Just one year ago, standout kicker Chad Ryland transferred to the University of Maryland from Eastern Michigan. Now, Ryland looks to be one of the top kickers to latch on with an NFL team.

In 2022 at Maryland, the senior started in all 13 games, kicking his way to a Second Team All-Big Ten selection. He made 80% of his kicks and had a long of 53 yards — something that NFL teams took notice of.

And as the NFL Draft process comes to a close, Ryland seems to be a lock to land somewhere with an opportunity to compete for a job.

During the pre-draft process, he met with seven NFL teams, a source told The Sports Place’s Arye Pulli.

According to a source, the teams that Ryland met — the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Tennessee Titans. Those teams have shown consistent interest in him.

While not many kickers get drafted, it has become a more common thing in recent history, with teams jumping up all the way into the fourth round to grab kickers — Cade York, Browns, 2022.

Ryland seems to be among the top three kickers in this 2023 Draft Class so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him among the select few kickers picked each year.