Dec. 16, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Terrapins have sent a number of players to the professional ranks over the years. There are currently 31 former players, including seven from last year's squad, on NFL rosters. That total ranks tied for second with Florida State among Atlantic Coast Conference teams (Miami - 41).

Here is a quick snapshot of each player:

Lance Ball, Denver Broncos
Ball spent last season with the Indianapolis Colts, appearing in one game. He was released by the Colts in September. He was picked up by the Tennessee Titans before being released. Ball was signed to the Broncos practice squad last month.

Kevin Barnes, Washington Redskins
After missing much of his senior season at Maryland with an injured shoulder, Barnes worked all the way back to earn an invite to the Senior Bowl and was drafted by the Redskins with the 80th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He was inactive for much of the season, but has played in the last three games.

Eric Barton, Cleveland Browns
Though he was forced to end his season due to a bulging disc injury, Barton, a starting linebacker, made 58 total tackles for the Browns in just eight games.

Jon Condo, Oakland Raiders
A special teams standout, Condo has been the starting long-snapper for the Oakland Raiders for three straight seasons, playing in over 40 consecutive games.

Andrew Crummey, Houston Texans
Crummey ended his Terrapin career in 2007. He spent the 2008 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, seeing action in six games. He was released by the Bengals this summer and is currently on the Houston Texans practice squad.

Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Now in his fourth season, Davis has been among the top offensive producers in the league. He ranks first in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (11) and ranks third in receiving yards among tight ends (815). He also has a career-high 66 catches with three games to play.

Jeff Dugan, Minnesota Vikings
Playing tight end for the Vikings, Dugan scored his first touchdown of the season against the Green Bay Packers (11/8), when he caught a 2-yard pass from quarterback Brett Favre. He is in his sixth season with the Vikings.

Moise Fokou, Philadelphia Eagles
Signing with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent this past summer, Fokou has emerged as a solid contributor. He has played in all 13 games, including two starts at linebacker. Fokou has totaled 26 tackles on the season.

Domonique Foxworth, Baltimore Ravens
After signing as a free agent in the off-season, Foxworth is in his first year with the Ravens. He has started all 13 games at cornerback, racking up 42 tackles, 10 passes defended and one interception.

Melvin Fowler, Detroit Lions
Fowler is in his eighth season in the NFL. He spent the previous three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, who released him in the off-season. He was signed by the Detroit Lions last month.

Jared Gaither, Baltimore Ravens
Gaither in his first three season with the Ravens, and second as the starting left tackle. He is a key contributor in a Baltimore offense that ranks sixth in the league in rushing.

Dan Gronkowski, Detroit Lions
Gronkowski impressed scouts at the NFL Combine and ended up being selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He spent most of the season on the practice squad but has been active the last two weeks. He posted his first career reception in last week's game in Baltimore.

Joey Haynos, Miami Dolphins
A tight end for Miami, Haynos has seen his playing time increase this season. He made a touchdown reception in back-to-back weeks (vs. the Jets on Nov. 1 and vs. the Patriots on Nov. 8) and also compiling a total of 87 receiving yards on seven catches over a three-game span. He has played in all 13 games with 12 receptions for 119 yards.

E.J. Henderson, Minnesota Vikings
The starting inside linebacker, Henderson was having his best season as a pro until he broke his leg two weeks ago. He totaled 83 tackles, including two sacks, on the season.

Erin Henderson, Minnesota Vikings
Serving as the back-up outside linebacker for the Vikings, Henderson played in his first game of the season against the Packers (11/8), making two solo tackles. He was also active for last week's Cincinnati game, posting two stops.

Stephon Heyer, Washington Redskins
A undrafted free agent, Heyer has battled all the way through the Redskins' depth charts to become the team's starting left tackle. He has started all 13 games this season for Washington.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland Raiders
The Raiders' first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Heyward-Bey came on midway through the season. He is averaging 13.8 yards per reception as a rookie.

Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers
Hill is in his eighth season, including fourth with the 49ers. He started the first six games of the season before giving way to former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith. Hill completed 56.1 percent of his passes for 943 yards with five touchdowns and just two interceptions.

D'Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns
Jackson compiled 59 total tackles in just six games as the Browns' starting inside linebacker before he was forced to end his season with a shoulder injury.

Kris Jenkins, New York Jets
Jenkins, in his first season as a DT with the Jets, made 13 total tackles and helped the Jets' top defense in the AFC before being put on the IR due to an injured knee.

LaMont Jordan, Denver Broncos
Serving as a back-up running back for the Broncos, Jordan has 59 yards on 20 carries in eight games.

Keon Lattimore, San Francisco 49ers
Lattimore is in his second season in the NFL and first with San Francisco. He is currently on the practice squad. He was on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad for most of the 2008 season. He spent the last month of 2008 on the Jacksonville practice squad.

Shawne Merriman, San Diego
The team's starting outside linebacker, Merriman has 33 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks on the season.

Dre Moore, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After being drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Moore saw his first regular season action of his career against the Dallas Cowboys in week one. He has played in four games this season. He had three tackles in last week's Jets' game.

Jeremy Navarre, Jacksonville Jaguars
Signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2009 NFL Draft, Navarre has spent time on the team's practice squad, though he has been active the last three weeks.

Adam Podlesh, Jacksonville Jaguars
The starting punter for the Jaguars, Podlesh holds an average of 42.3 yards per attempt, with a season long of 64 yards. Nearly one-third (20 of 61) of his punts have gone inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

Randy Starks, Miami Dolphins
A starting defensive lineman, Starks has already eclipsed his career high in sacks this season (6.0) and also has 46 total tackles on the year.

Jaimie Thomas, Indianapolis Colts
Thomas was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Colts. He has spent the season on the practice squad.

Edwin Williams, Washington Redskins
Williams signed with the Redskins as an undrafted free agent last spring and after moving through the practice squad, serves as the team's back-up guard. He has played in two games this year, earning his first career start vs. Philadelphia (Nov. 29).

Madieu Williams, Minnesota Vikings
The former walk-on at Maryland, Williams signed as a free agent with the Vikings last season. He has started all 13 games at safety, totaling 55 tackles and three passes defended.

Josh Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
A starting cornerback for the Seahawks, Wilson has been a play-maker this season. The third-year player has two interceptions, both going for touchdowns. He made the play of the game against the Detroit Lions (Nov. 8), when he ran back an interception for 61 yards and a game-securing touchdown. He repeated the feat in the Seahawks' 27-17 win over St. Louis (Nov. 29). He is one of five players in the league with two or more interceptions returned for touchdowns this season.

Sources: NFL.com, ESPN.com, various team web sites