Maryland Fake Coach Scams Top Recruits For Just $30
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Maryland football has become the latest victim of a disturbing trend in college recruiting. According to reports, some individual/individuals are impersonating a Maryland coach to prey on high school athletes' dreams.
The alleged scammers use X accounts to make fake promises to several prospects into believing they received official scholarship offers, all while soliciting small payments to "secure" their spots. The university swiftly issued a public warning, urging recruits to block and report the account to prevent further deception.
😳 NO WAY we’re out here paying for fake offers and reposting them. What’s worse is the grown man behind the screen and the grown men who know what’s goin on but not calling it out or condoning it… 🧵 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TjAb0Fezs9
— Coach Dustin Lawless (@Coach_Lawless) February 1, 2026
The fake profile, operating under the name "Andrew Green" with the handle @coachDREWgreen, claims to be Maryland's director of player personnel, a position that does not exist on the official staff.
Maryland's actual recruiting team includes General Manager of Player Personnel Merci Falaise and Coordinator Marcus Thomas as key figures, alongside specialists like Tommy Paolucci in recruiting operations and others handling on-campus visits and scouting. Only authorized coaches or these designated personnel can extend legitimate offers.
The scammer's tactics proved effective enough to fool multiple standout high school players. Prospects such as Rahem Lipford from Roanoke Catholic, David "D1" Robinson Jr., and Pete Carter publicly celebrated supposed Maryland offers on social media, tagging the bogus account in their announcements.
Screenshots shared by the victims revealed the impersonator requesting just $30 via payment apps to supposedly facilitate the process. The humbleness of the amount makes the offer seem much more innocuous to both the players and their guardians.
Maryland's social media team acted quickly, clarifying that the user has no affiliation with the program and that any offers from "Coach Drew Green" are invalid. This incident is another addition to a list of recurring problems in college sports, where fake accounts proliferate on platforms like X, targeting eager recruits with false promises.
🚨ATTENTION RECRUITS: PLEASE DO NOT ENGAGE WITH @coachDREWgreen 🚨 https://t.co/l6thtfHetg
— Terps Recruiting (@TerpRecruiting) February 1, 2026
Such scams highlight vulnerabilities in an already turbulent era of name, image, and likeness deals and unrestricted transfer portals.
Maryland itself faced tampering accusations in 2025 involving a transfer kicker, adding to the program's scrutiny amid these external threats. Nationally, figures like Clemson's Dabo Swinney have called for stricter NCAA enforcement against tampering, describing the current system as broken with little accountability for violations.
Protecting the Process
For Maryland, the priority remains safeguarding legitimate recruiting efforts. The Terrapins encourage prospects to verify communications through official channels, cross-referencing staff directories on the athletics website. Only direct contact from verified coaches or listed personnel should be considered authentic.
In an environment where real opportunities abound, falling for a $30 con is an unnecessary risk. Maryland continues to build its classes ethically, hoping incidents like this prompt stronger platform oversight and industry reforms.
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Rituraj Halder is a football junkie. He covers everything from clutch game-day moments to the stories that offer a glimpse into the locker room. Over the years, he’s written for outlets like Pro Sports and Football Network, Esports on Sports Illustrated, Sportskeeda, and EssentiallySports, carving out a voice that blends sharp analysis with genuine passion. Whether it’s breaking down a Big Ten rivalry, highlighting rising stars, or capturing the emotion that fuels the game, Rituraj writes football the way fans feel it: loud, proud, and all in.