CB Dontay Joyner becomes latest to announce return to Maryland football in 2026

Ahmed Ghafir
22 hours ago
2 min read

Days after quarterback Malik Washington announced his return to Maryland football in 2026, Maryland football announced cornerback Dontay Joyner is set to return to the program for his second season and final in college.

Joyner, who transferred into the program from Arkansas State, led the team with eight pass breakups in 2025 while also notching a pair of interceptions, including a 67-yard pick-six in the second half against Nebraska.

Though his decision was expected, it marks a key piece in the secondary for Maryland to build on with safety Jalen Huskey set to depart with a chance to extend the program's streak of defensive backs selected in the NFL Draft. Joyner will give Maryland a chance to extend that in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Joyner was one of eight transfers who joined the program in January 2025 where he arrived expected to step into a starting role, making an early case for the most athletic piece on the defense.

“They immediately reached out to me. Told me the things that I wanted and needed to hear as far as getting to the pro level, NFL and what I need to do to get there. From the start, it all sounded great and it really went from there,” Joyner told IBG after his transfer. “Really all of them played a big part,” citing Will Likely and Marcus Thomas as big parts of the Terps’ efforts in addition to Abdul-Rahim.

At Arkansas State, Joyner totaled 69 tackles, 45 solo, nine pass breakups and two interceptions in 24 games. Joyner's 81 defensive grade in 2024 per PFF marked the third-highest in the Sun Belt, while both of his interceptions came against Power Four opponents to materialize into a coveted portal target. Joyner will now close out his college career in College Park.

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