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Zion Elee fueled speculation surrounding the Maryland football team with an ominous social media post after the Terps’ recent loss to Rutgers. Will he play football at the university next season?
Much could come down to the future of head coach Mike Locksley. There is an overwhelming belief that his time on the sidelines is coming to an end.
Maryland fell to 4-5 in the 2025 season after being beaten on the road by the Scarlet Knights. It was the Terrapins‘ fifth loss in their last five tries.
Locksley entered the year with a hot seat following last season’s 4-8 output. That temperature is now scorching amid the lengthy losing skid.
One thing potentially keeping the head coach from a midseason firing is Elee’s commitment. Should he lose that pledge, calls for his job will grow louder.
Who is Zion Elee?
Elee is a five-star player from Baltimore considered the top prospect in the state. 247 Sports lists him as being the No. 2 overall recruit regardless of position, as well as the nation’s best defensive end in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Elee’s offer sheet reflects that rating. He’s been extended scholarship opportunities at Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, and more. He committed to the hometown program in December of last year.
Despite that pledge, Elee’s kept his options open. He’s taken official visits to a pair of SEC programs this year, with the most recent making major headlines.
The 5-star recruit visited South Carolina.
He was on campus in October to watch the Gamecocks take on Alabama. Mike Locksley expanded upon that recruiting trip while speaking to the media.
“In my opinion, those guys, you know they get paid to go take those trips now. Why would I be mad for Zion to make five to ten grand to go down to South Carolina? He’s been one of those guys that’s been really loyal to this area, he’s been loyal to me and the program that we’ve created.”
-Mike Locksley
The head coach suggested that South Carolina paid Zion Elee to come to campus. That would be a recruiting violation if true. Ironically, Locksley committed his own recruiting violation with the insinuation due to his mentioning Elee by name.
The edge rusher posted a series of photos from the visit on social media. His caption read, “Weekend Getaway,” with the hashtag #ForeverCommitted included.
That commitment is now being questioned.
Will Zion Elee play at Maryland?
— Zion Elee (@D1zion26) November 9, 2025
Elee reshared a picture from his recruiting visit to Columbia two weeks after the fact. The timing was curious.
It came as Rutgers finished off a 35-20 win over the team in which Elee is currently committed. Some suggest it signaled an imminent flip. At the very least, it could be sign of wavering.
South Carolina has had recent recruiting success in the DMV area. It’s led to an off-field rivalry between the programs’ fanbases despite the fact that schools haven’t played since 1971.
Shane Beamer denied paying Zion Elee for his official visit. He would love nothing more than to stick it to Mike Locksley with another recruiting win.
With that being said, he may not be dealing with Locksley much longer.
Mike Locksley might get fired.
Fans are not happy with the product that’s been put on the field. Since the start of the 2024 campaign, the Terrapins are 8-13. They’ve lost 13 of their last 15 conference games.
Frustrations grew during Maryland’s most recent home game, a 55-10 loss to Indiana. Attendees largely abandoned the stadium by the start of the fourth quarter. Those that did stay on to watch called for the coach’s job from the stands.
Should the program opt to move on, it would owe Locksley $13 million in buyout money. Big money boosters are reportedly split on helping cover that expense.
While many are upset with the progress, there are some willing to be patient with the eighth-year coach.
That patience will wear thin should success continue to prove elusive. The recruiting loss of a five-star talent would only fuel the flames.