Three-star DT Jalen Alexander commits to Maryland

Maryland’s 2018 class now sits at 21 pledges with their most recent commitment coming Oct. 12 from Chesapeake (Va.) Western Branch three-star defensive tackle Jalen Alexander.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound prospect chose the Terps over fellow finalists Georgia Tech, North Carolina and North Carolina State.

“With the Terps, I just know I’m gonna go with a whole bunch of ‘757’ guys that I know,” Alexander told VirginiaPreps.com back in July. “I bond well with the whole coaching staff. They treat me like I’m already a player there when I visit there, so it’s nice. I was there before Georgia and I plan on going back there at the end of July.”

Alexander did indeed revisit College Park at the end of July, and the thought of living and playing there one day seemed to have caught his eye.

Alexander was primarily recruited by Terps wide receivers coach Chris Beatty, who has strong ties to the Tidewater Region where the interior defensive lineman is from.

Alexander is rated by Rivals as the No. 29 defensive tackle in his class and No. 10 player in the state of Virginia. He now joins Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha four-star Austin Fontaine as one of two defensive tackles committed to Maryland’s 2018 class at the moment.

The son of Norfolk (Va.) Booker T. Washington head football coach DJ Alexander, Jalen plans on graduating high school this winter and enrolling early at Maryland.

Alexander’s size, power and body control make him an interesting talent for Terps defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh to add to his stable of players. He is quick off the ball, aggressive and known for having a high motor. If he can sharpen up his technique, Alexander could become a force to be reckoned with in College Park.