4-star EDGE Zahir Mathis commits to Maryland

Philadelphia Imhotep Institute four-star EDGE Zahir Mathis has committed to Maryland, he announced on National Signing Day.

He chose the Terrapins following his decommitment from Ohio State in November. He also considered the likes of Florida State, Michigan and UCLA once coming back on the board late in the process.

Mathis is the No. 170 overall prospect and No. 16 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 4 player in Pennsylvania.

Head coach Mike Locksley and his staff pick up one more big recruiting win to close out its 2025 class, as Mathis becomes the third top-200 recruit to join the fold in College Park. The Terps got Mathis’ final visit last weekend and have now added him to a class that ranks near the top 30 of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

“The location,” Mathis’ coach, Cyril Woodland told On3 regarding what sticks out about the Big Ten program. “Being able to come in there and play early. It’s a bunch of stuff. It was getting down and letting his family see it and everything they have to offer.”

Maryland adds another blue-chipper to 2025 class

Mathis becomes one of the three highest-ranked prospects in Maryland’s 2025 class. Headlining the incoming Terps is Baltimore Archbishop Spalding four-star quarterback Malik Washington, the No. 105 recruit and No. 11 QB in the cycle.

“The program is on the rise and are starting to gain some traction in the Big Ten,” Washington told On3. “I feel like I can go there and leave an impact.”

Washington committed at the end of June and helped Maryland build its pledge list from there. He was one of a whopping 12 commits for Locksley and Co. that month. July saw Washington D.C. Friendship Collegiate four-star defensive lineman Bryce Jenkins and Denton (Md.) North Caroline four-star athlete Zymear Smith both join the fold.

In August, Virginia Beach (Va.) Salem four-star interior offensive lineman Jaylen Gilchrist and Newport News (Va.) Warwick four-star safety Messiah Delhomme both committed. Gilchrist is the No. 3 IOL in the On300.

Other top signees in the class include: Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard On300 running back Iverson Howard, Baltimore Maury three-star linebacker CJ Smith, Baltimore Mergenthaler three-star wide receiver Justin Devaughn, Hollywood (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas three-star linebacker Travares Daniels and Quincy (Fla.) Gadsden County three-star offensive tackle Lamar Williams.