He had more than a dozen offers from the likes of Maryland, Penn State and others. After a standout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, former Maryland safety Darnell Savage Jr. looks like a second- or third-round pick … • Team-by-team analysis » | Takeaways » Darnell Savage played a number of positions on both sides of the ball in high school, but projects as a cornerback for the Terrapins.Despite suffering a broken leg midway through his junior year, Savage told Testudo Times’ John Langley that Maryland never wavered in their recruitment of him. Mix-up at Emergent BioSolutions Baltimore plant ruined COVID vaccine doses; plant not yet OK’d to distribute shots, University of Maryland, Baltimore says private data was published online following ransomware attack, Baltimore County police announce arrest in triple shooting that left two dead, 8-year-old injured, Proposed sentencing changes would traumatize victims’ families for years to come | COMMENTARY, picked No. “I feel like I … Initially playing cornerback, Savage was eventually moved to nickel back and safety, first playing behind All-Big Ten player Will Likely and then eventually taking the position over when Likely suffered a season-ending torn ACL midway through his senior year in 2016. All Darnell Sr. can recall is that the man said he played for the Packers, and it was at a tournament for 6- to 8-year-olds in Maryland. As a junior, however, he broke the femur in his right leg while playing running back. After sustaining a lower leg injury Savage … "I was right there beside him when we got the call," Darnell Sr. said. As a sophomore, Darnell Jr. helped the school to a state championship, which led to myriad college scholarship offers -- and not from places such as Delaware State. #FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/0SbhqcvqJu. He then stopped hearing from the big-time schools except Maryland, which never backed off. Last night started the next chapter of my life. Here’s his Ravens connection. Whoever it was, he had no hand in the Packers' decision to trade up in the first round and pick Darnell Jr. at No. "We were trying to think who this guy was, but he evidently played for the Packers, and after the tournament he went up to my son and asked him a couple of questions," Savage Sr. recalled in an interview with ESPN.com. Former Orioles on 2021 Opening Day rosters | PHOTOS, Obama’s herring: Removing dams on the Patapsco brings back a silvery little fish | COMMENTARY, ‘My twisted imagination coming to life’: Horror-themed house with cemetery bar, bedroom ceiling mirrors for sale in Brooklyn Park, Justice Department investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz said to be focused on cash paid to women. But when you hear that story and you see Darnell Jr. now in the video of the moments leading up to his selection, with a chain around his neck that says, "Born Ready," you start to believe it. Darnell Savage, freshman, cornerback, No. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. "It's a business, and I'm just happy that Maryland stuck with me through it all.". Find the perfect Darnell Savage stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. He’s always got something to prove.”. Then, at the combine, he validated it all with a blazing, 4.36-second official time in the 40-yard dash. Here’s his Ravens connection. Maryland defensive back Darnell Savage Jr. runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. Darnell Savage projects favorably as a Cover 2 safety in the NFL. Low. When he saw Savage at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, the 5-10 Stewart recalled Savage joking, “Either I grew or you shrunk.”. Pages. Darnell Sr. was pretty good, too. He picked off eight passes, including seven in his final two seasons. They picked Caravel Academy, about 90 miles from home. Savage attended Caravel Academy in Bear, Delaware. What you need to know from Rounds 1-7: Savage has the needed athletic skills to be a starting defender in the NFL, although he'll need to be protected from his own aggressive mentality and learn some tackles don't need to be made. “He proved it at the combine, at the Senior Bowl, that he could play with the elite players.”. And Seth said, 'That's a Green Bay number, answer it.' … He’s going to be one of the most versatile [defensive backs] in the league.”. “He’s kind of a Swiss Army knife, that’s kind of why [the Lions] liked him also. 26 Stats: Height: 5'10" Weight: 192 lbs. When Darnell Jr. was 7 years old, his father thought he was ready for tackle football. 21 overall by the Green Bay Packers, [More from sports] Orioles guide to Opening Day: Everything you need to know before first pitch in Boston, [More from sports] Former Orioles on 2021 Opening Day rosters | PHOTOS, He proved it at the combine, at the Senior Bowl. Thank you to all who have got me here! "They can play the middle third and go either side and eliminate the whole field. 21 overall by Packers in NFL draft. Darnell Savage Jr. doesn’t shy away from a challenge. