Maryland 5-star commit Zion Elee remains near the top in latest Rivals300 rankings

For Maryland fans, the scouting report on Elee provides plenty of reason for optimism. 247Sports compares him to former Penn State and current NFL pass rusher Chop Robinson, praising his explosiveness, strength, and natural pass-rushing instincts. He's the kind of prospect who looks tailor-made for disrupting and disposing of quarterbacks, and he's already being projected as a future first-round NFL Draft pick. His rare physical traits and high motor will likely make him an immediate impact player in College Park.

Elee is the clear headliner of the 2026 recruiting class that desperately needs reinforcements. Maryland currently ranks 17th in the Big Ten recruiting rankings and has the fewest commitments (11) of any team in the conference. While the program's struggles in the Big Ten have made recruiting tougher, NIL opportunities offer some hope. Still, head coach Mike Locksley and his staff have major work ahead. For now, Elee stands as the bright spot in an otherwise lackluster recruiting cycle.