5-star edge Zion Elee signs letter of intent with Maryland football

Five-star edge rusher and Maryland native Zion Elee officially signed his letter of intent with Maryland football Wednesday afternoon at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore.

The 6-foot-3.5, 220-pound pass rusher committed to Maryland on Dec. 7, 2024, choosing the Terps over South Carolina, Auburn and Alabama, among others. Elee is the No. 5-ranked recruit in the Class of 2026, according to 247Sports Composite, and now officially the highest-rated recruit in the 247Sports rankings era to sign with Maryland

With the signing of Elee, Maryland’s 2026 recruiting class is ranked No. 46 in the nation, according to 247Sports.

Elee is set to join a defensive end room that boasted two young phenoms in Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart — both entering their sophomore seasons in 2026.

The next domino to watch is whether Elee’s arrival sends Mathis or Stewart to the portal. All three have the talent to be high-level starters next season — it would take one of the three sacrificing a starting role to make the trio work. But if they stay, Maryland could have one of the best pass rush units in the country next season.