When highly regarded Saint Frances edge rusher Zion Elee committed to Maryland in December 2024 seemingly out of nowhere, there was a lot of cynicism that the Terps would be able to keep Elee in the fold until the early signing period for the Class of 2026 the following December.
But Elee made it official last month, becoming the highest-rated recruit to ever sign with Maryland.
“It was pretty fun, not going to lie, just seeing the looks on their faces when I actually did it,” Elee said on Glenn Clark Radio Dec. 31. “When you say nobody believed me, literally no one believed that I was actually going to end up here and now I am.”
The Terps went 4-8 each of the past two seasons, closing the most recent campaign on an eight-game losing streak. So why did Elee stick with Maryland when the Baltimore native could have opened up his recruitment?
“It’s where I’m from, first of all,” Elee said. “It’s not too far. It gives me comfortability. I know that area. I have a great connection with the coach. We can relate because we’re from the same area. It’s just a bigger connection than I would have than a guy I just met during the recruiting process in another state all the way over there. Why go 300 miles when I go 50 and I can develop where I am?”
Elee also noted the success Maryland has had in developing pro talent. Eighteen players have been drafted from Locksley’s teams, starting with the 2020 NFL Draft. Most recently, the Terps had six draft picks in 2025.
“It’s not like Maryland is in a conference or a predicament where I can’t develop,” Elee said. “Maryland has players that went to the league. There’s proof in the pudding in the development era, so I can definitely develop where I am.”
Once it was clear Michael Locksley was going to return as head coach — athletic director Jim Smith made the decision in mid-November — Elee was set to put pen to paper.
“It was definitely a big deal,” Elee said. “There was some controversy where he wasn’t about to stay, but when Maryland made that decision to keep him I was pretty excited and I was still ready to go.”
In addition to Elee remaining in that fold, rising sophomore edge rushers Zahir Mathis (35 tackles, 6.0 sacks) and Sidney Stewart (32 tackles, 7.0 sacks) opted to return to Maryland. As such, the Terps should field the kind of pass rush necessary to take a step forward defensively in 2025. Maryland allowed 26.5 points per game, the fifth-worst mark in the 18-team Big Ten.
Elee already knows both of them. Elee and Stewart live close to one another and are frequent training partners, while Elee knows Mathis from last year’s Under Armour All-America Game.
“It definitely is going to be a special thing to watch,” Elee said.
Elee is thankful for how Saint Frances developed him as a player and person. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound edge rusher says he improved in play recognition, in the run game and as a pass rusher this past season, but he’ll leave the school as a better human being, too.
“The environment definitely molded me into a better man and who I am today,” Elee said. “Being there changed my trajectory and the way I think of things, the way I think of things on the field and off the field. It impacted me a lot. There are a lot of guys that are from different situations and different places in the area. We just all bonded together.”
For more from Elee, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Saint Frances Athletics