Pair of former Terps break down draft prep ahead of NFL Combine

A pair of Terps will have an opportunity to showcase themselves during next week’s NFL combine when tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo and safety Nick Cross take the field. Maryland will look to have at least one former player drafted for the fifth consecutive season, but one has already flashed during draft preparation.

After declaring for the NFL Draft back on December 7, Okonkwo officially began the next phase of his playing career and made a name for himself during Shrine Bowl practices after being named a standout by The Draft Network and Sports Illustrated. It was then when Okonkwo showcased himself as a receiving threat and mismatch against opposing linebackers despite his 6-foot-2 listing. “I really wanted to show the scouts what I’m capable of,” Okonkwo told The Draft Network. “I think I showcased some things the scouts maybe didn’t see on tape this past year while addressing any questions they had about my game. I was getting down the field vertically and winning one-vs-one routes. I didn’t always get a chance to showcase those things throughout the season. I did get to show it through the East-West game, though. I think I surprised some people out there. I didn’t surprise myself, because I knew exactly what I could do. I got to answer a lot of questions.”

After missing the 2020 season with myocarditis, Okonkwo finished second on the team with 52 catches for a team-best five touchdowns after starting all 13 games. Despite playing under three different offensive coordinators and committing to a fourth out of high school, Okonkwo ended his Maryland career with the most receiving yards by a tight end since Vernon Davis back in 2005 and the second-most receptions by a tight end since Frank Wycheck in 1990.

“I considered it a very productive season at the end of the day. I started off kind of slow but I was playing a more prominent role toward the end of the season. I feel like I had a lot more to give but I’m also very pleased with the production I finished with.” Maryland head coach Mike Locksley praised Okonkwo’s development as a blocking tight end through the 2021 season, but that was an aspect that Okonkwo took pride in. “It’s all about being a complete player for me,” Okonkwo added. “I never want to be a part-time player that can only see the field on certain downs. In my opinion, that’s terrible for a team and their offense. It tips your hand offensively. It gives keys away to the defense. I don’t want to be that guy that can only see the field on certain passing or running downs. I’ve always wanted to do it all.”

Okonkwo isn’t the only Terp invited to the NFL Combine as safety Nick Cross joins his former college teammate in Indianapolis. Cross, a former four-star prospect, signed with Maryland over Florida State and Penn State to close the 2019 cycle as the fast-rising prospect battled through a whirlwind finale in his recruitment. But before Cross drew national attention after posting his blazing track times, his training with his high school coaches set the stage for an elite career.

“I had some great coaches when I was at DeMatha [Catholic High School], coach Elijah Brooks, who’s at Maryland right now. He’s the first person I met when I was out there,” Cross told Draftwire. “Deno Campbell, my defensive coordinator, [coach] Josh Wilson was my defensive back [coach]. They definitely took the time to want to do the game, explain different things. I was really clueless when I was out [there], I didn’t know what I was doing or how to think. They took the time to walk me through and teach me different techniques, teach me different coverages and all that stuff.”

Cross appeared in all 12 games as a true freshman and started the final five games before transitioning into a full-time starter in 2020. Cross finished second on the team in tackles as a junior and ended his Maryland career a three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.

“I dedicated the offseason, me and one of my coaches [cornerbacks coach Henry] Baker, we sat down offseason and he’s kinda like, “We think you can take that next step, understand the game more.” So we sat down, we watched film, we watched different coverages, how different presentations of defense affected offensive play-callers, and basically tried to understand the chess match within the game.

It took a lot of time, [but] he was really patient. We learned different concepts, different schemes and everything like that. Once I started to get it, the rest went pretty smoothly. I continue to hone in on my craft, working on little things: my footwork, my hips, everything. I just continue to watch film and get stronger, faster, more explosive, and just being a better leader, good teammate for my teammates, and a great communicator on the field.

After admitting he grew up idolizing safeties like Ed Reed, Sean Taylor and Brian Dawkins, Cross gave his answer for what an NFL team would get if drafted.

“You’d be getting a well-rounded person and someone who loves the game. I love to study the game, [I’m a] film junkie: love watching film, love getting better. Someone who wants to be coached and wants come in and make immediate impact in any way possible: special teams, defense, wherever I can. Someone’s gonna work hard, do everything you’re asking to do, do it the right way and get 110 percent of every time. I feel like I’m really versatile in what I can do. I have an have athletic frame and I can do a lot of things. Wherever I can help a team the most, I’ll do what I do to the best of my ability.”