Several Terps ink UDFA deals following 2026 NFL Draft

Ahmed Ghafir
11 hours ago
3 min read

Jalen Huskey became the seventh defensive back out of Maryland to be drafted since 2020 after the Jacksonville Jaguars made him the final selection on day two of the 2026 NFL Draft. He wasn't the only one to become an NFL player though after a trio of Terps and several former Terps also inked deals as undrafted free agents this weekend, including all three starting wide receivers.

WR Shaleak Knotts agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings, his agent told IBG on Saturday. Knotts now heads to Minnesota alongside several familiar faces in Tai Felton and Jeshaun Jones as the former four-star out of North Carolina looks to make an impression. After flashing as a junior, Knotts finally got a chance at an elevated role in 2025 where he posted 717 yards and six touchdowns on 44 catches. He dazzled to open the season after recording five touchdowns through September.

WRs Jalil Farooq and Octavian Smith, meanwhile, won't have to travel far after Smith inked with the Baltimore Ravens quickly after the NFL Draft, a source confirmed to IBG on Saturday. After drawing intrigue as a cornerback prospect and shining at quarterback, Paint Branch grad was a mainstay in the wide receiver rotation during his four seasons in College Park. Smith, missing just one game in college, recorded his first touchdown in the Mayo Bowl win over NC State in 2022 to end his freshman season before starting in 21 games his final two seasons and combined for 844 yards and two touchdowns on 73 catches.

Smith's 107 career catches rank 17th most in program history.

Farooq's signing materialized late Sunday evening as the Oklahoma transfer stepped into the starting rotation during his lone season with the program.

Meanwhile, after drawing a top-30 visit the week after Maryland's Pro Day, offensive lineman Alan Herron signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. The former DII-Shorter transfer became a big commitment for Maryland after flipping from Penn State to Maryland where he became a mainstay along the starting rotation over his final two seasons in college.

Herron, who joined safety Jalen Huskey at the NFL Scouting Ccombine, earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition after starting all 12 games at right tackle during the 2025 season. A native of Westmoreland, Jamaica, he anchored an offensive line that allowed just nine sacks, tied for fifth-fewest nationally and second-fewest in the Big Ten. Herron started all 24 games over his two seasons in College Park and competed in both the Panini Senior Bowl and American Bowl All-Star Game in January.

“Coming from high school to college it’s tough, especially fall camp. I always tell my guys, like the freshmen, I always tell them just remember your why, why you’re here and think about that every day. Write your goals down, stuff like that, and read it every day so you can have that momentum going into practice every day," Herron said ahead of the 2025 season.

Other Terps like wide receiver Jalil Farooq and defensive lineman Cam Rice has yet to ink with a team coming out of the weekend.

Other former Terps:

EDGE Jaishawn Barham: Dallas Cowboys (round three)
WR Nick DeGennaro: New England Patriots (UDFA)
DB Gavin Gibson: Kansas City Chiefs (UDFA)
RB Roman Hemby: Las Vegas Raiders (UDFA)
DT Darrell Jackson Jr: New York Jetes (round four)

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