5-star Zion Elee has a message for other top recruits in Maryland

Originally posted on Maryland Terrapins on SI
By Chris Breiler | Last updated May 30, 2025 10:04 AM ET

In an era where so many collegiate decisions are driven by money, five-star edge rusher Zion Elee is driven by loyalty. Make no mistake, Elee is certainly going to benefit from NIL as part of the Maryland football program moving forward, but there's little doubt he could have chased a bigger bag elsewhere. Instead, Elee remains committed to his home.

Speaking with the media at a recent Under Armour NEXT camp, Elee explained his decision to stick with the Terrapins.

"It was kind of a personal thing for me, really," Elee said. "I just wanted to stay home. Out of nowhere, I really had that idea to stay at home. And then on top of that, bring everybody that is home to home, you know what I'm saying?"

Zion Elee is one of one @D1zion26

The 5-star Maryland commit and No. 2 overall prospect in the ESPN 300 has elite talent and a competitive mentality. #UANext pic.twitter.com/aV8i0cA3AY
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) May 30, 2025

And while Elee is clearly committed to sticking with the Terps, he also made it clear that he's working hard to keep other top talent home. So far, other top Maryland targets like Immanuel Iheanacho, Jireh Edwards, and Khary Adams are all trending away from College Park. But as well all know, today's world of college recruiting is unpredictable.

When it comes to other top recruits in Maryland, Elee - who's rated as the No. 1 recruit in the state - offered a simple message:

"The best players in Maryland stay in Maryland."

This article first appeared on Maryland Terrapins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: