Maryland saw a program-record seven players draw invites to the 2023 NFL combine with defensive backs Jakorian Bennett and Deonte Banks, wide receivers Jacob Copeland, Dontay Demus Jr. and Rakim Jarrett, left tackle Jaelyn Duncan and kicker Chad Ryland drawing invites. This marks the most Terps invited to the NFL Combine since at least 1987. Maryland’s previous high was six invitees in 2009.
In the first rounds of mock drafts following the end of the college football season, two players are emerging as the favorites to be the first Terps off the board. Bucky Brooks and Mel Kiper project Deonte Banks selected in the first round to the Cowboys at 26 and Jaguars at 24, respectively. If selected by the Cowboys, Banks would line up across from fellow Maryland native and All-Pro Trevon Diggs. Walter Football has Duncan going to the Pittsburgh Steelers at 17, which would make him the latest Terp selected by head coach Mike Tomlin joining the likes of Sean Davis, Anthony McFarland, and Derwin Gray. The rest of the first-round projections for him include going to the Bengals by Yahoo—30th to the Chiefs by CBS, and 23rd to the Chargers by Sports Illustrated.
Outside of the first round, Draft Network has both Banks and Duncan going in the second round, with Banks going to the Steelers at 32 and Duncan going to the Jets at 43rd. Draft Countdown and USA Today also have Duncan going in the second round. Draft Countdown has the Rams selecting him at 36, while the Bucs take him 50th overall in the USA Today’s mock draft.
Only two other Terps were selected in the first three rounds. Jakorian Bennett was projected to come off the board in the third round to the Cardinals at 65. Bennett might have been Maryland’s best corner the last three years, however, his size could keep him from going higher. Dontay Demus was taken 88th overall by the Giants in Walter Football’s mock draft. Demus might have been a first-round pick last year if it wasn’t for a serious knee injury that every team will be asking about.
In the later rounds of the draft, Draft Countdown has Rakim Jarrett at 115th overall to the Packers, Demus also going to the Packers at 234th overall, and Chad Ryland to the Chiefs at 249th overall. Jarrett is a former five-star recruit that could rise on draft broads with a solid combine and pro day. Ryland, meanwhile, is considered the top kicker in the draft by Mel Kiper.
All seven will get a chance to shine at the Combine to boost their stock. Defensive backs and kickers will work out on March 3, wide receivers will work out on March 4 and offensive linemen will work out on March 5. Now, Maryland now has a chance to surpass a program-record five draft picks, completed in both 2004 and 2009.
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