Four-star ATH RJ Maryland Commits to BC
Andy BackstromStaff Writer
Boston College landed its third four-star recruit of the 2022 cycle Monday afternoon.
Tight end/wide receiver RJ Maryland (5.8 RR) from Carroll High School (South Lake, Texas) committed to the Eagles and has the opportunity to become just the third four-star BC signee at the position since Rivals started tracking recruiting in 2002.
The others were Jordan McMichael (2006) and Brian Miller (2011). Neither registered a double-digit reception season in Chestnut Hill. Recently, the Eagles’ most prolific tight ends have been unheralded recruits. In fact, their last two players to be drafted at the position—Tommy Sweeney and Hunter Long—were both two-star prospects coming out of high school.
But Maryland could very well enjoy similar success, especially because of how he fits into second-year offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr.’s pro-style scheme.
While in high school, the 6-foot-3, 196-pound tight end has been lined up out wide, in the slot and in the backfield. Sound familiar? Well, according to Pro Football Focus, Long was in the slot 32.8% of the time last season and out wide for 8.9% of his snaps. And Cignetti frequently motioned him in the backfield to set up outside zone runs or help Long lose defenders upon release. It produced some explosive pass plays, starting with a 35-yard hookup at Duke.
Maryland has length and can stretch the field vertically. But he also can break in and out of routes, create separation with his hands at the line of scrimmage and go up and get 50-50 balls. He’s a capable inline blocker, too.
As far as the Class of 2022 goes, Maryland’s ranked the 45th-best recruit in Texas and the 12th-best tight end in the country.
BC’s 2022 recruiting class now ranks sixth nationally and second in the ACC, only behind Florida State. Maryland is the third four-star recruit in the group and the fifth of the Jeff Hafley era. Hafley had two recruits from the Lone Star State sign in 2021.
Maryland was fielding 22 other offers, according to the Rivals database, from the likes of Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Miami, Michigan State and Purdue.
