After not hearing his name called in the National Football League draft, Mario Merrills turned off the television and decided to go out to dinner with his girlfriend. His career was in limbo.
Then the phone rang, and the Washington Redskins were on the other end. They invited the Wilde Lake High graduate and former University of Maryland running back to their minicamp, which starts Thursday in Ashburn, Va.
“I?m excited. I look at it as an opportunity to get my foot in the door,” Merrills said Tuesday.
Merrills had an impressive showing at Maryland?s Pro Day, a workout in front of scouts. He talked with the Redskins that day.
“He tested real well at Pro Day,” Mario?s father, Albert Merrills, said.
Still, when the Redskins called after the draft, he was surprised, thinking his time in football might be over and it may be time to concentrate on graduating in three weeks.
“They called me up and said ?Are you still interested?? I wasn?t expecting them to call back,” Merrills said.
Jason Murphy of Edmondson High and Virginia Tech signed a two-year free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers after going undrafted. Murphy, an offensive lineman, said he had two NFL teams (Seattle and Kansas City) call him while they were on the clock Sunday. But neither team picked Murphy.
“It was one of those humbling experiences. I am ready to get this chip off my shoulder,” Murphy said Tuesday, about not getting chosen. Murphy said he will attend the San Diego minicamp, which begins May 12.
Former Terp Derrick Fenner was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Redskins.
Gerrick McPhearson, a defensive back for Maryland and a Howard High graduate, was selected in the seventh round by the New York Giants.
McPhearson was one of three Maryland players taken during the two-day draft, including sixth overall selection Vernon Davis (49ers) and second rounder D?Qwell Jackson (Browns).
Maryland had several players sign as free agents following the draft, including wide receiver Danny Melendez and linebacker William Kershaw with the Kansas City Chiefs. Tight end Derek Miller signed with the Oakland Raiders.
FROM HOWARD TO THE NFL
Did you know? Merrills and McPhearson were star running backs in high school for arch rivals Howard and Wilde Lake during the 2000 season in Howard County. McPhearson transferred from Cardinal Gibbons. Merrills rushed for more than 1,700 yards, with 21 touchdowns as a senior. McPhearson ran for 825 yards and caught 10 passes for 228 yards for Howard.
