One Maryland star made a move this week with his name, image and likeness growing heading into his fourth season with the program.
Star safety Dante Trader Jr. announced on Tuesday that he is partnering with Equity Sports for NIL representation, the same firm that also represents star Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton and fifth-year linebacker Ruben Hyppolite. Equity Sports also represents several DMV natives suiting up elsewhere, including Dylan Stewart (South Carolina), Greg Penn III (LSU) and Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Kentucky).
The news comes one day after Trader posted a paid advertisement with McDonald's.
"The Sausage McMuffin = the best way to start the day #AD
Had to stop by my local @mcdonaldsdmv to start my day with my favorite breakfast. What should I get next time, a Sausage Egg & Cheese McGriddles or a Sausage Biscuit with Egg!?," he wrote on Instagram.
After signing with Maryland as a two-sport athlete in the 2021 class, Trader became an integral piece in the safety rotation through his first season after appearing in all but one game before starting all 13 games through 2022. After concentrating on football through his first season, Trader followed through on his aspirations of becoming a two-sport athlete in College Park where he appeared in all 16 games in 2023 for Maryland men's lacrosse and head coach John Tillman. Trader finished third on the team in caused turnovers (14) while becoming a key part of the SSDM rotation.
After transitioning back to football in the fall, Trader started all 12 games he was available in 2023 and finished third on the team with 58 tackles, along with adding a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups. Trader recorded a career-high 11 tackles in the season-ending win vs. Rutgers, while his three pass breakups in the road win vs. Michigan State marked a career-high for the former McDonogh star. Both of his interceptions came in Maryland's first-ever win at Nebraska to help the Terps secure bowl eligibility for the third consecutive season.
The former two-sport standout is set to return to stabilize the safety room in 2024 alongside veteran Glen Miller with Alex Moore, Lavain Scruggs and former blue-chip prospect Brandon Jacob rounding out the new room.
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