Maryland dips into Florida to land a commitment from 4-star safety Brandon Jacob

Orlando (Fla.) Evans four-star safety Brandon Jacob now holds more than 40 offers as he prepares to head into his senior season. While almost every major Power Five program has extended him an offer, only one can say that it was the first to do so.

That school was Maryland as the Terrapins extended him an offer during his freshman year. Jacob’s has visited around six times then and each time he’s gotten a better vibe from the school after each trip.

Jacob repaid that loyalty to the Terrapins on Thursday as he announced his pledge to Maryland choosing them over the likes of Florida, Miami, Texas A&M and UCF.

“I honestly can say I am a little surprised that it is Maryland,” Jacob told On3. “When everything started, and I started to look at the different schools, I always thought I would end up at Miami or Florida State. Over the last few months though, things changed, I got around the Maryland coaching staff more and I felt that was the best fit for me.”

Relationship with Maryland head coach Mike Locksley, special teams coordinator James Thomas Jr. and safeties coach Zac Spavital helped the Terrapins in their pursuit of Jacob. He said that from the jump they made him feel like a priority and that never changed.

Maryland made Jacob feel at home

As difficult of a decision as it was, Jacob admitted that there were some dark times in his recruitment. At times he didn’t know what to do and he was afraid that he might make the wrong decision.

All of those fears were put to rest when Jacob took his official visit to Maryland in June.

“After my official visit, I knew it was Maryland,” said Jacob, the No. 160 player in the 2024 On300. “I had good vibes on all three of my official visits, and even on some unofficial visits, but when I was at Maryland, I just had a different feeling. While I was there, I felt it was the place I could make a home for the next three to four years.

“My comfort level was different there. The coaches, the players and the people there made it feel like I was home and I was treated all weekend like I was one of them and it just felt right.”