Jan. 5, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland junior defensive end Shawne Merriman, one of the ACC leaders in sacks and tackles for loss over the past two seasons, will bypass his senior season of eligibility to enter the 2005 NFL draft.

"My experience at the University of Maryland was great," said Merriman. "I got a lot of support from Coach Friedgen, the coaching staff and the fans, and I will miss suiting up at Byrd Stadium on Saturdays. And I have a message to in-state recruits -- take pride in your state, stay home and help Maryland win some more bowl games. Maryland was very good to me and it will only get better with the talent this area has."

Merriman, a first team All-ACC selection in 2004, led the Terps in sacks and TFLs and leaves the school ranked second on the all-time sacks list with 23. He is the second defensive lineman in the last two years to leave the Terps early as Randy Starks left prior to the 2004 season and was a third-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans. Starks, the youngest player in the NFL in '04, finished his rookie season with 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks

"Shawne played very well for us in 2004," said head coach Ralph Friedgen. "We wish him the best and hopefully he will make us proud with his play on the next level."

Merriman did participate in the evaluation service offered to underclass players by the NFL, in which personnel directors and scouts review him and make an assessment of his potential draft status. The committee's recommendation was that Merriman figures to be a first- or second-round selection.