Defensive tackle Joe Vellano runs back a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown near the end of the second quarter during the Terps’ 32-24 win last night.
Former Terrapins football defensive lineman Joe Vellano became the latest member of the program to sign with an NFL team. Vellano signed with the New England Patriots on Monday as an undrafted free agent, ESPN 980 reported.
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Rexford, N.Y., native was a stalwart on the Terps’ defense during the past three years. Last fall, he recorded 61 tackles, including a team-high 14 tackles for loss. Vellano tied linebacker Darin Drakeford — who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night — for the team lead in sacks with six. He was a First Team All-ACC selection in 2012.
In 2011, Vellano earned All-America honors with a 94-tackle performance, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. On Oct. 8, 2011 at Georgia Tech, Vellano notched a career-high 20 tackles including 14 solo. One of Vellano’s finest moments came in the Terps’ season-opening win against Miami when he returned a fumble for a touchdown just before halftime to give the Terps a 20-14 lead.
Vellano entered the starting lineup in his sophomore season in 2010. He started all 13 games of the Military Bowl champion season and recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Vellano is the fourth Terp to sign a contract with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent. Drakeford, defensive lineman A.J. Francis (Miami Dolphins) and tight end Matt Furstenburg (Baltimore Ravens) all signed contracts this weekend. Wide receiver Kevin Dorsey was the lone Terp drafted, and he was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round.
sportsdbk@gmail.com
