2026 safety Zahir Cobb commits to Maryland

Washington D.C. St. Albans School three-star safety Zahir Cobb has committed to Maryland.

He chose the Terrapins over offers from Penn State, Virginia Tech, Virginia, South Carolina and others.

Cobb is the No. 637 overall prospect and No. 59 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 3 recruit in D.C.

“Maryland felt like the place for me from the start. All the energy, the culture, and the direction the program’s headed in I knew I wanted to be a part of that and there’s no better place I would rather do that than home,” Cobb told On3’s Steve Wiltfong about his decision.

“Coach (Mike Locksley) and the staff have built something real, and I’m ready to help take it to the next level. No better place to play than home.”

Cobb is a two-way playmaker at the high school level. As a junior for St. Albans, he compiled 37 tackles and five interceptions in the secondary. As a receiver, he hauled in 88 catches for 1,265 yards and 15 touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

Terps looking to build around 5-star commitment in 2026 cycle

The addition of Cobb gives Maryland five commitments this cycle. The Terps’ class currently ranks No. 20 nationally, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

The class is headlined by Baltimore St. Frances Academy five-star EDGE Zion Elee, On3’s No. 1 overall prospect. He committed to the in-state school back in December and remains in the mix, despite other big-name schools trying to stay in the mix. Elee is working to keep other top local recruits home, too.

“It definitely means a lot, you know, being able to stay home and influence the other guys that are in Maryland, it definitely brings attention to big recruits staying home, because that’s not normal at Maryland,” Elee previously told On3. “All the big recruits from Maryland go somewhere else, but me, being a big recruit and going to Maryland, it’s going to influence other guys to stay home, too.”

Elee’s St. Frances teammates, three-star tight end Damon Hall and three-star safety Khmari Bing, are also committed to Maryland. Last month, Barnesville (Ga.) Lamar County three-star linebacker Kaden Carter pledged.

Last cycle, Maryland inked the No. 32 class. With Elee in the fold as the centerpiece, Locksley and his staff will look to push for top-15 status this summer.