If Week 1 was about setting tones, Zion Elee just rang out like a siren. The five-star St. Frances Academy (Md.) edge rusher helped lead the Panthers to a 42–13 rout of national power Chaminade-Madonna in the Broward County National Football Showcase at St. Thomas Aquinas, jumping ahead 28–7 by halftime and never looking back.
The performance doubles as a recruiting reminder. The Hurricanes are still very much in contact with Elee, even as he remains publicly committed to Maryland. The 6-foot-3-inch, 220-pound pass rusher — celebrated for elite length (35.5-inch arms) and one of the most effective first steps in the country — has been rated a Five-Star Plus+ prospect (five-star by all four major services) and the No. 1 overall player in the Rivals 2026 Industry Ranking.
After transferring to St. Frances for 2024, he posted 56 tackles, 28 TFLs and 10 sacks. As a sophomore in 2023, he racked up 64 tackles, 24 TFLs and 13 sacks.
Elee committed to Maryland in December of 2024, which is a monumental get for the Terps. In February, ESPN reported he also shut down outside official visits. But more recently, Elee told recruiting reporters he’s still replying to exactly three programs besides Maryland: Miami, Penn State and South Carolina.
Three schools are continuing their efforts to flip Maryland Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Zion Elee, he tells @BenjaminRivals👀
— Rivals (@Rivals) August 24, 2025
“Those are the only three I respond to.”
Intel: https://t.co/4rzMQqwkk8 pic.twitter.com/1zm0YuDH0h
So you're saying there's a chance?
For now, the junior says he’s only planning to visit Maryland, including the Aug. 30 season opener vs. FAU in College Park. If that holds, Miami’s best move is to keep the conversation warm and let Hard Rock Stadium sell itself on TV in the Sunday-night opener the following day.
With Elee still picking up Miami’s calls, there could be some real momentum if the Hurricanes get big wins early against Notre Dame and Florida. Only time will tell if he is seriously considering a commitment flip.