The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Maryland football offensive lineman Derwin Gray in the seventh round of the NFL draft Saturday.
Gray didn’t become a full-time starter until his junior season, but he helped anchor the Terps’ offensive line in 2017 and 2018, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in both years.
A four-star prospect at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C., Gray didn’t see game action as a freshman in 2014, and played in two games in 2015. He took on a larger role in 2016, making three starts in place of Michael Dunn at left tackle.
With Dunn’s departure, Gray stepped in to start all 12 games at left tackle in 2017. He ended up receiving the James M. Tatum Memorial Award, given to the Terps’ best lineman, and considered testing the NFL waters but decided to stay for 2018 with fellow redshirt seniors Damian Prince and Brendan Moore.
Injuries sidelined Gray for two games last season — the Terps’ season opener against Texas and their matchup with Temple two weeks later. Maryland ran for a total of 275 yards on 3.6 yards per carry in those two contests, while averaging 248.7 rushing yards on 6.1 yards per carry in the other 10.
