Maryland football continues to reshape its receiver room ahead of spring ball, and the latest addition brings both production and versatility. The Terps officially announced the addition of Ejani Shakir, a junior college standout who becomes the third wide receiver to join the program this offseason.
Shakir comes in with a solid résumé. At 6-foot, 190 pounds, he’s not just another name on the roster-he’s a playmaker.
Over two seasons at Independence Community College, Shakir tallied 879 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 57 receptions. But he wasn’t limited to just catching passes.
He also made noise on special teams, racking up nearly 500 yards on 19 kick returns. That dual-threat ability earned him First Team All-KJCCC honors as a wide receiver and Second Team recognition as a returner.
This isn’t Shakir’s first brush with Maryland, either. The Terps were familiar with him coming out of high school at Winslow Township (NJ), where he was a three-star prospect.
He was even on campus for spring ball in 2023, when then-assistant Henry Baker was leading the recruiting charge. That early connection now comes full circle as Shakir joins a program looking to reload at the wide receiver position.
Maryland’s coaching staff, led by Mike Locksley, has a track record with Indy CC talent. Early in his tenure, Locksley brought in four players from the same program, including Ami Finau, Mosiah Nasili-Kite, and Johari Branch-each of whom carved out meaningful roles in College Park. The hope is that Shakir can follow a similar path.
While Shakir adds depth and special teams value, the Terps are also counting on their other offseason additions-Na’eem Gladding from Old Dominion and Chris Durr Jr. from Wyoming-to make an impact in the passing game. They’ll join a returning core that includes Kaleb Webb and Ryan Manning, two receivers who bring experience and chemistry to the offense.
Tight ends Dorian Fleming and Preston Howard, both veterans in the system, are expected to provide stability and leadership in the room as well. With spring ball just around the corner, Maryland’s receiver unit is shaping up to be a blend of proven talent, fresh energy, and intriguing upside.
The competition for snaps will be fierce, and that’s exactly how Locksley wants it. If Shakir can bring the same explosiveness to College Park that he showed in junior college, he could be more than just a depth piece-he might be a difference-maker.