Draft Prospects Showcase Their Talents at Maryland Pro Day
Nov 1, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) looks to the sidelines against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Maryland defeated Penn State 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The Maryland Terrapins held their annual Pro Day on Thursday, giving the 13 Terps entering the draft an opportunity to work out in front of NFL scouts, including Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. It is not only a big day for those with household names, but also those under-the-radar players who are looking to improve their draft stock. Whatever the Terps did, they had to battle a little wind, but the show had to go on. Here are some notes from yesterday’s Maryland Pro Day.
WR Stefon Diggs
Of course Diggs is the guy that everyone came to see. Despite the wind, he still put on a show. Diggs ran crisp routes and caught all but one pass, which was altered by the conditions. He went hard in all of the drills and his explosiveness is something that really stood out. He was satisfied with his 4.46 40-yard dash time that he ran at the Scouting Combine, so he chose not to run again yesterday.
Diggs was asked about any contact with the Baltimore Ravens and he responded, saying, “I’ve had conversations with the Ravens, especially at the combine. Everybody knows I would love to stay home. I would love to play for one of the hometown teams.”
Diggs is currently considered to be a mid-round pick and with his skill set, any NFL team should have him on their draft board.
WR Deon Long
Deon Long was the other big name that coaches wanted to get a good look at. Long is a very talented player, but his day didn’t go as well as Diggs’ did. His routes did not seem to be as crisp as they usually are and he also dropped a few balls. He also struggled with his 40-yard dash, false starting multiple times and according to BaltimoreRavens.com, he wasn’t happy with his time. Everyone is entitled to an off day. Long will just have to prove to scouts that this performance doesn’t define him.
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DL Darius Kilgo
Kilgo had a solid senior season and that momentum has carried over as he heads into the draft. He put up 33 reps on the bench press, which is a very good showing. That strength is something these coaches are looking for when evaluating interior defensive linemen. Kilgo is taking visits with multiple teams and wants to show his versatility on the defensive front. Said Kilgo of his Pro Day, “I just wanted to prove myself that I can be a draft-able guy. That’s what I wanted to do today”
DE Andre Monroe
Monroe is probably the one Maryland player with the most to prove. He doesn’t have the size of your typical defensive end, which is why he feels he has to work that much harder. He has not had much contact with any teams, but he’s hoping that his workout on Thursday will help generate some buzz around his name.
LB Cole Farrand
Cole Farrand doesn’t have elite athleticism or anything like that. He’s just a football player. A number of coaches were impressed with his workout and they let him know. NFLDraftScout ranks him as the 32nd-best inside linebacker in the draft class. Farrand has all of the intangibles that will serve him well and make him a solid contributor to an NFL team.
Other Terps who participated: Linebackers Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil, L.A. Goree, Alex Twine and Matt Robinson; defensive linemen Keith Bowers and Spencer Myers; defensive back Jeremiah Johnson and center Sal Conaboy.