Top 25 Maryland high school football players from the Class of 2021

Maryland is a fertile high school football recruiting ground. Fourteen different universities have secured commitments from the Old Line State’s 2021 Top 25 high school football players according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings.

The University of Maryland leads with five prospects, while Penn State is second (three). Five Southeastern Conference teams (Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Vanderbilt), along with Clemson, Notre Dame and USC have also secured a commit.

Of the four undecided prospects, Oregon, Texas A&M and Oklahoma are listed as heavy favorites for three.

Nineteen different colleges got a player from Maryland’s 2020 Top 25. In 2019, 16 different universities snagged a commit from the Top 25.

St. Frances Academy, which had 10 players in last year’s Top 25, has six players on this year’s list.

See the complete Top 25 as compiled by 247Sports composite below. 1. Landon Tengwall, Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney)
6-6 | 300 | OL | Penn State
The country’s No. 7 tackle prospect and a Top 50 recruit overall. Holds 28 offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan and Texas A&M. All-American and Polynesian Bowl selection. Says 247sports recruiting analyst Brian Dohn: “Elite level prospect who can play at elite school as a freshman. Potential second-round NFL draft pick.”

2. Dont'e Thornton, Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore)
6-4.5 | 185 | WR | Undecided
All-American and Polynesian Bowl selection is the nation’s No. 6 receiver prospect and a Top 55 recruit overall. Caught 38 passes for 1.021 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. Had 40 receptions for 860 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore. Holds 26 offers, including Notre Dame, USC, Penn State, LSU, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Oregon considered the heavy favorite. Runs a 4.63 40-yard dash and has a 33-inch vertical. Also excels in track (100 meters, high jump, long jump, triple jump). Says Dohn: “High-level player for elite Power 5 program. Second- or third-round NFL draft potential.”

3. Demeioun Robinson, Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg)
6-3 | 220 | WDE | Maryland
The country’s No. 3 weakside defensive end prospect and a Top 60 recruit overall. Picked the Terrapins over Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and USC. Holds 26 offers total. All-American Bowl and Under Armourt All-American Game selection. Had 85 tackles, 21 tackles-for-loss, 14 sacks and three forced fumbles last year. Says 247sports recruiting analyst Charles Power: “Projects as an impact pass rusher at the Power Five level with the upside to develop into an early round NFL Draft pick.”

4. Monkell Goodwine, National Christian Academy (Fort Washington)
6-4 | 260 | SDE | Undecided
A Top 125 prospect nationally overall and the country’s No. 9 strongside defensive end recruit. Has a 78.5-inch wingspan, runs a 4.88 40-yard dash and has a 23.2-inch vertical. Alabama, LSU, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Michigan among his 25 offers. Texas A&M listed as the favorite. Says Dohn: “Strong frame with low build. Can play defensive end at 265 pounds. Could move inside in college with weight gain. Good length…Multi-year starter at top 20 program. Could develop into a Day 3 NFL draft pick.”

5. Aaron Willis, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
5-11 | 207 | OLB | Tennessee
All-American and Polynesian Bowl selection committed to the Volunteers on May 10. Nation’s No. 10 outside linebacker prospect and a Top 125 recruit overall. Holds 27 offers, including Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Michigan, LSU and Florida. Says Dohn: “Plays physical, violent and fast. ... Multi-year starter at Top 15 program. Should develop into a mid-round NFL draft choice.”

6. Jalil Farooq, Wise (Upper Marlboro)
6-1 | 200 | WR | Undecided
Nation’s No. 24 receiver prospect and a Top 150 recruit overall. Holds 28 offers, including Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Michigan, LSU and Wisconsin. Oklahoma listed as the favorite. Has 75 career receptions for 1,682 yards and 19 touchdowns. Has also carried the ball 78 times for 801 yards and 11 touchdowns. Vertical is 29.8-inchges. Says Dohn; “Good frame with arm length. Carries 200 pounds like it is 185. ... Multi-year starter at Top 20 program. Should develop into a Day 3 NFL draft pick.”

7. Katron Evans, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
6-4 | 320 | DT | Tennessee
Committed to Tennessee on May 9. Holds a staggering 40 offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State and USC. Nation’s No. 11 defensive tackle prospect. Says Dohn; “Thick, strong build. Can play at 300 pounds. Explosive and physical. ... Multi-year starter at Top 20 program.”

Under Armour All-American game selection is the country’s 14th ranked cornerback prospect. Alabama, Clemson, Michigan and Penn state among his 20 offers. Says Dohn; “Multi-year starter at Top 15 program. Could develop into a mid-round NFL draft selection.”

9. Marcus Bradley, Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg)
6-3 | 270 | DT | Maryland
Nation’s No. 12 defensive tackle prospect committed to the Terrapins on May 1. Under Armour All-American game selection had 41 tackles last season. Holds 36 offers, including Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, USC, Penn State and Oklahoma. Says Dohn: “Combination of strength and athleticism is high. ... Multi-year starter at high-level program. Day 3 NFL draft potential.”

