The Miami Dolphins drafted a pair of Maryland Terrapins in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft this past April. According to Maryland head coach Mike Locksley, the Dolphins got a pair of tremendous leaders in safety Dante Trader Jr. and defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.
“Here in our program we really do encourage our players to learn to be pros as quickly as they can,” Locksley told Travis Wingfield on the Dolphins’ “Drive Time” podcast. “We define being a professional as, it’s 24/7 as opposed to a job, which is eight hours, nine to five, whatever that eight-hour window is.” Locksley continued, “Both those guys were 24/7 guys you know from a recovery standpoint, understanding the way to take care of their bodies, proper sleep, morning routines, you know, with guys like Dante and Jordan they both were early risers, that studied the game.”
Trader, who was even more recruited in the college ranks for his lacrosse skills, has the “it” factor that a defense needs, according to Locksley.
“There’s no doubt [about] Dante and his aptitude and his football intelligence,” Locksley said. “He was a guy that, if you can teach it, then you can execute it. And he’s one of those guys that I see all the time grabbing the young safeties, the young corners and imparting the wisdom that he gained from not just his successes but failures as well as a young player.”