As NFL Cut Day 2011 came and went, three former Maryland Terrapins, perhaps long shots to make rosters when training camp began, ended up members of their respective team's official 53-man roster.
The Seattle Seahawks kept former Terp and California University (Pennsylvania) quarterback Josh Portis, and it appears Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll will look to utilize Portis in various ways, not just as a clipboard-holding emergency QB. Seattle knew Portis played well enough in the preseason they could not sneak him on to their practice squad if he was released.
Just up the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, former Maryland wideout LaQuan Williams made the Ravens roster. Williams, an undrafted free agent like Portis, caught four balls in the preseason for 84 yards, but it was his return skills that most likely secured his spot on the final roster. The ex-Terp average 35.5 yards on two punt returns and 30.5 yards on two kickoff returns.
Perhaps the most impressive performance by a former Maryland player in training camp was that of Giants running back Da'Rel Scott, a seventh round selection. The speedster had both a 97-yard and 65-yard touchdown in exhibition play, and his explosive running style made it impossible for New York to cut him for fear of losing him to another team.
For more on undrafted free agents, both for the Redskins and for local college players, visit this StoryStream.