Kenneth Tate, SS

04/08/2013 - 2013 Maryland Pro Day: Kenny Tate, OLB (6-3 1/2, 221) - Tate ran the 40 in 4.76 and 4.66 seconds. He had a 33-inch vertical jump. He did the three-cone drill in 7.20 seconds and the short shuttle in 4.34 seconds. He also had 15 strength lifts. Tate was not at the combine, and was worked out as a safety at Maryland's pro day. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com

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After recording 100 tackles and earning All-ACC honors in 2010, Tate was considered one of the top seniors in the country last season.

However, after four games, he was lost for the rest of the 2011 season because of a serious knee injury that also required surgery. Tate was given a medical redshirt and will return to the Terrapins' defense in 2012, but isn't expected to be football-ready until August.

Originally recruited as wide receiver, he picked Maryland over Illinois and Penn State and moved to defensive back soon after arriving in College Park. Tate saw four starts at strong safety over his first two seasons before becoming the full-time starter at free safety in 2010.

He finished his junior season with 100 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions, earning All-ACC and All-American recognition.

Tate moved to the ?STAR? linebacker/safety position in 2011, but redshirted after knee surgery in October, a procedure that takes around nine months of rehab.

Tate enters the 2012 season still on the mend, but is expected to contribute at strongside linebacker for the Terrapins.

Tate is a smart player with a versatile skill-set to line up all over the field, but is an inconsistent tackler and lacks the strength to routinely disengage blocks. Tate is a Taylor Mays-like defender because of his athletic ability and range, but is an undisciplined football player and might be an athlete without a natural position for the next level. Nonetheless, he has the physical skill-set and chase skills to be a top-100 draft pick, if healthy.

--Dane Brugler