Class of 2025 four-star athlete Zymear Smith is staying house in any case. Smith introduced his dedication to Maryland on Friday. This comes simply a few weeks after Smith decommitted from Alabama, which he publicly declared on July 3.
Smith ranks because the No. 7 prospect within the state of Maryland and the No. 10 athlete within the 2025 cycle.
He took his official go to to Faculty Park to take a look at the Terrapins throughout the weekend of June 21 by means of June 23. That adopted the official go to he took with Alabama in Tuscaloosa from Might 31 by means of June 2. Maryland did sufficient throughout the journey to persuade Smith to modify his dedication to the Terrapins.
In the end, Smith has now made the decision to hitch head coach Mike Locksley, offensive coordinator/large receivers coach Josh Gattis, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Brian Williams, co-defensive coordinator/affiliate head coach for protection/cornerbacks coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim and the remainder of the Maryland employees.
Penn State was additionally thought of to be a real contender in Smith’s preliminary recruitment earlier than he dedicated to the Crimson Tide, and sources informed Pleased Valley Insider that the Nittany Lions additionally pursued Smith following his decommitment from Alabama as properly, and Smith thought of PSU as a finalist. South Carolina was additionally a finalist for Smith. Georgia, Tennessee and Pittsburgh have been additionally thought of to be within the working for Smith throughout his course of. Nevertheless, it was Locksley and Maryland which have now earned a verbal pledge from the four-star athlete.
Along with the colleges already talked about, Smith had scholarship affords from Boston Faculty, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Syracuse, Texas, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and several other others.
In the highschool ranks, Smith’s versatility stands out, as he performs cornerback, working again, large receiver and particular groups for North Caroline Excessive Faculty in Ridgely, Maryland. He strains up everywhere in the area for the Bulldogs — within the backfield, out large or within the slot as a receiver, within the secondary and as a punt returner — and makes an affect in each section of the sport.
It’s presently unclear which aspect of the ball Smith will play on the school degree, because the Terrapins are recruiting him as a real “athlete,” nevertheless, sources inform Rivals that the present thought is Smith will probably begin his profession as a large receiver. With that mentioned, he nonetheless might play cornerback as properly.
North Caroline head coach Nic McMorris had sturdy reward for Smith’s play on the sphere, alongside together with his means to guide his group and make the gamers round him higher.
“He desires the ball in his arms,” McMorris mentioned about Smith. “He is a good child and chief for us. He works his tail off and needs to carry everybody round him.”
In 9 video games as a junior in 2023, Smith recorded 80 carries for 670 yards (8.4 yard per carry) and eight speeding touchdowns. He added 12 receptions for 427 yards and 4 extra touchdowns within the passing recreation, and scored two punt return touchdowns as properly. Smith earned all-state honors as a working again for his efforts.
Defensively, Smith tallied 22 tackles, seven go break-ups, three interceptions and a pick-six landing. He additionally lists a powerful 4.41-second 40-yard sprint time on his X (previously Twitter) profile.
Smith helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-2 general end throughout the 2023 marketing campaign, together with playoffs.
His pace and different bodily traits, alongside together with his positional versatility, make Smith an intriguing school prospect. Irrespective of the place he performs on the subsequent degree, Smith has the power to make a distinction offensively, defensively or on particular groups sooner or later. This can be a large win for the Terrapins to pry him away from Alabama and preserve him within the state of Maryland.
With Smith now becoming a member of the group, Maryland’s 2025 class presently contains 21 complete verbal commitments and ranks within the top-25 within the nation. He’s the fifth four-star prospect within the cycle for the Terrapins, becoming a member of quarterback Malik Washington, defensive lineman Bryce Jenkins, cornerback Jett White and linebacker Carlton Smith.
