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Asa junior, University of Maryland tight end Matt Furstenburg caught 31 passes, which was enough to make him a consensus All-ACC selection entering his senior season with the Terrapins and put him on the radar of NFL teams. Furstenburg's senior season, however, did nothing to enhance his stock for the 2013 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 242-pound Furstenburgcaught only 16 passes in 2012, victimized by the Terrapins' turmoil at quarterback. Maryland lost four quarterbacks to season-ending injuries during the year and ended the season with freshman linebacker Shawn Petty playing quarterback. The Terrapins lost their final six games, finishing the season 4-8.
"It was just a pretty bad experience," Furstenburg said via phone earlier this week. "Mid-way through the season we were literally trying anyone out who could throw. It was a rough season."
[BBV Prospect Profile of Furstenburg]
The Washington Post said that despite the struggles as a senior Furstenburg "still possesses the size and skill to make the jump into the NFL.
Furstenburg has set out to show NFL teams just that during the post-season pre-draft process. So far, so good. His 4.62 40-yard dash and 35.5-inch vertical leap were second-best among tight ends at the Scouting Combine.
When Maryland held its Pro Day the Giants were one of 16 teams who reportedly attended. Furstenburg also worked out for the Giants earlier this week when the team held its pre-draft local prospects workout. As a Framingham, N.J. native, Furstenburg is considered a local prospect for the Giants.
Furstenburg has been used in-line, as an H-Back and split our into the slot.
"My college days did not really show my true ability. If you just give me a chance I can show you that I can be a force on someone's offense," Furstenburg said.
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What happens in the draft is anyone's guess, but Furstenburg could be selected at any point on Day 3 of the draft. Some analysts have him going as high as the fourth or fifth round, while other reports refer to him as a priority undrafted free agent. For his part, Furstenburg doesn't care.
"I just hope I can get on a team and make it. That's all that really counts," he said.