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Maryland Football: Terps Host Pro Day for NFL Teams

By Joe Serpico

Oct 25, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big 10 logo on the field at Camp Randall Stadium following the game between the Maryland Terrapins and Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin won 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big 10 logo on the field at Camp Randall Stadium following the game between the Maryland Terrapins and Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin won 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Maryland football hosted representatives from 27 NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, at their Pro Day on Wednesday.

The Maryland Terrapins had 11 former players work out in front of coaches, scouts and the media as they continue their dreams of playing football. The Ravens were one of the many teams in attendance to look over the workouts.

The Terps had nine players from the 2015 squad – Brad Craddock, Sean Davis, A.J. Hendy, Quinton Jefferson, Yannick Ngakoue, Anthony Nixon, Brandon Ross, Avery Thompson and Andrew Zeller – as well as two former Terps – Daniel Adams and Keith Bowers – work out for NFL personnel.

For many of the players, it was their first and maybe only opportunity to work out in front of NFL representatives. The Terps had four players at the NFL Combine – Craddock, Davis, Jefferson and Ngakoue – so today was important to some of the draft hopefuls.

Former Maryland wide receiver and current Minnesota Viking Stefon Diggs was also in College Park to offer his support to his former teammates. Diggs was a fifth round pick last season, the only Terp to be drafted, and had a solid rookie campaign.

“Seeing [Diggs] gave me a little boost, amped me up a little bit,” Davis said.

Davis, Jefferson and Ngakoue are the most likely to hear their names called at some point during the draft. Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com noted that Ngakoue and Davis are players that would fill needs for the Ravens.

The troubling news of the afternoon is that Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Joey Porter was also in attendance at Maryland’s Pro Day. He was likely there to see Ngakoue, who also has visits lined up with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans. No one reading this wants to see s former Terp wearing black and yellow next season.

Smith is an interesting player to watch because teams are not sure what position he will play at the next level. He played safety in his first three season at Maryland before switching to cornerback his senior season. He is projected to be a fourth- or fifth-round pick, depending on where teams feel he is best.

Craddock has been working out with former Ravens kicker Matt Stover and showed off a strong leg in his workout. He owns several records, including the most consecutive field goals made in school and Big Ten Conference history. It’s unlikely that he is drafted, but he could be given a shot to compete for a job in training camp this summer.

The 2016 NFL Draft is April 28-30 and will be held in Chicago.

Next: What's Next for Maryland Basketball?

New Maryland Head Coach D.J. Dirkin had a mediocre recruiting class in his few months in College Park so losing a player of Ngakoue’s caliber is a huge loss to this team. There is a lot of unknown regarding the future of current and former Terrapins.

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