’ 4-8 overall mark and 1-8 Big Ten record.

Meanwhile, Spalding enjoyed another year of dominating the A Conference, securing its fourth consecutive title under quarterback prodigy Brian “LB” Snowden.

Behind first-year coach RB Green, the Cavaliers kick off their season on Aug. 21 at home against Loudon Sports Academy.

Maryland hosts Hampton on Sept. 5.

Have a news tip? Contact Katherine Fominykh at kfominykh@baltsun.com or DM @capgazsports on Instagram. 

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