Maryland signs Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Zion Elee

Baltimore St. Frances Academy Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Zion Elee has signed with Maryland.

When he committed to the Terrapins on Dec. 7 last winter, many were unsure that the pledge would stick all the way to National Signing Day. Many programs tried to lure Elee away from College Park, but he’s stuck to his word and is now headed to the local Big Ten program.

It’s a monster addition for Mike Locksley and the Terps as Elee headlines a small class that’s hovered around the top 40 of the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. He’s the No. 5 overall prospect and top-ranked EDGE in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies.

Elee has long been one of the top prospects in the nation regardless of class. His early pledge to Maryland last winter surprised some. Since then, though, Elee has continued to reaffirm his pledge.

“I’m staying locked in with Maryland,” Elee told Rivals in August. “The relationship I have with the coaches is pretty tight. Obviously, we are still building because I still talk to them on a constant basis.”

Auburn was a program that garnered some traction heading into the summer. South Carolina pushed hard this fall while Texas tried to make a splash, too. Locksley and his staff felt comfortable about keeping the Five-Star Plus+ recruit in the fold, even when he popped up on another campus.

He now heads to Maryland from St. Frances Academy, one of the top high school football programs in the nation. Elee is the lone blue-chipper in the Terps’ class, but boy is he a big one.

Zion Elee Scouting Summary

Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team writes this of Elee as a prospect:

“Electric speed rusher with an elite combination of athleticism and length off the edge. Measured around 6-foot-3, 220 pounds prior to his junior season. Has truly elite length, with arms that measure 35.5 inches. Pairs the rare length with top-shelf athleticism. A standout in the combine setting who transfers the speed over to the field. Plays with an eye-popping burst, dating back to his sophomore year at Joppatowne (Md.) High. Explodes into the backfield with high-end first-step quickness. Transferred to Baltimore power St. Frances Academy for his junior season and turned in a strong campaign, racking up 28 tackles for loss and 10 sacks against top competition.

…Showed game-wrecking tendencies in showcase games. Often plays as a standup pass rusher. Has blow-by speed off the edge. Play strength and ability to set the edge is solid but will need to continue improving. Rare athletic and physical traits combined with consecutive years of high-level production make him the top EDGE prospect in the 2026 cycle entering his senior season.”