Football

Los Angeles Chargers GM breaks down former Maryland CB Tarheeb Still

Tarheeb Still became the latest former Maryland star to begin his pro career after becoming a Day Three selection, coming off the board with the 137^th overall pick to the Los Angeles Chargers. Now, Maryland fans can look back at their former secondary that boasted three NFL cornerbacks and a safety, Nick Cross, preparing for his third season with the Colts.

The possibility that Maryland could be on the verge of sending multiple defensive backs to the NFL was apparent heading into the 2022 season with Nick Cross entrenched on draft boards, while Deonte Banks was already drawing interest. But for Tarheeb Still, a former three-star out of Timber Creek (NJ), he became a mainstay in the cornerback room where he thrived as a nickel before moving outside in 2023.

That versatility didn’t go unnoticed during draft weekend as Chargers GM Joe Hortiz explained his fifth-round selection.

“I mean, if you’ve seen him, if you’ve seen the highlights, I mean, he plays inside and out there. He’s played with really good corners throughout his career. He had a first rounder playing with him last year…but he started with them. Played inside and outside with them. Belonged on the same field with them. Like you couldn’t tell them apart at times. You had to find him cause you’re like, gosh, which one is that? Sometimes you were grading Tarheeb last year, thinking you’re grading someone else. He moves around, has that versatility, got that toughness, burst, explosiveness.”

Now, Still will head to Los Angeles under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh where he joins a room that features Asante Samuel Jr. and Ja’Sir Taylor.

“I would just say that the moment was everything. I have my family here, hanging around. Waiting for that call, we didn’t know what the moment was going to be like,” Still said. “Then, the phone rang, and it said California, then I picked it up. I couldn’t be happier.”

While Still will now look to be part of a secondary that looks to improve from the NFL’s second-worst pass defense one season ago, he’ll also join former Good Counsel and Notre Dame cornerback Cam Hart in rookie minicamp.

“I think when you look at a corner, nickel flexibility is a bonus. That’s a plus. If they’re just an outside guy. That’s great. If they’re an excellent nickel, that’s great. But the guy that can do both like him, that’s something you really value,” Hortiz added.

Meanwhile, Beau Brade headlines the group of UDFA signings as he’ll stay local as he works to make the Baltimore Ravens’ 53-man roster.