NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Maryland defensive back Darnell Savage, Jr. was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Savage was the first defensive back drafted at No. 21 overall.
 
"To hear my name called on draft night is the realization of a lifelong dream," said Savage. "I'm ecstatic to be a Green Bay Packer. I want to thank my parents, family, coaches and brothers inside the Maryland locker room that helped me reach this point. We're going to enjoy this moment tonight and then I can't wait to get to Green Bay to start my NFL journey."
 
With Savage's selection, Maryland has now had a player chosen in 23 of the last 25 NFL Drafts. Savage is the 17th player in program history to be drafted in the first round.
 
With DJ Moore being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Maryland now boasts NFL first round selections in consecutive years for the first time since Shawne Merriman (2005) and Vernon Davis (2006).
 
Savage, a 2018 Second Team All-Big Ten selection, tied for second in the conference and ranked 13th nationally with four interceptions during his senior season. A Newark, Delaware native that earned his degree in Family Science, Savage ranked second on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss and fourth in total tackles (51) this past season. The durable leader of Maryland's defense, Savage ended his Terps career with 30 consecutive starts.
 
The NFL Draft continues on Friday with the second and third rounds. The draft concludes on Saturday with the final four rounds.