As the pro football futures of many former Terps fell into place throughout the weekend, former center Edwin Williams had his phone by his side to make sure his teammates knew he was thinking about them.
“There’s a lot of texting,” said Williams, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins. “They don’t want me calling them on the phone, just a little shout-out of congratulations or ‘how’s it going?’ That’s how it’s always been. We’re a tight group.”
After five Terps were drafted over the weekend tying a Ralph Friedgen-era high, eight more Terps have worked out arrangements with NFL teams.
From a senior class that featured 33 seniors that led to a Pro Timing Day with 24 participants, this year’s Terps will be well-represented when NFL training camps roll around this summer.
“Having five players drafted into the National Football League is a big stamp for our senior class,” new Philadelphia Eagles’ linebacker Moise Fokou said Sunday night. “Plus with some other guys hopefully catching on places in the next few days, some way somehow, we’ll make our mark on the League.”
These former Terps join 25 others already on NFL rosters. They know the challenges ahead if they hope to make an opening week roster.
While last year’s seniors fell short of their major objective of winning an ACC Championship, linebacker Dave Philistin said they can still share a new goal of representing this university at the next level.
“It’s good to see that people are getting recognition and getting signed,” said Philistin, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks. “Now it’s what you do from it now. They cut drafted players and they cut free agents. I’m sure everybody who went to a team will do their thing.”
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