Three notable teams trying to flip top Maryland commit Zion Elee

Five-star edge Zion Elee, the nation's No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class, says he's locked in with Maryland, although other suitors continue to pursue him, according to Rivals analyst Marcus Benjamin.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Elee says that Miami, Penn State and South Carolina remain in contact with him, among other schools. 

He notes, "Those are the only three I respond to, but there are a bunch more, but I don’t stay in contact with them. I don’t really respond to other schools."

Elee, who suits up for a Baltimore powerhouse program, says he plans to visit Maryland for the Terrapins' 2025 season opener at home against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30.

While Elee says that he responds to communication from Miami, Penn State and South Carolina, it doesn't sound like he is a significant flip target. The early signing period for 2026 prospects is in December.

Throughout his recruitment, Elee has landed nearly 40 high-major offers, according to 247Sports. It proved to be a massive recruiting win for head coach Mike Locksley and his staff.

The Terps have 12 verbal pledges in their 2026 class, led by Elee, who committed to Maryland in December 2024. The industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking has the Terrapins' 2026 cycle at No. 56 overall, while via the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, they are No. 68 nationally.

This 2026 class has two four-star pledges, but without question, Elee is the headliner for the Terrapins. Earlier in August, he was named to the MaxPreps preseason All-America first team for the 2025 campaign in high school football.

Elee is a standout senior at the Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore. The Panthers are ranked No. 4 around the country by MaxPreps.

In their 2025 season opener over the weekend, the Panthers crushed then-No. 7 Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Fla., by a final of 42-13 at the Broward County High School National Football Showcase at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"It definitely felt great," Elee said of the season-opening triumph. "We worked as a team, and we put it all together."

He says that his relationship with the Maryland staff is "pretty tight. Obviously, we are still building because I still talk to them on a constant basis."