Maryland NFL Draft Preview

4/26/2023

The NFL Draft begins tomorrow, Thursday, April 27 and continues through Saturday, April 29. As many as eight Terps can be drafted over many people's three favorite days of the year, with CB Deonte Banks almost unanimously predicted to be a First Round draft pick. Let's take a look at who's dream can come true over the next 72 hours!

Spencer Anderson

Offensive Line | 6-5 | 320

BIG-time addition to the O-Line!??@TerpsFootball OL Spencer Anderson (@spents_) has accepted his invite to the 2023 East-West #ShrineBowl!

#TBIA | #ShrineBowlRoadToVegas pic.twitter.com/BgJLgJQWAZ
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) December 12, 2022

Spencer Anderson is a durable and versatile offensive lineman that ended his career by starting 31 consecutive games at multiple positions along the offensive line for the Terrapins. A 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl participant, Anderson posted the third-highest pass blocking grade of any Big Ten guard with over 800 snaps, via Pro Football Focus, in 2022 with a score of 78.4.

Deonte Banks

Defensive Back | 6-2 | 205

Throughout his entire career at Maryland, Deonte Banks only allowed 50+ yards in a game ONCE?? pic.twitter.com/zc1J4IdOAj
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 24, 2023

Deonte Banks is unanimously projected to be a first round pick and hear his name called on Thursday night as the latest Maryland Terrapin to be selected in the First Round. He is projected to go as high as No. 10 overall (by CBS Sports) so make sure you are by your TVs on Thursday night!

A Baltimore native, Banks registered nine pass break-ups and an interception, while not allowing a reception of over 30 yards when targeted during his junior season at Maryland. According to Pro Football Focus, Banks allowed only a 43.3-percent completion percentage when targeted in 2022 by opposing offenses (26-for-60), the 18th-best mark in the nation and second-best in the Big Ten. Banks, an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection, has been mocked to go in the first round of the NFL Draft by multiple media outlets.

Jakorian Bennett

Defensive Back | 5-11 | 195

Jakorian Bennett from @TerpsFootball with the pick!

??: @seniorbowl on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/7amS1mJ8Au
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 4, 2023

Jakorian Bennett is projected to go anywhere from the third to fifth rounds in most mock drafts.

Bennett capped off a strong Maryland career by being named the 2022 Duke’s Mayo Bowl Most Valuable Player after his interception late in the fourth quarter sealed the Terps win over N.C. State. Bennett had a stellar senior season for the Terps, ranking tied for third in the Big Ten in pass break-ups (11) and tied for fifth in passes defensed (13). A Reese's Senior Bowl participant, Bennett led all FBS players in passes defended since the beginning of the 2021 season with 29.

Jacob Copeland

Wide Receiver | 6-0 | 202

Jacob Copeland is WR sleeper not getting enough attention. He should test well at the combine. Good hands. And had success throughout the route tree. pic.twitter.com/y6Hdpy8gFJ
— Ryan McCrystal (@Ryan_McCrystal) February 26, 2023

Jacob Copeland has some fifth-seventh round projections. He spent just one year with the Terps after transferring from the University of Florida, but he made an immediate impact. Copeland led the team by averaging 14.5 yards per reception. He had 26 receptions on the year for 376 yards and hauled in a pair of touchdowns. Copeland was named to the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000.

Dontay Demus Jr.

Wide Receiver | 6-4 | 215

Dontay Demus Jr. owns 50/50 balls. ??@_godof5 x @TerpsFootball pic.twitter.com/ARr5MzJtVI
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 19, 2022

Dontay Demus Jr. is projected anywhere from the fifth to seventh round according to most mock drafts. A Washington, D.C. native, Dontay Demus Jr. concluded his Maryland career ranking second in program history in career 100-yard receiving games (7), fifth in career touchdowns (14), seventh in career yards (2,008) and ninth in career receptions (128). Demus was a three-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection and was on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List in 2021. Demus, one of the unquestionable leaders of the team, inspired all by the way he battled back from a season-ending injury in 2021 to return in 2022 and play in all 12 regular season games.

Jaelyn Duncan

Offensive Lineman | 6-6 | 320

Patience and premier foot quickness from Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan. He’s able to run Keion White around the track with little effort. pic.twitter.com/U53XwVs1R6
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) February 1, 2023

Jaelyn Duncan is projected as Maryland's second highest draft pick, with most mock drafts having him go between the Second and Fourth rounds. So, lock into your TV on Friday night!

Duncan, a three-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection, made 39 career starts in a Terrapin uniform. He blocked for a Maryland passing offense that ranked third in the Big Ten in 2022 by averaging 259.8 yards per game in the air. Duncan attended the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl on Feb 4 and impressed NFL scouts.

Rakim Jarrett

Wide Receiver | 6-0 | 190

Another @TerpsFootball TD ??@tauliaa12 ?? @RakimJarrett ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/Vb5EjjQStD
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 1, 2022

Rakim Jarrett is projected to go anywhere from the Fourth to Seventh Rounds in most Mock Drafts.

A Palmer Park native, Rakim Jarrett ranked second on the team with 40 receptions and third in receiving yards with 471 during his junior season in 2022. His 42.8 yards receiving per game tied for the team lead and his three touchdown receptions tied for the second best mark on the squad. The wide receiver ended his Maryland career catching a pass in 25 consecutive games. He was named to the 2022 Biletnikoff Award Watch List and was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten three times.

Chad Ryland

Kicker | 6-0 | 183

Back him up. ? 66 Yards

NFL Draft prospect Chad Ryland (@TerpsFootball) backs up to 66 yards in prep for the 2023 #NFLCombine.#KohlsElite // #KohlsTraining pic.twitter.com/5FQJYyc4zL
— Kohl's Kicking Camps (@KohlsKicking) February 22, 2023

Chad Ryland is projected to be the first kicker off the board by mostly all Mock Drafts, anywhere from the fourth to sixth rounds.

Ryland excelled during his only season with the Terrapins in 2022, ending the year making 19 of his 23 field goal attempts (82.6%). He connected on 16 of his 17 field goal attempts inside 50 yards, while also ranking first in the Big Ten and third nationally with three field goal makes of 50 or more yards. Ryland was named Second Team All-Big Ten in 2022 and participated in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl, making four field goals during the showcase game.

The best kicker in the NFL Draft on HTT!

Chad Ryland joins the show to talk about his draft journey and much more
— Hear The Turtle (@HearTheTurtle) April 26, 2023