Which Terps could be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft?

The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books as two Maryland players were selected with DJ Glaze becoming a day two selection and CB Tarheeb Still coming off the board on day three. Who are the Terps most likely to hear their names called in 2025? We take a look at the best draft prospects.

SAF Dante Trader Jr.

Trader is arguably the top prospect for the Terps going into the 2024 season. Over the last two years, Trader has played the role of Robin to fellow safety Beau Brade’s Batman. With Brade and cornerback Tarheeb Still now in the NFL, he becomes the veteran in the secondary and one of the leaders of the defense. Playing the free safety role, Trader has done well in both coverage and run support, finishing second on the team in tackles in 2022 and third this past year. He’s also picked off four passes and knocked down 11 others, between the two years. And after suiting up for lacrosse in 2023, Trader made the full-time shift to football where he looks to become the second safety drafted under Mike Locksley.

While Trader’s ability and upside will intrigue NFL teams, he must continue to show improvement as a centerfielder if he wants to hear his name called early in 2025. Limiting the big plays downfield and taking the ball away more often will go a long way in making that happen.

RB Roman Hemby

There’s a debate on whether Hemby or another player is the top Terp offensive prospect for next year’s draft. In 2022, Hemby led the team in rushing just missing the 1000-yard mark and scoring 11 total touchdowns. He was the leading rusher again in 2023, rushing for 680 yards and 7 total touchdowns. He’s also been effective in the passing game, finishing fourth and fifth in receiving in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Another positive for Hemby is a rare combination of size and speed that is not often seen in running backs. Two things that teams will keep a close eye on this season will be his pass protection and vision. In today’s NFL running backs are often called upon to help out in pass blocking, which makes it important for anyone looking to be picked early. Hemby will also need to show that he can be patient, wait for a hole to open, and make the right decision when it does. If Hemby can be a complete back, a day two selection will not be out of the question. Maryland fans may not have to wait long to see the next potential NFL back in College Park with Nolan Ray carving out a role in the rotation heading into the 2024 season.

WR Kaden Prather

Prather is the other player who could be considered the Terps’ top offensive prospect. A player with his size and playmaking skills will have the eyes of NFL teams. Walterfootball.com has named him as the third-best receiver in the 2025 class, being selected in the second round, 38^th overall, in their very early mock draft. “Some team sources say Prather is similar to Adonai Mitchell from Texas, but that Prather is a little faster and plays stronger,” Walter Football wrote.

He transferred to Maryland last year after spending two years at West Virginia. In his two years with the Mountaineers, Prather caught 64 passes for 676 yards and three touchdowns. In 2023, he finished fourth on the team in receptions (42), third in yards (666), and second in touchdowns (5), finishing as an All-Big Ten honorable mention. With Jeshaun Jones out of eligibility, Prather and Tai Felton become the top dogs in the receiving core, which gives the former a chance to build on the success he had last year. During the season, he had several highlight-making plays but was also affected by drops. If he limits the drops and continues to make big plays this season, don’t be surprised if he’s one of the first receivers off the broad in 2025.

OLB Donnell Brown

Brown transferred to Maryland from St. Francis (PA) in 2023 and had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He finished the season with 29 tackles, a pass defended, three sacks, and two interceptions. Before Maryland, Brown was a two-time FCS All-American and the NEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. Going into 2024, he will have to continue to show the game-wrecker ability that was seen at times last year. If the consistency is there, NFL teams will have a hard time passing on him come draft weekend.

Honorable Mentions: WR Tai Felton, LB Ruben Hyppolite, SAF Glendon Miller, DL Taizse Johnson, DL Tommy Akingbesote

Related Links

Maryland baseball heads to Rutgers for weekend series
Report: Maryland basketball to face Syracuse in New York City in 2024-25
Maryland men’s shell shocked by Penn State, fall 19-9
Portal OL buzz (+)
Maryland FB portal status (+)