Terps in the NFL: 2026 Season Preview
9/1/2026 4:34:00 PM | Football
The dawn of a new NFL season is upon us and the sun is rising on nearly two dozen Pro Terps who are ready for the spotlight in 2026. A total of 24 former Maryland football players - rookies and an abundance of vets - have spent the offseason preparing to make NFL rosters and compete on Sundays. Now, as another NFL season kicks off next week, they'll continue to make Terrapin alums and fans proud, while continuing to build upon Maryland's pipeline of sending players to the league.
Let's meet this year's cast of Pro Terps!
PS-Practice Squad | IR-Injured Reserve
Let's meet this year's cast of Pro Terps!
The Rookie
Maryland defensive back Jalen Huskey was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Maryland has now had a player drafted in nine consecutive NFL Drafts and in 30 of the last 32 drafts overall.
Jalen Huskey - DB (Jaguars)
Huskey became Maryland's eighth defensive back selected in the past eight NFL Drafts. Huskey was drafted by Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round as pick No. 100 in April. Huskey was a 2025 Second-Team All-Big Ten Selection and tied for fourth in the Big Ten and 16th nationally with four interceptions in 12 games played in 2025. He also produced 72 tackles, the sixth most in the conference by a defensive back. He ranked sixth among all Big Ten safeties in 2025 in total defense grade per Pro Football Focus. (83.6; min. 100 snaps)𝐉𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 🐢🏈🧬
— Maryland Terrapins (@umterps) April 23, 2026
The Terps have had seven defensive backs selected in the @NFLDraft since 2019. The Maryland native has followed that lineage and looks to continue the pipeline at the next level.
Read more: https://t.co/v95PPiR4vk pic.twitter.com/TcSx0E4Wmk
The Vets
Stefon Diggs - WR (Commanders)
Former Terp Stefon Diggs enters his 12th NFL season with a new team, the Washington Commanders. After helping the New England Patriots reach the Super Bowl in 2025, Diggs recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns while serving as one of the team's veteran leaders. He has now surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in seven of the last eight seasons.DIGGS (back) IN DC pic.twitter.com/stUjgxQyvg
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 7, 2026
D.J. Moore - WR (Bills)
DJ Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills this offseason. Moore enters his ninth NFL season with more than 8,000 career receiving yards and over 500 rushing yards. One of the league's most durable receivers, he has appeared in all 17 regular-season games in each of the last five seasons.A dime to DJ ‼️ pic.twitter.com/FSQje6vqSJ
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 9, 2026
Josh Woods - LB (Falcons)
Woods returns to the Atlanta Falcons after earning a spot on the team's active roster. The veteran linebacker appeared in 12 games for Atlanta in 2025, recording 14 tackles while contributing primarily on special teams.Chig Okonkwo - TE (Commanders)
Okonkwo has joined the Washington Commanders after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans. The tight end is coming off a career year in 2025, setting personal bests with 56 receptions, 560 receiving yards and 12 starts while adding two touchdowns.CHIG ‼️ pic.twitter.com/tUMbip0P6L
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 4, 2026
Nick Cross - S (Commanders)
Cross enters his fifth NFL season signing with the Washington Commanders after spending the previous four years with the Indianapolis Colts. During his time in Indianapolis, Cross appeared in 67 games, including starts in all 17 contests over each of the last two seasons. He totaled 304 tackles, five interceptions, 12 passes defended, and 3.5 sacks with the Colts.One player I think is going to have an immediate impact on this #Commanders defense?
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) April 30, 2026
Nick Cross 🔥
(🎥:v8lone) pic.twitter.com/10ijeXNnxy
Sam Okuayinonu - DL (49ers)
Okuayinonu returns to the San Francisco 49ers following a productive 2025 season. The defensive lineman appeared in 15 games with 12 starts, totaling 39 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble.
Sam Okuayinonu gets our 2nd sack of the night!
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 4, 2026
📺: ESPN
NFL+// https://t.co/Zkva0Y3QRR pic.twitter.com/lC0sDZm9kt
Ty Johnson - RB (Bills)
Johnson returns to the Buffalo Bills for his fourth season with the team. In 2025, the versatile running back recorded 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 263 yards and two scores.TY JOHNSON. 52-YARD BILLS TD.
— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025
TBvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/kOp6jw3lGq
The Up-And-Comers
Tarheeb Still - DB (Chargers)
Still enters his third season with the Los Angeles Chargers after making an immediate impact as a rookie in 2024. A fifth round NFL Draft selection, Still appeared in 14 games with 12 starts, recording 62 tackles—including 45 solo stops—10 pass breakups, four interceptions, a pick-six and half a sack.
REMINDER TO NOT THROW AT TARHEEB STILL 🔒 pic.twitter.com/pDpoV4iBmu
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) May 21, 2025
Chad Ryland - K (Cardinals)
Ryland returns to the Arizona Cardinals following his second season with the organization. In 2025, he converted 25 of 33 field-goal attempts, including a season-long 57-yarder, and was perfect on all 36 extra-point attempts.
