According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, the Maryland Terrapins have had 244 players selected in the NFL Draft dating back to 1937. The school has had at least one player selected each year since 2018, and there’s a very good chance that streak continues this year as five Terps have been invited to the NFL Combine taking place this week in Indianapolis.
While we wait to see just where Maryland lands for next month’s NCAA Tournament, BetMaryland.com wanted to identify the top former Terps invited to previous combines, as part of our MD sports betting insight. We looked at the NFL’s invite list for each year since 2020, then used the Pro Football Reference website to get their draft information.
Player | Year (Round) | NFL Team |
| Deonte Banks | 2023 (First) | New York Giants |
| Delmar Glaze | 2024 (Third) | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Nick Cross | 2022 (Third) | Indianapolis Colts |
| Jakorian Bennett | 2023 (Fourth) | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Chad Ryland | 2023 (Fourth) | New England Patriots |
The Giants selected Deonte Banks with the 24th pick in the 2023 draft, and the cornerback has been a starter the past two seasons. He was part of a unit that allowed just 3,580 passing yards, eighth best in the NFL, with just 1,748 of those yards coming after receivers caught the ball. That was fourth best.
Aside from his 12 passes defended, which ranked 18th in the league, Banks’ stats declined some in his sophomore season. Teams completed 44 of 73 passes thrown his way for 628 yards and six touchdowns. After giving up a QB Rating of 72.7 his rookie season, he allowed a 115.6 rating last season.
The Giants have the third pick in this year’s NFL Draft in April, but no team is a longer shot to win the Super Bowl, according to BetMGM Maryland Sportsbook. New York’s odds are currently +30000.
Among other top draftees, Delmar Glaze earned a starting job at offensive tackle for the Raiders as a rookie this past season. No team ran for fewer yards in 2024, but Glaze is considered a building block as new coach Pete Carroll looks to overhaul an offense that averaged just 18.2 points per game.
Nick Cross emerged as starting safety for the Colts in 2024 and rewarded them with his best season. His three interceptions tied for the team lead, and his 146 total tackles were second best. The upcoming season is his last under his rookie contract, and Cross will become an unrestricted free agent a year from now, when he’s just 24.
The Colts surprised many in 2024 as they competed for a playoff berth until being eliminated in Week 17. With the 2025 season still six months away, Fanatics MD Sportsbook gives Indy +425 odds to win the AFC south next season.
Jakorian Bennett’s second season in the pros ended prematurely as the Raiders placed him on injured reserve in late November. Before that, the corner played in 10 games and started seven. He registered eight passes defended in 2024 and allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 52.3% (23 of 44) of the passes thrown to receivers he covered.
After being released by the Patriots after his rookie season, Chad Ryland signed with the Arizona Cardinals in October and kicked in the team’s last 13 games. He showed great improvement as he made 28 of his 32 field goal attempts for Arizona (compared to 16-for-25 as a rookie).
He also made all four of his tries from 50 or more yards, including a 58-yarder with no time left on the clock to force overtime against the Carolina Panthers.
Maryland stars heading to Indy this year are wide receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather; defensive linemen Tommy Akingbesote and Jordan Phillips; and defensive back Dante Trader Jr.
Of the five, Phillips appears to have the highest ceiling. At 6 feet 3, 320 pounds, he’s projected to become a starting nose tackle. Draft experts have given him a third-round grade.
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USA Today Network photo by Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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