Maryland EDGE commit Zion Elee earns Five-Star Plus+ ranking status

Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy edge rusher Zion Elee has established himself as one of the nation’s top overall recruits over the past year.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is On3’s No. 1-ranked recruit in the 2026 class and is coming off a massive junior season for the national powerhouse Panthers. And on Monday, his status as an elite prospect was even further cemented as he earned the coveted Five-Star Plus+ denotation — ranking as a five-star according to all four major recruiting services.

In the newly updated Rivals250 rankings, Elee was tabbed as the No. 19 prospect nationally and moved up a five-star. On3, 247Sports and ESPN all have him ranked as top-2 prospect in their most recent updates.

Elee is one of just four Five-Star Plus+ prospects in his class, joining Miami offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, Georgia quarterback pledge Jared Curtis and offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho, another Baltimore prospect.

“He is an electric speed rusher with an elite combination of athleticism and length off the edge,” writes On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power. “Elee measured around 6-foot-3, 220 pounds prior to his junior season. And he has truly elite length, with arms that measure 35.5 inches. He pairs the rare length with top-shelf athleticism, and is a standout in the combine setting who transfers the speed over to the field. At his size, he plays with an eye-popping burst, dating back to his sophomore year at Joppatowne (Md.) High.”

As a junior, Elee totaled 56 tackles (including 28 tackles for loss), 10 sacks and three forced fumbles while playing a national schedule against high-level competition.

Elee remains committed to Maryland as others pursue

Despite offers from Big Ten and SEC powerhouses, Elee committed to the local school, Maryland, back in December. Oregon was considered the biggest threat to the Terrapins, but Mike Locksley and Co. landed their biggest commitment to date with him.

Since then, schools have continued to pursue him, including Auburn. Elee initially planned to take no other official visits besides Maryland, but chose to visit the Tigers last month.

As he told AuburnLive.com though, nothing has changed with his decision.

“I enjoyed my visit to Auburn,” he said. “I’m still 100% committed to Maryland and my recruitment is still closed.”