COLLEGE PARK -The man everyone came to see yesterday was hard to miss, even if you didn't notice the red-and-gray numbered shirt he wore when he ran the fastest 40-yard dash in the NFL scouting combine three weeks ago.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, at home and at ease, towered over the field in more ways than one on Maryland's pro day. At least 25 teams and as many as 40 NFL scouts or coaches were on campus to watch 24 draft-eligible Terps get timed, tested, weighed and measured.
Most of those on hand were eager to see Heyward-Bey run routes and catch passes from his one-time quarterback, Maryland graduate Sam Hollenbach. Some, like Minnesota Vikings assistant George Stewart, came just for that.
But bigger tests are coming soon for the Terps' playmaking receiver.
Heyward-Bey's agent, Ben Dogra, said the Ravens will visit March 23 to work out the 6-foot-3 burner - and they'll bring quarterback Joe Flacco along to throw to him.
The Philadelphia Eagles have also arranged a workout in College Park, and three more teams - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams and Vikings - have extended invitations to Heyward-Bey.
Roll call is expected to expand appreciably during the next few weeks. But Heyward-Bey left little doubt he relishes the idea of getting drafted by the Ravens, who own the 26th pick. And he likes the chance to catch Flacco's passes.
"That will be great," he said after delivering a strong performance in position drills. Flacco "went to Delaware and did a great job last year. I could go there and be a weapon for them. We could grow together ... write that."
Heyward-Bey is regarded as the third or fourth best receiver in this year's class. Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech and Jeremy Maclin of Missouri head the list, and Heyward-Bey has, in some evaluations, moved past Percy Harvin of Florida (injury issues). Most draft experts believe Heyward-Bey will be taken in the first round, but some think he might slip into the top of the second.
Heyward-Bey's blistering 40 in Indianapolis last month (4.30 seconds) was merely a confirmation of world-class speed, not a revelation. It's his technique as a receiver that scouts want to scrutinize.
Terps coach Ralph Friedgen, who attended the workouts, said Heyward-Bey, a Silver Spring native who went to McDonogh, is scraping the tip of his potential.
