Terrance West is probably the biggest name.
He is the star running back from Towson University whose performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis likely put him even more in the conversation to be the first running taken in this year’s NFL draft.
But West wasn’t the only Maryland native that shined during the combine, which concluded Tuesday.
Six players that grew up in Maryland took part in the combine. None of the six did anything in terms of on-field workouts to hurt their standing with NFL teams heading into the draft in May.
West in particular shined.
At 5-foot-11, 223 pounds, the Baltimore native ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds. That was the third-fastest time among running backs 220 pounds or heavier.
West ran for 2,509 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season in leading Towson to the FCS championship game, but his speed was a question mark.
“I thought he’d [run slower], so I do think he helped himself,” NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock said.
“West was looked at by many pundits as a likely third-to-fourth round pick heading into the combine. Now, he may go even earlier, especially after some of the draft’s other top-rated running backs put forth underwhelming showings in Indianapolis.”
Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller, another Baltimore native who went to Mount St. Joseph, likely also kept himself in the conversation to be an early-round pick.
Mayock said prior to the combine that Fuller would be a lock to go in the first round if he ran the 40-yard dash in less than 4.50 seconds, and he did. His 40-time Tuesday was 4.49 seconds.
Fuller was a four-year starter at Virginia Tech and received All-ACC honors each of the last three years. He was second-team All-ACC in 2011, honorable mention All-ACC in 2012 and third-team All-ACC in 2013.
Mayock compares Fuller to New Orleans Saints starting cornerback Keenan Lewis and said he could see Fuller going as early as the middle of the first round.
“The Fuller kid I really like,” Mayock said. “I have got him as my third-ranked corner. I think he’s a first round talent. He’s long. He tackles. He has ball skills.”
Other Maryland natives that likely helped their draft stock are Wake Forest wide receiver Michael Campanaro, Delaware defensive tackle Zach Kerr and Bloomsburg defensive end Larry Webster.
Campanaro is from Clarksville and went to River Hill High School.
Kerr is from Gaithersburg and went to Quince Orchard. He transferred to Delaware from the University of Maryland in 2012.
Webster is from Hagerstown. His father, Larry, played for the Ravens from 1996 through 2001.
For more on Marylanders at the NFL Scouting Combine continue here…
