Zion Elee’s Shocking Commitment to Maryland Football Sends Recruiting World Into Frenzy

Zion Elee’s journey from a Maryland hometown prodigy to headline-grabbing five-star edge rusher is officially inscribed in the annals of Terps history — the moment he inked his letter of intent on a brisk Wednesday afternoon at Baltimore’s own St. Frances Academy. Towering at 6-foot-3.5 and tipping the scales at 220 pounds, this merciless pass rusher flipped the script on powerhouse programs like Alabama, Auburn, and South Carolina when he pledged allegiance to Maryland on December 7, 2024. Ranked fifth nationally in the 2026 class by 247Sports Composite, Elee doesn’t just bring raw talent; he shatters Maryland’s recruiting ceiling as the highest-rated recruit to sign in the 247Sports era. His commitment lifts the Terps into the nationally ranked recruiting conversation, slotting the class at 46th overall. Adding Zion to the defensive end lineup featuring sophomores Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart stirs a tantalizing “what if” — could this trio redefine the nation’s top pass rush? The gridiron chessboard is set, and the moves next season promise fireworks. LEARN MORE

Five-star edge rusher and Maryland native Zion Elee officially signed his letter of intent with Maryland football Wednesday afternoon at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore.

The 6-foot-3.5, 220-pound pass rusher committed to Maryland on Dec. 7, 2024, choosing the Terps over South Carolina, Auburn and Alabama, among others. Elee is the No. 5-ranked recruit in the Class of 2026, according to 247Sports Composite, and now officially the highest-rated recruit in the 247Sports rankings era to sign with Maryland

With the signing of Elee, Maryland’s 2026 recruiting class is ranked No. 46 in the nation, according to 247Sports.

Elee is set to join a defensive end room that boasted two young phenoms in Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart — both entering their sophomore seasons in 2026.

The next domino to watch is whether Elee’s arrival sends Mathis or Stewart to the portal. All three have the talent to be high-level starters next season — it would take one of the three sacrificing a starting role to make the trio work. But if they stay, Maryland could have one of the best pass rush units in the country next season.