2019 SEASON: Started all 14 games he appeared in and recorded 61 tackles (41 solo), a tackle for a loss, two INTs, a team-high two forced fumbles, seven passes defensed, a QB hit and two QB pressures...Was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team...Was inactive (ankle) for two contests (Weeks 6-7)…Started both playoff games and ranked No. 3 on the team with 12 tackles (nine solo), including a tackle for a loss…At Chicago (Sept. 5): Became the first rookie safety to start for the Packers in Week 1 since Burnett in 2010. Registered three tackles (all solo), a pass defensed, a QB pressure and a QB hit. Late in the first half, broke up a QB Mitchell Trubisky pass over the middle intended for WR Allen Robinson on third down to force a Chicago punt…Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 15): Led the secondary with a season-high seven tackles (six solo) along with his first career forced fumble and two passes defensed. Punched the ball out from QB Kirk Cousins at the end of his 11-yard scramble late in the first quarter, a fumble that the Vikings recovered. Late in the first half, got a hand in to break up Cousins' pass over the middle intended for WR Stefon Diggs, deflecting the ball into the arms of LB Preston Smith for the interception to the Minnesota 47…Vs. Denver (Sept. 22): Matched his season high with seven tackles (five solo) and added a QB pressure and his first interception as a pro. Late in the third quarter, came up to make a diving INT of an errant throw by QB Joe Flacco at the Green Bay 28…At Dallas (Oct. 6): Started, but was limited to just 19 snaps after sustaining an ankle injury in the second quarter that prevented him from returning to the game and forced him to miss the next two contests…At N.Y. Giants (Dec. 1): Recorded three tackles (two solo) and an interception. Early in the fourth quarter, picked off QB Daniel Jones' overthrown pass intended for WR Sterling Shepard over the middle, returning the pick 28 yards to the New York 38…Vs. Washington (Dec. 8): Posted a solo tackle and a forced fumble. On Washington's opening drive of the second half, came up to punch the ball out from RB Chris Thompson after he made the catch on a screen pass, a fumble that was recovered by the Redskins…At San Francisco (NFC Championship, Jan. 19): Played all 55 snaps, the only player on the Green Bay defense to do so, and posted nine tackles (six solo), including a tackle for a loss.
COLLEGE: Played in 46 games with 37 starts in four seasons for Maryland, recording 182 tackles (139 solo), eight INTs (two returned for TDs), 22 passes defensed, a sack, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt he returned for a TD…Earned All-Big Ten honors from media and coaches in each of his final two years, being named honorable mention in 2017 and second team in 2018…Started all 36 games over his final three seasons…Earned a degree in family science…Senior season (2018): Played in all 12 games and was named second-team All-Big Ten by both the media and the coaches…Was tied for No. 2 in the Big Ten, trailing only teammate LB Tre Watson (five), and tied for No. 16 in the country with four INTs…Finished No. 4 on the team with 52 tackles (38 solo) and No. 2 on the team with a career-best 5½ tackles for a loss…Returned an interception for a TD for the second straight year…Also tallied six passes defensed…Posted seven tackles (six solo) and two tackles for a loss, and with Maryland trailing by 14 late in the second quarter, picked off a QB Anthony Russo pass and returned it 23 yards for a TD vs. Temple (Sept. 15)…Recorded six tackles (five solo) and an INT at Michigan (Oct. 6)…Hauled in two INTs vs. Rutgers (Oct. 13), becoming first Terp to post two INTs in a game since DB Sean Davis vs. USF on Sept. 19, 2015…Finished with a season-best nine tackles (seven solo) vs. Ohio State (Nov. 17)…Junior season (2017): Earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from the media and coaches after leading the team with 11 passes defensed and tying for the team lead with three INTs…Started all 12 games and tied his career best in tackles (59) and solo tackles (45)…Also recovered a fumble and returned an interception 75 yards for a TD…Finished with seven tackles (five solo) and a pass defensed at Texas (Sept. 2), helping Maryland pick up its first victory against a ranked opponent in seven seasons and its first-ever win against a ranked opponent in a season opener (previously 0-7)…Tallied four tackles and returned an interception 75 yards for a TD in the second quarter vs. Towson (Sept. 9)…Finished with seven tackles (all solo) and picked off QB Clayton Thorson in the first quarter, giving Maryland the ball at the NU 32-yard line vs. Northwestern (Oct. 14)…Registered a season-best eight tackles (six solo) and a pass defensed, and recovered an RB Jonathan Taylor fumble at the Badgers' 5-yard line in the first quarter at Wisconsin (Oct. 21)…Tallied four solo tackles vs. Indiana (Oct. 28) and sparked a 14-point comeback by first intercepting a QB Peyton Ramsey pass and returning it 18 yards to the Indiana 14-yard-line to set up a TD on the next play to pull within seven and then by blocking a punt and returning it 16 yards for a TD in the second quarter to pull within two points. It was the largest comeback win for the Terps since being down 17 points against Rutgers on Nov. 28, 2015…Sophomore season (2016): Started all 12 games he appeared in and set career highs with 59 tackles (No. 3 on the team) and 45 solo tackles…Also registered his first career sack and INT while also recording 3½ tackles for a loss and five passes defensed…Tallied six-plus tackles in six games…Missed one game due to injury (at Indiana, Oct. 29)…Totaled six tackles (five solo), including his first career sack when he took down QB Trace McSorley at the PSU 13-yard line for a loss of 9 yards on third-and-8, forcing a punt late in the second quarter at Penn State (Oct. 8)…Posted a career-best 11 tackles (five solo) at Nebraska (Nov. 19), marking his second straight week with double-digit tackles…Posted his first career INT as well as three solo tackles and a pass defensed vs. Boston College (Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 26)…Freshman season (2015): Saw action in 10 games with one start and tallied 12 tackles (11 solo)…Made his first career start in the season finale and registered a season-best five tackles (all solo) at Rutgers (Nov. 28).
PERSONAL: Given name Darnell Henry Savage Jr. …Born in Salsbury, Md. …Good friend and college teammate D.J. Moore plays wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers…He and Moore, who was drafted in the first round (No. 21 overall) in 2018, were the first Maryland players to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in back-to-back years since Merriman (No. 12 overall in 2005) and TE Vernon Davis (No. 6 overall in 2006)…Switched his jersey number to No. 4 from No. 26 to follow in footsteps of former Maryland All-American cornerback William Likely III, who was a mentor to him…High school: Played offense (WR, RB, QB) and defense (S, CB) at Caravel Academy (Bear, Del.), earning all-state honors…Helped lead Caravel to the 2013 state championship…Posted 1,298 rushing yards and 13 TDs as a senior…Also added 54 tackles…Was a consensus three-star recruit…Rated the second-best player in Delaware by Rivals…Was an honor-roll student and member of the Headmaster's List…Also lettered three years in baseball…Community involvement: Signed autographs to raise money for The Salvation Army…Residence: Newark, Del.