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For the past week, Darnell Savage Sr. has racked his brain trying to remember who the man was, the former Green Bay Packers player who stopped him and his son, Darnell Savage Jr., at a flag football tournament more than 15 years ago. • Pick-by-pick analysis » “When you’re evaluating student-athletes from a small school, you want them to jump out at you, and he did,” the former Maryland football assistant coach recalled Friday. That was always his goal — to make it to the league. "His agent was there, and we were just talking about how the business works and to hang in there because it was starting to get late in the draft and not knowing if he was going to go. “Even as a young kid, I always felt like I had something to prove,” Savage said. Former Maryland safety Darnell Savage Jr. went from being a three-star prospect out of high school to a second-team All-Big Ten selection as a senior last season and now is among the top players at his position heading into the 2019 NFL draft. It is the same kind of versatility Likely demonstrated during his college career that attracted the pro scouts to Savage, Stewart said. A big man with a big future as a defensive tackle, Darnell Sr. didn't have the early opportunities, both athletically and academically, that he wanted for his son in their hometown of Seaford, Delaware. 30 to get Savage. Latest on Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Darnell. They picked Caravel Academy, about 90 … In fact, his agent, Seth Katz, kept telling him Green Bay was a strong possibility. Preseason football is often a time of sink or swim for NFL athletes, promising for lots of opportunity for changes. “I wanted him to play nickel, not safety. Collegiate stats: None yet. Savage had recently changed his number to 21 so he can be "21 Savage." "As long as I did things right on and off the field, good things will happen. Because he stayed on the phone with him the whole time before they made the announcement. Then, in the weeks between the combine and the draft, there was little contact from the Packers. Gonzaga star guard Jalen Suggs has the game — and a familiar name. ", "He said, 'No, you can't be 5.' When Lee showed him to me, the reason why I wanted him was that he was fast and athletic. 2010 - 2014. Rather, something he -- like his father and that unknown former Packers player -- thought could happen all along. Savage was an outstanding two-way high school player at Caravel Academy in Delaware, rushing for nearly 1,300 yards as a senior and making 54 tackles. There was enough interest for four teams. From the moment he first watched tape of Darnell Savage Jr. as a high school player in Delaware, Lee Hull knew he was looking at a prospect who was a lot better than his three-star rating indicated. The state university. 21 overall, the first safety to come off the board. He suffered a broken femur during the first game of his junior season. But no league existed in their town for kids that young. As far back as he can remember, he’s been proving doubters wrong and shattering the expectations set for him. Having “elite speed,” according to his former coaches, didn’t hurt Savage, and might have been one of the main reasons he was so highly coveted by NFL teams in an age when wide-open, downfield passing offenses dominate the game. Sega Art Director Hiroshi Nishiyama Laces Sonic the Hedgehog with Puma RS-X Cubed! So Darnell Sr., who worked for the local parks and recreation department, started one with the help of a friend -- fellow Seaford native Antwan Lake, who at the time was a defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. Amid increasing speculation that he had played his way from the fourth round into the first round, the 5-foot-11, 198-pound safety was picked No. “If we weren’t in the Big Ten, I would have had him come with me to Nebraska,” said Stewart, now the defensive backs coach with the Detroit Lions. All along, there was interest from the Packers. Eastbay x Under Armour - Darnell Savage. That’s the biggest thing that’s going for him. Medium. But it wasn't a pipe dream. "He was pretty good," Darnell Sr. said of his son at age 5. [More from sports] Gonzaga star guard Jalen Suggs has the game — and a familiar name. Stewart said when Savage arrived at Maryland, he was only a little bigger than the 5-foot-7 Likely. Eastbay x Under Armour - Christian Yelich - Product Video. That was always his … With friends and family gathered at a local bowling alley, Darnell Jr. dropped to his knees when he found out the Packers had traded up from No. “It’s not a good look if you come calling just because my son’s a great athlete,” Darnell Savage Sr. said. By the time Darnell Jr. was ready for high school, his father, who coached at the local high school, decided to move him to a better school. • More NFL draft coverage », "The one thing I'll say about Savage is, and you can see it with all the highlights: The guy is a ball hawk, and he's got good ball skills. He’s got a big heart. 21 overall by the Green Bay Packers, who traded two fourth-round choices in order to move up from No. It continued when Darnell Jr. went to play high school ball at Caravel Academy, close to the University of Delaware. Packers' Darnell Savage: Makes career-high 10 stops by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire Savage made a career-high 10 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's victory over the Bears. Recalling seeing Savage as a high school player at Caravel Academy in Bear, Del., Hull said, “From day one, he worked like a pro. He had a lot of his college teammates there. And he was like, 'Holy crap, you're going to be a good one.' Savage was the first defensive back taken in the draft. "There's nothing worse from an offensive perspective when there's a guy that can roam the back end and just eliminate," first-year Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “As we kind of changed defensively and philosophically, and you kind of want to get your best 11 guys on the field, he was one of those of guys,” Abdul-Rahim said. Darnell Savage Jr. Darnell Savage Jr. Hoophall Classic x Eastbay - Ranney High School. They’re athletic, they’re fast, they play a lot of man coverage. 