Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
College Park, MD–
While the Terps haven’t had some of the best seasons of late, drafting four players in the NFL draft in 2019 is something to say about the caliber of athletes that have carried some parts of both the offense and defense, despite the lack of W’s in the win column.
The Terps first guy off the board was Darnell Savage Jr. (first round; Green Bay Packers), Byron Cowart (fifth round; New England Patriots) and Ty Johnson (sixth round – Detroit Lions) and last Derwin Grey by the Steelers in the seventh round.
While the Terps showcased their upcoming team in the Spring game today, Savage was on hand and had nothing but good things to say about his path to the NFL through College Park.”I really enjoyed this program and my teammates,” said Savage. They helped me grow in my time here as a Terp and I hope some of the fans will continue to watch my journey to the next level.”
“To hear my name called on draft night is the realization of a lifelong dream. I’m ecstatic to be a Green Bay Packer. I want to thank my parents, family, coaches and brothers inside the Maryland locker room that helped me reach this point. We’re going to enjoy this moment tonight and then I can’t wait to get to Green Bay to start my NFL journey,” said Savage.
“I really enjoyed this program and my teammates. They helped me grow in my time here as a Terp and I hope some of the fans will continue to watch my journey to the next level.”
With Savage’s selection, Maryland has now had a player chosen in 23 of the last 25 NFL Drafts. Savage is the 17th player in program history to be drafted in the first round.
With DJ Moore being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Maryland now boasts NFL first round selections in consecutive years for the first time since Shawne Merriman (2005) and Vernon Davis (2006).
This is the first time since 2009 where the Terps have had more than two players taken in the draft in the same season.
