National Football League

Maryland Football: Terps Around The NFL

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Maryland football program has had a habit of getting players to the NFL in recent years.

Over the last two years, five Terrapins have been selected during the seven rounds of the NFL Draft. Stefon Diggs and Darius Kilgo were taken in the 2015 NFL Draft while Sean Davis, Quinton Jefferson, and Yannick Ngakoue were selected in the 2016 Draft.

During the Ralph Friedgen era, 29 Terps ended up being drafted.

Let’s take a closer look at how some Terps are doing at the NFL level through a few weeks of play.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) catches a touchdown pass past Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Stefon Diggs

Diggs is one of the most electrifying players to come through College Park in recent years. He’s been credited as the recruit that started the “Stay Home Movement.”

After wowing Maryland fans for three seasons, he’s putting the NFL on notice.

During his rookie season, Diggs caught 52 passes for 720 yards and four touchdowns. He was among the most productive rookie wideouts in the league.

Through the first four weeks of the 2016 season, not much has changed. Diggs already has 25 receptions for 372 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, and New York Giants. The former Good Counsel (Md.) standout torched the Packers for 182 yards and a touchdown on national television.

Diggs currently sits at the top of Minnesota’s depth chart. With Adrian Peterson on the shelf for the majority of the season, Sam Bradford could continue to look Diggs’ way even more.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) picks up a first down during the third quarter in a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Torrey Smith

Smith didn’t have to go far when he left Maryland for the NFL.

The former Terp was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and ended up winning a Super Bowl with the team. However, the lure of a big contract was too much as Smith signed a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. He was brought to the team to replace Michael Crabtree, who signed with the Oakland Raiders.

During his first season with the 49ers, Smith registered 33 catches for 663 and four touchdowns. While those numbers were career lows, he did record a career-best 20.1 yards-per-catch.

Through three games this season, Smith has caught nine passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. His best game came in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers when he recorded three receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. Shockingly enough, with Anquan Boldin gone, Smith still doesn’t lead the 49ers in all receiving categories. Jeremy Kerley has 18 catches for 202 yards and leads the team with 32 targets.

It’s obviously very early in the season. However, having a less-than-stellar quarterback like Blaine Gabbert under center doesn’t exactly bode well for Smith. With the type of offensive innovator that Chip Kelly, he going to need to find a way to get the former Terp move involved.

Oct 19, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nolan Carroll (23) returns an interception 17 yards for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Nolan Carroll

Carroll is one of the more underrated Maryland football players in recent years.

The cornerback was selected in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He spent the first four years of his career with the Dolphins before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He’s recorded 77 tackles, 18 pass breakups, and two interceptions during his time with the Eagles. Carroll even took an interception back on a touchdown against the New York Giants in 2015.

Through three games in 2016, Carroll has registered six tackles and four pass breakups in his three starts. He’s gotten burnt a few times, including in the season opener by converted wideout Terrelle Pryor of the Cleveland Browns.

Carroll chose to re-sign with the team after his contract expired following the 2015 season. He’s been extremely solid since coming to Philadelphia. It also doesn’t hurt that the Eagles have one of the best safety tandems around in Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod.

Carroll’s 2015 campaign was cut short due to injury, so it’ll be interesting what he can do during a full season as one of the team’s starting corners.

Nov 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (52) returns a pass interception for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Colts defeated the Falcons 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

D’Qwell Jackson

It’s been quite some time since Jackson called College Park home.

However, he’s still doing the Maryland football program proud.

Jackson was selected with the No. 34 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2006 NFL Draft. The 2005 ACC Defensive Player of the Year had seven phenomenal seasons with the Browns.

He’s found a home with the Indianapolis Colts and is off to a solid start in 2016. In three games, Jackson has accumulated 21 tackles, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery, and a safety.

Jackson has registered at least 82 tackles in each of his first two seasons with the Colts. He’s always had a nose for the football and that hasn’t changed in his 10th NFL season.

Indianapolis has the potential to be one of the top teams in the AFC this season. Jackson is going to be one of the key pieces to making that a reality.

Oct 2, 2016; London, ENG; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) recovers a fumble against the Indianapolis Colts at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

Yannick Ngakoue

Ngakoue may not have been the highest drafted Terp, but he’s making arguably the biggest impact.

Ngakoue came into the NFL off a junior campaign at Maryland in which he recorded a program record 13.5 sacks. The former Friendship Collegiate Academy (D.C.) standout was one of the most dominant pass rushers to come through College Park in quite some time.

The Jacksonville Jaguars saw something special in Ngakoue as they took him with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. It didn’t take Ngakoue long to make his presence known at the professional level.

Ngakoue has already accumulated 10 tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception, and a pass breakup. The former Terp recorded just two tackles in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.

However, Ngakoue has been on a tear ever since.

Fowler gets to Luck…
Luck gets PICKED by @yan_d1prospect!

???? @Jaguars #INDvsJAX #Jaguars https://t.co/DJJVLue8G5

— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2016

He has recorded a sack in each of the last three games, including a strip sack against the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers. In the latest game against the Indianapolis Colts, Ngakoue recorded his first NFL interception off a pass that was batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Ngakoue uses his speed to his advantage so far in the NFL. If he can continue to make his way to the quarterback, gaudy numbers could be in his future.