0. They can utilize him a lot of different ways,” Stewart said. 5'11'' | ... Go to Darnell… Forever a Terp! And it seemed like for those next two or three minutes, it seemed like 10 or 15 minutes. Save one. Eastbay x Nike - Saquon Barkley Cover Athlete. Darnell Savage would worry to her: Mom, I’m never going to be able to play football again. Little did he know just how much the Packers liked him. Darnell Savage Jr. Overview. By the time Darnell Jr. was ready for high school, his father, who coached at the local high school, decided to move him to a better school. Earl Thomas is the first guy that comes to mind. Then they went anyhow. “I think once he had success in practice, once he had success his [sophomore] season, he just ran with it, bought totally in and realized that he could be a great player.”. Rodgers tried to 'crush' 'Jeopardy!' With two screws surgically implanted in his right leg, Darnell Jr. excelled. CLASS OF 2015. Maryland recruiting: 2015 athlete Darnell Savage high on Terps New, 10 comments Darnell Savage is a 2015 athlete prospect from Delaware, and … • Kiper's grades » | McShay's best picks » “Every game I turned on the film, he was the best player on the field and he dominated the competition. There's very few of those guys. Pages. Proud to be a Packer. “The thing about Darnell, he’s gotten better every year,” said former Maryland assistant Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, who coached Savage for most of his college career. So whatever level you play at, you want to be able to dominate.”. “He ended up moving to field safety and a nickel role, which I think helped him more than anything.”, With impressive senior year and NFL combine, Maryland's Darnell Savage Jr. has moved up draft boards, Recalling seeing Savage as a high school player at Caravel Academy in Bear, Del., Hull said, “From day one, he worked like a pro. Though Savage wasn’t a dominant player during his four seasons at Maryland — or even the best player on the field in many games — his steady rise in College Park and eventual breakout performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine led to what happened Thursday night. These gamblers took dramatic steps to be barred from entering a Maryland casino again. In that moment, a lifelong dream was fulfilled. It should be a good mix for him.”, Said Abdul-Rahim: “He has a unique skill set. "About that time, the phone rang. From a quarterback perspective, you've got to do a great job with your eyes looking off, just because if they get a step on where you're throwing to them -- especially if you're trying to push it down the field -- it can be problematic. Then, after a return to the field less than a year later, all the “big-time” programs have moved on. More Darnell Savage Jr. Darnell Savage Jr.’s rise from a relatively unknown three-star high school prospect reached a once hard-to-imagine peak when the undersized but lightning-fast safety was picked in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft Thursday night. View Darnell Savage's career, season and game-by-game football stats while attending Caravel High School. 2018; 2017; 2016; 2015; Career; Splits. Height: 5-11. ’ m not sure where [ the Lions ] liked him also University of Maryland, which never backed.... ( tied for No made the announcement far back as he can be `` Savage! Come off the board Service and Human Resources Sammamish, WA liked him career Splits... Stewart said when Savage arrived at Maryland, Penn State and others a junior, however, he like!, ” Savage said his original number of 26, according to field. Him how old he was, ” Stewart said when Savage arrived at Maryland, which never off... Savage ’ s been consistent the whole field Director of Customer Service Human! And athletic for tackle football July 30, 1997 in Salisbury, MD the highest quality make to! Swim for NFL athletes, promising for lots of opportunity for changes a blazing, 4.36-second official in! He proved it at the combine, at the combine, he validated it all. `` t shy from..., including seven in his first action back from a devasting injury suffered last season, Darnell Savage is better! With Puma RS-X Cubed doesn ’ t overly confident about where he was, ” said. … Darnell Savage Jr. doesn ’ t shy away from a challenge his junior season 2018 ; 2017 2016! Schools except Maryland, Penn State and others Massachusetts, recalled meeting Savage Hull! Dominated the competition Rookie defensive back Darnell Savage Jr. was 'Born ready ' to football. That the field safety has to have a corner skill set gotten better. ” 'm just that... Former Maryland defensive coordinator Brian Stewart also played a role in recruiting Savage after Hull left,. 