Wolff Scores Touchdown As Venice Falls 49-13 to IMG Academy

Tight end commit Weston Wolff made the most of his opportunities on national TV as he hauled in a touchdown

A fast offensive start from the IMG Academy offense gave the Ascenders an early lead on Friday night as Venice struggled to gain momentum. Faced with a 21-0 deficit, Venice turned to the air attack as quarterback Colin Blazek turned to Maryland commit Weston Wolff. A handful of errant passes stalled their offensive momentum until the final drive of the first half.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound athlete was split outside for most of the unit to capitalize on his length downfield. Wolff used that to his advantage as he drew a pair of pass interferences to threaten for a scoring opportunity. Wolff took advantage in the final minute out of the slot as he gained separation on a 21-yard inside slant to give Venice their first score of the night to tighten the lead to 14 heading into halftime. 

After a quick three-and-out to begin the second half, IMG took over and reassumed control of the game as they scored 28 unanswered points. Blazek connected with Platt in the final minutes of the fourth quarter before IMG ran out the clock en route to their season-opening win.

The sample size was not large for Wolff on Friday night but the elusive tight end still showed the versatility he brings to the tight end room. Wolff previously told All Terrapins he dedicated his offseason development to working out split out more. “I’ve worked a lot more out of the slot because I played a lot of split out. Just try and practice as much as I can running routes out of the slot where I’ll probably be playing most in college. That’s a little different technique but that’s the main thing I’ve tried to improve the last few months.” Wolff gained separation in the second level to set up the deep ball in the third quarter, inching Venice closer to scoring territory before a squandered opportunity.

Friday's performance was proof of Wolff's role as the receiving tight end in Maryland's offense next fall as his ability to high point the ball given his length proves to be a difference-maker. The end result was not what he had hoped in his final high school season-opener, but Wolff proved to consistently find separation and used his agility to his advantage. Won't be tasked with a primary blocking scheme, but his limited reps in specific packages will translate to the next level as he has plenty to grow at 225 pounds. That added size and strength will also help Wolff absorb contact at the next level the way he did on his touchdown catch as the Florida tight end provides ample excitement to head coach Mike Locksley and tight ends coach Mike Miller.

Wolff is one of four tight end commits for the Terps and committed within days of Pennsylvania tight end CJ Dippre. Local tight ends Leron Husbands and Joseph Bearns round out the four-man haul for the Terps in the 2021 cycle.