Darrius Heyward-Bey Scouting Report

It did not take long for Darrius Heyward-Bey to make his mark on the Maryland football program. After redshirting in 2005, Heyward-Bey led the team with 45 receptions, 694 yards and five receiving touchdowns. For his efforts, he earned a variety of All-ACC and All-America honors from various sources. As a sophomore Heyward-Bey cemented his status as one of the best receivers in the Atlantic Coast Conference, catching 51 passes for 786 yards and three touchdowns. Due to a lack of a quarterback to get him the ball, Heyward-Bey's numbers will never be that impressive at the collegiate level, but he has all the skills to be an effective pass catcher in the NFL. It all starts with his size and toughness. At 6-3 and 206 pounds, there are taller receivers out there, but few can combine that size with athleticism that matches Heyward-Bey. The junior has used that athleticism to become one of the best jump-ball threats in the nation. Heyward-Bey also has the speed to match just about any other receiver in this class. With his combination of size, speed and strength, Heyward-Bey could be a first round selection. He will need to put up good numbers at the combine to prove it (since his collegiate production is lacking due to an incapable passing offense in Maryland), but Heyward-Bey should not disappoint when he shows his stuff for the NFL scouts. 10/26 Update: After a horrible start to the season when Maryland barely beat Delaware and then lost to Middle Tennessee, the Terrapins have won six of their last seven games and are tied with Florida State atop the ACC Atlantic standings. The offense still struggles at times, but that has little to do with Heyward-Bey. In eight games the receiver has caught 25 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns. In an effort to get their playmaker the ball more often, Heyward-Bey has even tallied nine rushes for 202 yards and a score. He is not going to put up huge numbers like some other receivers, but Heyward-Bey is still a first round talent. 1/13 Update: The lack of offense at Maryland kept Heyward-Bey's numbers down all year long. He ended the year with just 42 receptions for 609 yards and five touchdowns. He also carried the ball 15 times for 202 yards and a score. Those numbers would not get any better next year and Heyward-Bey knows that he will be one of the top three or four receivers in the upcoming draft. Thus, he opted to skip out on his senior season with the Terps and will be playing on Sundays next season. 3/24 Update: Heyward-Bey's speed is his biggest asset and he certainly showed everybody how fast he is at the NFL Combine. He is not a short possession receiver who is nothing but fast. With his size and speed, he should be a first round pick. However, his lack of collegiate production is a concern for many teams and that could drop him into the early second round. 4/16 Update: Heyward-Bey worked out for the Raiders recently and if they want him, they either have to take him with the seventh overall pick in the draft or trade down. Even if the Maryland receiver does not end up in Oakland, he will not have to wait too long to have his name called on draft day. Michael Crabtree is still the top receiver in the class, but Heyward-Bey could surpass Jeremy Maclin when all is said and done.