10. Greg Penn, DeMatha (Hyattsville)
6-1 | 225 | ILB | LSU
Under Armour All-American game selection is the country’s ninth ranked inside linebacker prospect. Committed to LSU on July 12. Holds offers including Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Texas A&M. Says Dohn; “Downhill player who tackles through the ball carrier. ... Multi-year starter at Top 20 program. Day 3 NFL draft pick.”

11. Javon Dumas-Johnson, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
Committed to the Bulldogs on July 8. Country’s No. 14 outside linebacker prospect. Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Penn State and Tennessee among his 17 offers. Says Dohn; “Can play inside or outside linebacker. ... Multi-year starter at Top 10 program. Day 3 NFL draft potential.”

12. Ryan Linthicum, Damascus
6-4 | 275 | C | Clemson
Under Armour All-American game selection is the country’s third ranked center prospect. Holds 17 offers, including LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and Virginia Tech. Says Dohn; “Powerful body with sturdy frame. Played lacrosse growing up. Quick feet and athletic. ... Starter early in career at elite program. Likely develops into a Day 2 NFL draft pick.”

13. Kaden Prather, Northwest (Germantown)
6-3 | 210 | WR | West Virginia
Country’s No. 53 receiver prospect committed to the Mountaineers on June 6. Caught 42 passes for 895 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Runs a 4.6 40-yard dash and has a 29.7-inche vertical. Holds 33 offers, including Ohio State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Penn State, Alabama and Auburn. Says Dohn: “Long, big-bodied receiver with ability to play at 225 pounds. Strong and physical. Gets off line quickly and into routes well. ... Multi-year starter at Top 20 program.”

14. Christian Veilleux, Bullis (Potomac)
6-3.5 | 201 | PRO | Penn State
Elite 11 Finals participant has thrown for 3,705 yards and 46 touchdowns the last two years. Has also rushed for nine touchdowns. Runs a 4.95 40-yard dash and has a 32.2-inch vertical. Country’s 16th ranked pro-style quarterback prospect holds 21 offers, including Clemson, LSU, UCLA and Michigan. Says Dohn: “Good frame and size. Pocket passer with mobility. ... Multi-year starter at Top 20 program.”

15. Zakee Wheatley, Archbishop Spalding (Severn)
6-2 | 180 | S | Penn State
A Top 25 safety prospect nationally. Holds 25 offers, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Minnesota and Northwestern. Says Dohn: “Frame and skill set offers position versatility as safety or receiver. Athletic with loose hips. ... Multi-year starter at Top 20 program.”

16. Tommy Akingbesote, Flowers (Springdale)
6-4 | 270 | DT | Maryland
Top 20 defensive tackle prospect nationally holds 15 offers, including Oklahoma, Texas A&M, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. Last year was his first season of football.

17. Colin Mobley, Dematha (Hyattsville)
6-4 | 260 | SDE | USC
A Top 35 strongside defensive end prospect nationally. LSU, Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas A&M and Michigan are among his 29 offers.

18. Ryan Barnes, Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg)
Nation’s No. 37 cornerback prospect. Committed to the the Fighting Irish on June 6. His 33 offers include Clemson, Oregon, LSU, Oklahoma and Michigan.

19. Zion Shockley, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
6-4 | 230 | WDE | Maryland
Top 40 weakside defensive end prospect nationally. Nebraska, Baylor, Tennessee, Arizona State and Michigan State among his 17 offers.

20. Xavier Castillo, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
6-5 | 325 | OG | Undecided
Top 40 guard prospect nationally. Holds nine offers, including Alabama, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Michigan State.

21. Mattheus Carroll, Gilman (Baltimore)
6-3 | 220 | WDE | Virginia Tech
Top 50 weakside defensive end prospect nationally committed to the Hokies on May 31. West Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland, Cincinnati and Syracuse among his 18 offers.

22. Terion Sugick, National Christian Academy (Fort Washington)
6-2.5 | 288 | DT | Vanderbilt
Top 50 defensive tackle prospect nationally committed to the Commodores on April 20. Holds 17 offers, including West Virginia, Maryland, Purdue, Tennessee and Florida.

23. Nigel Tate, Bullis (Potomac)
6-2 | 295 | DT | Boston College
Top 50 defensive tackle prospect nationally committed to the Eagles on May 22.  Holds 14 offers, including Tennessee, Indiana, East Carolina and Wake Forest.

24. Dante Trader Jr., McDonogh (Owings Mills)
6-0 | 180 | ATH | Maryland
Top 75 cornerback prospect nationally runs a 4.84 40-yard dash. Syracuse and Boston College have also offered.

25. Jordan Moore, Loyola Blakefield (Towson)
6-2 | 175 | DUAL | Duke
Top 30 dual-threat quarterback prospect nationally committed to Duke on April 11. Maryland, Boston College, Indiana, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Pitt and Syracuse among his 21 offers.