April 24, 2004
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland football team completed its spring practice session with today's Red/White Game and afterward saw two of its own selected to play at the next level. Safety Madieu Williams and defensive tackle Randy Starks were each selected on the 69th annual National Football League Draft's first day.
For a pair of last year's top Terps, today was a day that saw the news improve for one and get worse for the other.
Williams, who was said to "likely slip to the early part of day 2" by Scouts, Inc., was the Terrapins' highest selection of the day as he was taken by Cincinnati with the 24th pick of the second round, the draft's 56th overall selection.
An early-entry junior, Starks was predicted to be as high as a mid-first round pick at one time by draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr., but steadily slipped as the draft approached and was ultimately selected by the Tennessee Titans with the eight pick of the third round, the 71st overall.
Starks was a first team All-ACC selection and on pace to be one of the all-time Maryland sack leaders had he remained in school for his senior year. Williams was a second team all-conference pick in 2003 and one of four Terp defensive backs to earn some mention from the conference. Notably, he walked-on at Maryland in 2001 after beginning his career as a cornerback at nearby Towson State.
