ACC offer for Opara

Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin defensive tackle Kingsley Opara landed his first offer on Tuesday.

"I found out Maryland offered me today because my head coach spoke with them on the phone today," Opara said. "I haven't been able to talk with them today. I have spoken with Maryland one time before. I know they checked on me about a week ago and got some of my highlights. I guessed they watched them because a week later they are offering me."

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive tackle intends to get in contact with a couple members of Randy Edsall's staff this week.

"I am going to call the defensive coordinator (Brian Stewart) and Coach (Lyndon) Johnson sometime this week," Opara said.

At this stage, Opara doesn't know a great deal about the Terps.

"I know their head coach used to coach at UConn," Opara said. "I also know they have a lot of different, really nice jerseys."

Opara reports that he is also drawing a lot of attention from Connecticut, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, South Florida, and Syracuse. He has visited Georgia Tech and Miami. He talked a bit about each of those junior day trips.

"I took a tour of the campus at Georgia Tech," Opara said. "I also got a chance to put on the jersey and try on a helmet. I got to talk to a couple of the players like Julian Burnett and Jeremiah Attaochu. I also got to meet Coach (Joe) Speed and meet with my recruiting coordinator, Coach (Lamar) Owens, who I have been in contact with since my sophomore year."

"Miami was fun," Opara added. "I took a tour with Coach (Micheal) Barrow and the defensive line coach (Jethro Franklin). I got a feel of how it is to be a Hurricane. I met some other commitments like Keith Bryant and Jayron Kearse."

Next up for the three-star defensive lineman will be a visit to College Park to check out Maryland.

"I want to try to maybe go to their spring game," Opara said. "I may also visit there during the summer."

Opara said he believes that Georgia Tech is likely the closest to extending an offer at this time.