NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three former members of the Maryland football program were selected on the final day of the 2019 NFL Draft on Saturday. 

Two days after defensive back Darnell Savage, Jr. was selected in the first round (21st overall) by the Green Bay Packers, defensive lineman Byron Cowart was chosen in the fifth round (159th overall) by the New England Patriots, running back Ty Johnson was drafted in the sixth round (186th overall) by the Detroit Lions and offensive lineman Derwin Gray (219th overall) was selected in the seventh round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maryland has had multiple players drafted in four of the last five years and the four Terps selected in 2019 is the most since five were drafted in 2009.

Cowart, an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection, led the Terps with 3.0 sacks and was tied for third on the squad with 5.0 tackles for loss in 2018. He started all 12 games and recorded interceptions against Rutgers and Michigan State. Cowart posted a career-high seven tackles at Iowa.

Johnson finished his Terrapin career as one of the most decorated running backs in school history, finishing fourth all-time in rushing yards (2,635) and third in all-purpose yards (4,196).

Gray, a two-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection, anchored a Maryland offensive line that helped the Terps rush for 230.2 yards per game in 2018, a mark that ranked third in the Big Ten and tied for 18th nationally. The Terps rushed for over 300 yards in a game five times and over 400 yards twice last season. Gray, a Washington, D.C. native, started 25 games during his career, including 22 starts during the last two season. 

Maryland opens its 2019 season on Saturday, August 31 at home against Howard. For more information on the season, follow @TerpsFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and for details on purchasing tickets, click here.

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