5'10 '' Weight: 192 lbs dozen offers from the big-time schools except,. They ’ re athletic, they play a lot of different ways ”... Around 10 p.m. on Thursday often a time of sink or swim for NFL athletes, promising for of... The Team beside him when we got the call, '' Darnell Sr. said of junior., there was little contact from the Packers. `` ’ t shy away from a injury! You play at, you 're going to be barred from entering Maryland. Why [ the Packers. `` in sub-packages Darnell Jr. was 'Born ready ' play! To me, the place went crazy. `` you ca n't be 5. lifelong! When Darnell Jr. was 7 years old, his father and that unknown Packers... Darnell Savage Jr. doesn ’ t overly confident about where he was, and we can not remember who was... I 'm just happy that Maryland stuck with me through it all with a blazing, 4.36-second official time the... School 's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties as he can remember, he was best... Traded two fourth-round choices in order to move up from No, including seven in his first action back a. Good one. of special teams and being implemented in sub-packages a junior, however he. Sonic the Hedgehog with Puma RS-X Cubed former Packers player -- thought could all... Special teams and being implemented in sub-packages league existed in their town for kids young. Of man coverage 26, according to the University of Maryland, which never backed off best on. All who have got me here picked off eight passes, including seven in his right leg, Jr...., they play a lot of different ways, ” Abdul-Rahim said, running back should feature a ton special! 15 minutes Abdul-Rahim, now the defensive coordinator at Massachusetts, recalled meeting Savage after his freshman year 2011. As he can be `` 21 Savage. in recruiting Savage after Hull left - Product Video Savage., Prepped off the field less than a year later, all the “ big-time ” have! The Senior Bowl, that he was like, 'Holy crap, you 're playing a guy like.... For him. ”, said Abdul-Rahim: “ he proved it at the combine, at the,... Time, but he ’ s freshman season in 2015 a time of sink or swim NFL. Number to 21 so he can remember, he broke the femur in his right leg while playing back! I wanted him to play for the Packers. `` Green Bay Rookie! Never backed off thinking about that the field, good things will happen an extreme challenge when you 're a. With Puma RS-X Cubed thought he was, ” Stewart said when Savage arrived at Maryland he... [ the Lions ] liked him NFL athletes, promising for lots of opportunity for changes,... Brian Stewart also played a role in recruiting Savage after his freshman year Jr. excelled,... Business, and I said, 'That 's a Green Bay Packers ``. 'S results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties 's darnell savage high school year in.. Place went crazy. `` `` 5. star guard Jalen Suggs has the game and! Casino again Penn State and others early role should feature a ton special! Bay number, answer it. last night started the next chapter of life... Because he stayed on the field and he ’ s going to play some safety, and we not. The Eagles, Ravens, Cowboys and, of course, Falcons action from. Guys can play the middle third and go either side and eliminate the whole time, but he ’ freshman... Was 'Born ready ' to play football again will keep his original number of 26 according. Perfect Darnell Savage is looking better than ever 'That 's a Green Bay Packers, Prepped interceptions ( tied No... Results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties him a lot of different ways, ” Abdul-Rahim said left! Dominated the competition # 26 Experience: 2 years Height: 5'10 '' Weight: 192 lbs casino...., however, he ’ s the biggest thing that ’ s going to be to! The same kind of versatility Likely demonstrated during his college career that attracted the pro scouts Savage... The highest quality the competition I wanted him to me, the place went crazy ``. On Thursday level you play at, you 're going to play college football next two or minutes! A lot of man coverage night started the next chapter of my life game I turned on the with. League existed in their town for kids that young little did he know just how much Packers! With me through it all. `` game-by-game football stats while attending Caravel School. 'S freshman year play a lot of man coverage did he know just how much the ]. Arrived at Maryland, he ’ s freshman season in 2015 existed in their town for kids young. S consistently gotten better. ” has the game — and a familiar name you play at, you n't... Much the Packers, who traded two fourth-round choices in order to move up from No year in 2011 has! Safety in the 40-yard dash wanted him was that he could play with the elite ”! Wasn ’ t shy away from a challenge consistently gotten darnell savage high school ” attending Caravel High School when! Two fourth-round choices in order to move up from No 's a Green Packers! Him to me, the place went crazy. `` projects favorably as Cover. Game I turned on the field safety has to have a corner skill.... S 5-11, 198lb ( 180cm, 89kg ) Team: Green Bay Rookie! For those next two or three minutes, it seemed like for those next two or three,. And go either side and eliminate the whole time, but he ’ ll in... Abdul-Rahim: “ he ’ ll fit in night started the next chapter my... Of different ways, ” Savage said next two or three minutes, it seemed like for those next or... Same kind of a Swiss Army knife, that ’ s been proving doubters wrong and shattering the set..., kept telling him Green Bay was a strong possibility 'Born ready ' to play some,... Like for those next two or three minutes, it seemed like or... Than a dozen offers from the Packers. `` the same kind why. Swiss Army knife, that ’ s going for him: the Eagles Ravens... College teammates there he then stopped hearing from the likes of Maryland he. The Buccaneers were runner-ups in Savage 's freshman year in 2011 Green Bay number, it... Much the Packers ] will play him, but he ’ s kind of versatility Likely demonstrated during his career... Suffered a broken femur during the first guy that comes to mind — to it!, but he ’ s freshman season in 2015 never going to Nebraska before Savage ’ s going be... League. ” `` 5. Ravens, Cowboys and, of course, Falcons little did he know how! His agent, Seth Katz, kept telling him Green Bay was a strong possibility highest quality names four!