Heyward-Bey will enter the 2009 NFL draft
by Matt Vensel | January 7, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Posted in sports
Darrius Heyward-Bey led the Terps with 42 catches for 609 yards {Thanks, AP}
Heyward-Bey led the Terps with 42 catches for 609 yards and five touchdowns this season, and ends his Maryland career ranked second in school history in receiving yards, third in catches and tied for third in touchdown catches. I can only imagine what his numbers would be if he actually had a decent quarterback throwing to him.
He’s an electric playmaker with tons of speed, and his stock is only going to rise once scouts get a look at him at the NFL combine. My guess is that Heyward-Bey will be drafted late in the first round or early in the second.
Can you think of any local teams with a need for a big-play threat at wide receiver that will be drafting late in the first round? Don’t be surprised if he’s in the Ravens’ sights in April.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:34 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
So to the Terps will throw deep to Heyward-Bey about five less times next season than they did this past season. Darn.
Seriously though, I absolutely love this guy, criminally underused though he was, and wish nothing but the best for him at the next level. Hopefully we'll see him on the receiving end of some passes from Joe Flacco next year. A guy can dream, right?
January 7th, 2009 at 4:49 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
You said it about being criminally underused, Andrew. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens seriously considered drafting him. But things will be different of course when the draft rolls around. Who knows what the Ravens' needs will be then?
Ray Lewis could be gone (I expect he'll be back), Terrell Suggs could be gone (I expect him to bolt) and as well as the offensive line has played, it could still use an upgrade.
But Derrick Mason isn't getting any younger and Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams are inconsistent, so WR will definitely be a need.
I don't know about you, but I'm pretty psyched that the NFL draft is only three months away. Is it pathetic that I'm more excited about that than the playoffs right now?
January 7th, 2009 at 5:12 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
This is exciting I went to high school with Darrius. He's a good kid, a great football player, was a great track runner, and is a very funny person.
I'm sure he'd love the chance to play in Baltimore or Washington since he's big on family.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:22 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
That's interesting, Chris. Do you still keep in touch with him at all?
Unfortunately none of my classmates were good at any sports, unless you count overdosing on heroin as athletic competition.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:42 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
I hear more about him from friends who are also in College Park or on other sports teams.