DN #74

Durell Nchami

Defensive End · Maryland

A Maryland native who fought through two season-ending injuries at Maryland before carving out a practice-squad career in the NFL.

Durell Nchami is a 6-foot-4 defensive end whose college career at Maryland was interrupted twice by major injuries before he broke out as a senior. Now with the Indianapolis Colts on a reserve/future contract, he is still chasing his first extended run on an NFL active roster.

★ Nine career sacks across 33 games at Maryland

★ Best season came in 2022 with 20 tackles and three sacks in 11 starts

Path to the league

A three-star recruit out of Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, Maryland, Nchami stayed home to play for the Terrapins. He showed promise as a freshman in 2018 with 15 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss, but season-ending injuries in 2019 and 2021 slowed his development. He went undrafted in 2023.

Career highlights

Nchami's best college season came in 2022, when he started 11 games and posted 20 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks. He finished his Maryland career with 49 tackles and nine sacks across 33 games. After going undrafted, he signed with the Denver Broncos' practice squad in December 2023.

2025 season recap

Nchami spent the 2025 season working to earn a foothold with Indianapolis after joining the team's practice squad in November 2024. He has yet to see extended regular-season game action in the NFL, and the Colts rewarded his development with a reserve/future contract heading into 2026.