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Former Maryland defensive backs talk NFL Draft prep, favorite Terp memory

A pair of former Maryland defensive backs are up next at the NFL Combine as safety Beau Brade and Tarheeb Still join the defensive backs on day two in Indianapolis. The duo will look to become the fourth and fifth defensive backs drafted from Maryland over the last three years, while the Terps have a chance to produce multiple defensive backs selected in consecutive years for the first time ever. Nick Cross became a day-two selection when the Indianapolis Colts called his name with the 96th overall pick during the 2022 Draft. Deonte Banks followed it up after becoming a first-round pick the following year after the New York Giants took him 24th overall, five years after Darnell Savage became a first-round pick in 2019. Beau Brade has a chance to elevate his stock as a day-two selection as NFL.com projects the star safety to land in Tampa Bay with the 89th overall pick. Brade knows he has a chance to become the latest Terrapin to make his mark in the NFL after learning from his teammates-turned-pros in College Park. https://twitter.com/Insideblackgold/status/1763285923020579265 “I say DBs, we pushed each other day in and day out. I got there when Nick was, he was a sophomore so I was part of a DB room with him, Banks, ,” Brade said during Thursday’s interviews. “I came in with JB because he just came in from juco. Dante Trader , Glen Miller, you’ll see guys for the next couple of years. I think we've created a mindset in that room. And of course, we have Tarheeb Still and Ja’Quan Sheppard coming out. Shep was here with us for a year but we all got the same mindset and that’s just whoever lines up against us is going to get the work. We feel like we’re dogs and no one can beat us. I feel like our mentality is really what created us to be what we’re going to be in the future.” A big part of why Brade is comfortable with his draft prep is tied to his four-year career at Maryland. After signing with the program as a three-star prospect out of River Hill, Brade spent one season under Jon Hoke before Brian Stewart took over the position in 2021. Wes Neighbors then joined the program as Brade’s new position coach in 2022 before taking the same job at Ole Miss following the season. Already an established starter heading into year four, Brade embraced a leadership role in the safety room as a seasoned starter alongside Dante Trader Jr. as Zac Spavital, now entering his second season with the program, coached up an efficient unit. Playing under four position coaches tested Brade throughout his college career, but it’s also why he’s now comfortable in front of pro scouts. “Everything that scouts said, I've played it before, just different terminology,” he added. “Schemes haven't changed too much but wording definitely has. And I know this past season, coaches trying to make it simpler. It definitely got more confusing with terminology things, but it does help me with my ability with talking with scouts about their playbook or really learning the Senior Bowl playbook, whether it was special teams or defense.” Tarheeb Still ended his career in College Park as a four-year starter and two-time All-Big Ten selection, but as he looks ahead to his eventual pro career, there were two names he chose to line up against in the NFL: “Rakim Jarrett or Stefon Diggs.” Still, who informally met with the Dallas Cowboys, also recalled his favorite memory as a Terp when Maryland pulled out a 35-19 win during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. “I would say beating Penn State my freshman year. The guys made a big thing going up there, State College. We had a time in the locker room after the game.” Related Links

 
 
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