COMMITMENT: Maryland unbelievable land another huge commitment deal

Linebacker Carlton Smith committed to Maryland early, well before head coach Mike Locksley began assembling one of the Terps’ best recruiting classes in the last decade. Smith, who plays at Maury High School, a powerhouse in Virginia, has watched the class come together and holds high expectations for the future.

The Terps are gaining serious momentum on the recruiting trail, and Smith is witnessing it firsthand.

In back-to-back Saturdays, Maryland secured Top100 commitments from offensive lineman Jaylen Gilchrist of Virginia Beach (Va.) Salem and safety Messiah Delhomme of Newport News (Va.) Warwick.

“I see a national championship,” Smith said. “I really do. I think we have all the pieces. Everything is falling into place. Getting one of the best quarterbacks in Malik Washington was huge for us. I believe we have a very good chance.”

Gilchrist, Smith, and Delhomme all play within 25 miles of each other, and Smith was the first to commit to Maryland.

He was the third recruit in a class now ranked No. 23 nationally. Smith made his decision on March 11 and hasn’t looked back since.

“It was about the relationships I built with the coaching staff,” Smith said. “They were the first to offer me, and they followed my entire high school career. They always showed me love, attended my games, and made me feel like Maryland was home.”

“They made me feel comfortable, and that was my main priority. I wanted a program where I felt loved and could come in and play.”

Smith is known for his hard-hitting, aggressive style and can play both inside and outside linebacker.
“I feel like I can excel anywhere,” he said. “I’m very versatile, so wherever they put me, I feel I can dominate and pick it up quickly.”

However, he prefers to play inside for the Terps.

“With my quick instincts, explosiveness, and ability to read plays, I think I have an edge playing inside,” Smith said.