Maryland beats SEC programs for four-star OL Jaylen Gilchrist's commitment

Virginia Beach (Va.) Salem On300 offensive lineman Jaylen Gilchrist announced his commitment to Maryland on Saturday.

The four-star chose the Terrapins over South Carolina and Georgia among others.

“I feel like it’s the right fit for me based off who I am,” Gilchrist told On3. “I’ve always been taught not to be a follower. I want to be different and not do what everyone else is doing and I can do all that while staying home.”

Maryland has five offensive linemen committed as they continue to address a big need this cycle.

Gilchrist becomes Maryland’s top-rated commit

The On3 Industry tabs the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Gilchrist as the nation’s No. 9 interior offensive lineman and No. 110 prospect overall. He becomes commit No. 21 for head coach Mike Locksley and his staff and becomes one of the jewels alongside four-star quarterback Malik Washington, four-star athlete Zymear Smith, four-star defensive lineman Bryce Jenkins and talented in-state running back Iverson Howard.

Running backs coach Latrell Scott led the charge in recruiting Gilchrist and offensive line coach Brian Braswell was a huge factor.

“Coach Braswell, I’ve done my due diligence on every o-line coach and who they’re developing and he’s not just developing five stars he’s developing three stars and sometimes even lower,” Gilchrist said.

Terrapins rallied to land the nearby talent

Gilchrist visited Maryland a few times including the spring, his official in June and he returned two weekends ago. South Carolina led most of his process but that last trip to the Terrapins campus changed the pulse.

“Everything about the place,” Gilchrist said. “The community. Everybody down to the coaches. I felt that sense of home.

“Looking at all the commits I feel something big can be done.”

Gilchrist connected with Locksley as well.

“We almost come from the same background,” Gilchrist said. “We can relate differently.”

Gilchrist loves the trajectory of the Maryland program.

“That sense of change and wanting to do something different was a big thing on my end.”