COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former University of Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was selected with the seventh overall choice in Saturday's NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Heyward-Bey was one of the most prolific wide receivers in school history. He ranks second in career receiving yards (2,089), third in receptions (138) and tied for third in TD catches (13) despite leaving with one year of eligibility remaining.

Heyward-Bey was an All-American in 2007 and a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.

Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen was informed of the selection during the team's annual Red-White Spring game.

"I'm so, so ecstatic about that," Friedgen said after the game. "I'm really happy for Darrius. I was really worried about that, but to go seventh (overall) is impressive."

Most of the mock drafts had Heyward-Bey scheduled to be taken in the first round, but anything can happen on draft day.

"When we called, they were picking him lower first round, maybe even early second," Friedgen said. "To move up in the draft and go seventh, I'm just excited for him and for his mom, Vivian, and his aunt and everyone else. It's a great day for them. I figured it is a great day for Maryland (too)."

Heyward-Bey is the third Terp to be taken in the first round over the last five years. Shawne Merriman was chosen 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft and Vernon Davis was taken sixth overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2006.

Heyward-Bey, who possesses blazing speed, was a playmaker for the Terps throughout his career.

This past season Heyward-Bey posted team-highs of 42 receptions for 609 yards (14.5 ypc) with five receiving touchdowns en route to honorable mention All-ACC honors. He also ranked third on the team in rushing with 202 yards on 15 carries (13.5 ypr).

A native of Silver Spring, Md., Heyward-Bey burst onto the scene in 2006 as redshirt freshman by recording 45 receptions for 694 yards, earning second-team All-ACC honors and first-team freshman All-America accolades from The Sporting News and Rivals.com.

The following year he posted career highs in catches (51) and receiving yards (786) on his way to honorable mention All-America honors from Pro Football Weekly.

A number of Heyward-Bey's former teammates are hoping to be selected in the draft including DB Kevin Barnes, LB Moise Fokou, TE Dan Gronkowski, DL Jeremy Navarre, OL Jaimie Thomas and OL Edwin Williams.

Rounds three through seven are scheduled for Sunday.

Terps NFL Draft Notes:

• The Terps currently have 25 players on NFL rosters, including Jon Condo who is the long-snapper for Oakland.

• Heyward-Bey is the second Terp wideout to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. Gary Collins was taken with the fourth overall choice in the 1962 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Jermaine Lewis was the last Maryland wide receiver to be chosen (fifth round of 1996 NFL Draft - Baltimore Ravens).

• Eighteen Terps have been selected in the NFL Draft since Ralph Friedgen became head coach in 2001.

• Heyward-Bey is the highest drafted Terrapin since Vernon Davis was selected sixth overall by San Francisco in the 2006 NFL Draft.

• Heyward-Bey is the 15th Terp to be drafted in the first round.

• Eric Barton was the last Terp to be drafted by the Oakland Raiders. Barton was taken in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft.

Terps in the NFL

source: NFL.com