Terps’ McBrien signs with Packers

Maryland quarterback Scott McBrien signed with Green Bay as an undrafted free agent last night following a draft that included five Terrapins.

A two-time bowl MVP, McBrien declined a recent offer from the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes to make himself available to the NFL despite knowing his chances of being drafted were slim. McBrien (6-foot, 181 pounds) was considered too small by some NFL officials, but Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said Green Bay “got a steal.”

“I coached some guys in the Hula Bowl who went in the draft, and there was no comparison between McBrien and those guys,” Friedgen said.

Maryland’s three-year resurgence under Friedgen helped the Terps in the draft. Linebacker Leon Joe went to Chicago (112th overall) in the fourth round. Tight end Joe Dugan (220th) was taken by Minnesota, and running back Bruce Perry (242nd) was chosen by Philadelphia in the seventh round.

On Saturday, safety Madieu Williams (56th) went in the second round to Cincinnati, while defensive tackle Randy Starks (71st) was taken by Tennessee in the third. The five Terps selected were the team’s most since 1988 when the draft went 12 rounds. Five Terps were chosen over seven rounds in 1984, including first-round selection Boomer Esiason.

In addition to McBrien, five other Terps signed as free agents yesterday. Receiver Jafar Williams and safety Dennard Wilson signed with Washington, cornerback Curome Cox and guard Lamar Bryant went to Atlanta, and receiver Latrez Harrison chose New England.

Friedgen expects Joe and Dugan to fare well in the NFL. Both were team leaders known for hard-hitting.

“When Leon plays with intensity, he’s as good as there is,” Friedgen said. “I’m really going to miss Dugan because he was such a great leader and consistent player. I think he was the best blocking tight end by far in the ACC last season.”

Chicago director of college scouting Greg Gabriel expects Joe to make the Bears through special teams.

“Joe follows the theme of the draft that we’re looking for, and that’s to add speed,” Gabriel said. “He’s a good, instinctive player who makes a lot of plays and has a lot of range.”

Meanwhile, five players from Virginia Tech were selected, including two in the first round. Atlanta made cornerback DeAngelo Hall the eighth pick overall, and running back Kevin Jones was chosen 30th by Detroit. Center Jake Grove was taken by Oakland in the second round, wide receiver Ernest Wilford was chosen in the fourth round by Jacksonville and defensive end Nathaniel Adibi went to Pittsburgh in the fifth.

Virginia quarterback Matt Schaub was chosen in the third round by Atlanta.