Big Ten Roundup (Aug. 9): Maryland Lands 3-Star WR, Wisconsin LB Has Surgery on Hand

Mekhai White, a three-star wide receiver in the class of 2024, committed to Mike Locksley and the Maryland Terrapins on Tuesday, while Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta had surgery on his hand, though he is not expected to miss any regular season games.

Maryland and Mike Locksley just keep landing new commits for the class of 2024, particularly those that are close to College Park. 

On Tuesday, three-star wide receiver Mekhai White committed to Maryland, making him the Terrapins' 18th overall commit in the class of 2024. White plays at King George High School in Virginia, and is Maryland's third commitment from the state in the class of 2024.

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Luke Fickell told media at Wisconsin fall camp that linebacker Maema Njongmeta was wearing an arm sling at practice due to surgery on his hand. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Mekhai White Commits to Maryland

Being a Maryland football fan used to be one of life's most painful endeavors.

It's only been a few years under Locksley, and the head coach still has work to do, but signs keep pointing up for his Terrapins' program. 

I’M HOME TERP NATION LETS GOO‼️ #GoTerps 🐢 pic.twitter.com/g1cXlsbacr

— Mekhai White (@mekhai_white) August 8, 2023

White is the 16th three-star commit in Maryland's 2024 recruiting class, and is the seventh-overall ranked prospect in the state of Virginia for the class, according to 247 Sports. 

Though they did not heavily pursue White for his commitment, the three-star athlete had offers from national title contenders in Georgia, Michigan and LSU, according to 247. White also had offers from a number of Big Ten teams in Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Nebraska and Indiana. 

White also plays free safety at King George, and his Hudl highlights can be seen here. 

The commitment of White gives Maryland the 40th overall ranked 2024 recruiting class, and the 12th-ranked class out of the 18 teams that will be in the Big Ten by 2024, according to 247 Sports. 

Surgery for LB Maema Njongmeta 

Njongmeta was a key contributor to the Badgers at linebacker in 2022. The Buffalo Grove, Ill., product started in 11 games and tallied 95 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception on the season. At the end of the year, Njongmeta was named to the media's third team All-Big Ten. 

Being an expected starter for Wisconsin at inside linebacker in 2023, it was concerning at fall camp in Madison when the redshirt senior came out wearing an arm sling. Fickell later confirmed that Njongmeta had surgery on his hand, but is expected to be fully ready to go at the start of the regular season. 

"They say he’ll be back to practice when we go back to campus,” Fickell told The Camp’s Zach Heilprin. “Now, we’ll be smart. He’ll have a big club on his hand.” 

Wisconsin's first season under Fickell begins on Sept. 2, when the Badgers host MAC opponent Buffalo. According to the first-year head coach, the veteran linebacker should be out there and ready to lock things down for the Wisconsin defense, even if it will be difficult for him to record any more interceptions with that giant club on his hand.

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