Maryland football safety Messiah Delhome tabbed Big Ten sophomore to watch in 2026

Ahmed Ghafir
May 28
2 min read

Maryland football has officially hit the 100 day mark until the 2026 season begins after the program announced TV and kickoff details for the upcoming non-conference slate, featuring a primetime slot in the much-anticipated week three matchup against Virginia Tech.

While the attention has now shifted toward high school recruiting with Thursday marking the first day of official visits, Big Ten media days is quickly approaching with fall camp just two months away with all eyes on a hopeful bounceback season powered behind the second-most returning production across FBS. Yet one rising contributor was highlighted in an overview of the Big Ten: safety Messiah Delhomme.

"Delhomme continued on the path of being an impact player this spring. He's someone those around the Maryland program believe will be a huge contributor as a sophomore," Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports wrote while adding a source told him the Virginia native "definitely got a shot to be a future NFL guy."

The Virginia native has stepped in seamlessly into the starting role, which has been the plan since the blue-chip prospect first arrived in College Park. After playing in every game and starting in one due to injury, Delhomme became a staple along the backline where he rounded out the depth behind now Jaguars safety Jalen Huskey. Delhomme spent the spring preparing for the increased role on the backline alongside veteran Lavain Scruggs with the former four-star proving himself as a ballhawk.

Though he's an expected impact piece in a secondary that features multiple fuutre NFL draft prospects alongside cornerbacks Dontay Joyner, Jamare Glasker and Amari Jackson, Delhomme made his mark on special teams early during his freshman season.

Delhomme blocked his first punt in the season opening win against Towson, notching the first by the program since Matt Canada was the interim head coach, before doing it again in the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin to become one of 11 players nationally with two blocked kicks during the 2025 season.

The Virginia native made his decision early in the offseason to return for a second season with ample confidence around Maryland's chances of retaining Jaylen Gilchrist, Delhomme, CJ Smith and Trey Reddick.

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