At least two Terps will head to the 2025 NFL Combine in February after Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton and safety Dante Trader Jr. announced they’re both headed to Indianapolis on Monday afternoon.
Felton and Trader become the 12th and 13th players from Maryland to head to the NFL Combine over the last three years.
Felton led the Big Ten in both receptions (96) and receiving yards (1,124) this season along with the most receptions among Power Conference players. His 96 catches as a senior is a new Maryland single-season record as he ended his Maryland career with ample accolades.
Felton became Maryland’s first AP All-American since kicker Brad Craddock in 2014. He was also named First Team All-Big Ten and a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist. He ranks third all-time at Maryland in career receptions (172), fourth in receiving yards (2,207) and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (17).
Felton is now on track to become the first wide receiver drafted during the Mike Locksley era, while Kaden Prather is a strong candidate to become the second selection in April.
“It all starts with the belief they put in me. They trusted in me last four years I've been here. They see my growth, and also I want to thank the team just how hard they pushed me. And those guys, a lot of guys inspired me to be great every day, like Dante Trader, a lot of the guys, Roman Hemby, a lot of guys I came in with," Felton said during the 2024 season. "Just how hard the team pushes me to work every day in practice, how hard I work in practice, and very thankful for the coaches to put the belief in me they've been showing in my last four years.”
Trader, a former three-star out of McDonogh, led the Terps in solo tackles (37) and finished second on the team in total tackles (59), despite missing two games due to injury. His four pass breakups were also good for a team-high and he added one interception. The Witten Award Semifinalist was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 16 for his 11 tackle, one-interception performance in a 27-13 Maryland win at Virginia. Trader recorded nine or more tackles in three of his 10 games played.
Trader is on track to become the sixth defensive back and second safety drafted under the Mike Locksley era.
Both Felton and Trader are set to take part in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on February 1 before participating in the 2025 NFL Combine starting on February 24 in Indianapolis.
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