Four Terps Selected in 2019 NFL Draft

Four former members of the Maryland football program were selected in the 2019 NFL draft.

Defensive back Darnell Savage Jr. was taken in the first round and 21st overall by the Green Bay Packers, defensive lineman Byron Cowart in the fifth round (159th) by the New England Patriots, running back Ty Johnson in the sixth round (186th) by the Detroit Lions and offensive lineman Derwin Gray (219th) in the seventh round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

UMD has had a player chosen in 23 of the past 25 NFL drafts and has had multiple players drafted in four of the past five years. The four Terps selected in 2019 are the most since five were drafted in 2009.

Savage is the 17th player in program history to be drafted in the first round. He was a 2018 second team All-Big Ten selection, and he tied for second in the conference and ranked 13th nationally with four interceptions during his senior season. He ranked second on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss and fourth in total tackles with 51 in 2018. He ended his Maryland career with 30 consecutive starts.

With the Carolina Panthers selecting D.J. Moore in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, Maryland now boasts first-round selections in consecutive years for the first time since Shawne Merriman in 2005 and Vernon Davis in 2006.

Cowart, an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, led the Terps with three sacks and was tied for third on the squad with five tackles for loss in 2018. He started all 12 games and recorded interceptions against Rutgers and Michigan State. He posted a career-high seven tackles at Iowa.

Johnson finished his Terp career fourth all-time in rushing yards (2,635) and third in all-purpose yards (4,196).

Gray, a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, started 25 games during his career, including 22 starts during the past two seasons.