Three former Maryland stars selected in 2024 UFL College Draft

A trio of former Terrapin stars could be headed to the UFL after former Maryland safety Beau Brade, offensive tackle Gottlieb Ayedze and cornerback Ja’Quan Sheppard heard their names called during Wednesday’s draft. Ayedze became the first Terp to hear his name called after the DC Defenders selected him with the fourth overall pick in the first round. Brade was next after the San Antonio Brahmas took the Ravens’ UDFA in the seventh round, while the Memphis Showboats selected Sheppard with the first pick of the eighth round. All three Terps are currently with the NFL and maintain rights should the trio opt to suit up in the XFL. Meanwhile, former Maryland verbal Ahmarean Brown became the last pick of the draft after the Birmingham Stallions selected the former Georgia Tech and South Carolina wide receiver. They’ll now get a chance to play in the league that features several former Maryland stars, including Derrick Hayward (DC), AJ Hendy (New York), Cavon Walker (New York), Tre Watson (Dallas), Nick Novak (Los Angeles) and Michael Dunn (Seattle). Brade signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft, shifting his career to the pros after becoming a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. “ was a really productive box safety for us and took a majority of the reps in that position,” safety coach Zac Spavital said of his multi-year starter. Ayedze, meanwhile, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent following April’s draft. Ayedze grew up playing soccer before transitioning to football as a senior at Northwest (MD), blossoming into an under-the-radar recruit who became a three-year starter at Frostburg. After entering the portal following the 2022 season, Ayedze transferred to College Park where he became an all-Big Ten honorable mention selection after becoming the sixth-highest rated pass blocking tackle in the conference. Sheppard, meanwhile, teamed up with Jakorian Bennett in Las Vegas after agreeing to a deal worth $230,000 with the Raiders where he quickly turned heads. "This guy is how you build cornerbacks in a lab," Shrine Bowl director of football operations Eric Galko said. "He is physically impressive with some very inconsistent tape. At worst, he can compete for a special teams role. With good coaching, this guy can be a starting cornerback in the NFL. He is physically talented. He just hasn't put it all together yet." The United Football League, a spring league, just wrapped up its first season after the XFL and USFL merged, creating a draft pool strictly of undrafted players from April’s NFL Draft. Related Links In-state ’26 OL Greg Maddox set to visit Maryland after dead periodKevin Willard on the state of college basketball, chemistry between Queen & Reese, 2024-25 roster expectationsESPN tabs Maryland football as “just looking for a path to 6-6” in Big Ten previewSeveral Maryland football players not in release of EA Sports CFB25Four-star Cam Ward sets Maryland official, talks suitors, fall timeline