2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: Big Ten Conference
By Kyle Edmond
Maryland – Ayinde Eley, Linebacker, Junior
The first junior on this list, Ayinde Eley will have a big load to carry for Maryland, a team that looks to be back to the beginning stages of a rebuild after seeing their top talent from a year ago leave.
Losing their biggest playmakers, the door will be open for Eley to grow on a strong sophomore campaign. Playing in 11 games, Eley was second on the team in tackles last season, totaling 79. Of those, four were for a loss and he added a 0.5 sack. Filling out the stat sheet, Eley also had an interception as well as two forced fumbles, which led the team.
The stat line was enough for Eley to be named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Now, preparing for his junior season, it’ll take a near historic year for Eley to be NFL ready by the time April rolls around. With that being said, he should be at the top of the list for the next Maryland player to enter the NFL. From last year’s roster, Eley is the only one returning who totaled more than 60 tackles, meaning he could easily be the star of the Terrapin defense for the next one to two years, depending on when he wants to declare for the NFL Draft.