Chad Ryland is good from 56!
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 14, 2026
📲 NFL+ pic.twitter.com/6antqjqVLV
Jakorian Bennett- DB (Eagles)
Bennett returns to the Philadelphia Eagles for his second season with the organization. Despite an injury-limited 2025 campaign, the defensive back appeared in 11 games with one start, recording seven tackles and one pass defended.
Spencer Anderson - OL (Steelers)
Anderson enters his fourth season with the Pittsburgh Steelers after taking on an expanded role along the offensive line. Anderson appeared in all 17 games in 2025 and made a career-high seven starts. Deonte Banks - DB (Giants)
Banks enters his fourth season with the New York Giants. The cornerback appeared in 16 games with six starts in 2025, recording 31 tackles and five passes defended.DEONTE BANKS 95-YARD KICK RETURN TD!
— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2025
NYGvsLV on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/HKkCBiWVLl
DJ Glaze - OL (Raiders)
Glaze returns to the Las Vegas Raiders after establishing himself as a fixture along the offensive line. The offensive tackle started all 17 games in 2025 and has now made 31 starts over his first two NFL seasons.Tai Felton - WR (Vikings)
Felton enters his second season with the Minnesota Vikings after appearing in all 17 games as a rookie. The wide receiver caught three passes for 25 yards in 2025 while also contributing on special teams.
J.J. McCarthy goes DEEP to Tai Felton!
— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cvO0UUGoCb
Jordan Phillips - DL (Dolphins)
Phillips enters his second season with the Miami Dolphins after starting 16 games as a rookie. The defensive tackle appeared in all 17 contests in 2025 and finished the season with 34 tackles.
🎥 Jeff Hafley speaks HIGHLY of Jordan Phillips, naming him one of the toughest players he's coached:
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 3, 2026
"He is one of the toughest, most physical, most driven guys that I've been around… I love the guy, I love his attitude, I love his mentality. (@MiamiDolphins) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/gl4ECV5dql
Dante Trader Jr - SS (Dolphins)
Trader Jr. enters his second season with the Miami Dolphins after a strong rookie campaign. The safety appeared in all 17 games in 2025, making three starts and totaling 55 tackles, one pass defended, one interception and one forced fumble.Dante Trader Jr. on the tackle for loss...Very nice tackle. pic.twitter.com/wIwOCf39Ia
— Jason Sarney - Dolphins Wire (@Jason_Sarney) August 29, 2026
Corey Bullock - OT (Panthers)
Corey Bullock joined the Panthers after spending last year with the Baltimore Ravens. The young offensive lineman will look to make his mark with Carolina in 2026.looking to make their mark
Four Terps - OL Josh Kaltenberger (Chargers), OL Gottlieb Ayedze (Dolphins), OL Alan Herron (Saints), DT Byron Coward (Commanders) - all start the season on their teams practice squads. They'll practice with their teams in hopes of joining the 53-man active roster at some point during the 2026 season. LB Ruben Hyppolite II (Bears) and WR Jeshaun Jones (Vikings) start the year on their teams reserve list.
Full List of Terps in the NFL
| OG Spencer Anderson | Steelers (4th year) |
| OT Gottlieb Ayedze | Dolphins (2nd year) - PS |
| DB Deonte Banks
|
Giants (4th year) |
| DB Jakorian Bennett | Giants (4th year) - IR |
| OL Corey Bullock | Panthers (2nd year) - PS |
| DT Byron Cowart | Commanders (6th year) - PS |
| S Nick Cross | Commanders (5th year) |
| WR Stefon Diggs | Commanders (12th year) |
| WR Tai Felton | Vikings (2nd year) |
| OT DJ Glaze | Raiders (3rd year) |
| OT Alan Herron | Bears (Rookie, Undrafted) |
| S Jalen Huskey | Jaguars (Rookie, 3rd round) |
| LB Ruben Hyppolite II | Bears (Rookie, 4th round) - PS |
| RB Ty Johnson | Bills (8th year) |
| WR Jeshaun Jones | Vikings (2nd year) |
| C Josh Kaltenberger | Chargers (2nd year) - PS |
| WR DJ Moore | Bills (9th year) |
| TE Chig Okonkwo
|
Commanders (5th year) |
| DE Sam Okuayinonu
|
49ers (4th year) - IR |
| DT Jordan Phillips
|
Dolphins (2nd year) |
| K Chad Ryland | Cardinals (4th year) |
| CB Tarheeb Still | Chargers (3rd year) |
| S Dante Trader Jr. | Dolphins (2nd year) |
| LB Josh Woods | Falcons (7th year) - PS |
PS-Practice Squad | IR-Injured Reserve
Players Mentioned
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