Four Former Terps Currently On The Washington Commanders Roster

The Maryland Terrapins football program has produced a plethora of talent in the NFL, but one of the hometown teams has a good number of names on their Training Camp roster.

Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins team takes the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Football is almost back as a whole: college football returns in less than two weeks, and the NFL comes back on September 9th with a rematch of Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.

The Maryland Terrapins football program has a lot to be excited about: the upcoming 2026 season and talented pieces all over the roster on both sides. But at the professional level, there are many former Terps across the league on various teams looking to make an impact. It's a reflection of how the Terps consistently produce NFL-ready talent on the next level.

Currently, 25 former Maryland Terrapins football players are active in the NFL during the 2026 NFL Offseason.

15 players reign in the NFC while the other 10 are in the AFC.

However, the hometown team, the Washington Commanders, has the most Terps (4) on its roster. The players are:

• Defensive Tackle Byron Cowart (fourth tackle on the depth chart): 2019 NFL Draft 5th-159th overall

• Safety Nick Cross (starting strong safety on the depth chart): 2022 NFL Draft 3rd Round- 96th overall

• Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs (starting wideout on the depth chart): 2015 NFL Draft Pick 5th Round- 146th overall

• Tight End Chig Okonkwo (starting tight end on the depth chart): 2022 NFL Draft 4th Round- 143rd overall

Okonkwo and Cross were added during the NFL Free-Agent period as key additions to the roster. Washington general manager Adam Peters said he wanted to make the roster younger in 2026 after holding the oldest roster a season ago.

The duo was a yearly ascending talent during their first four seasons in the AFC South on the Colts and Titans, respectively. Now, Cross will bring a physical element to the defense, playing both outside, deep, and in the box. Okonkwo's athletic frame provides speed, size, and a vertical threat to an offense that lacked it outside of their number one wideout, Terry McLaurin.

Diggs was one of the latest additions that fans and the media had been predicting for months since his release from the Patriots.

Diggs now gives the offense two true No. 1-like receivers who can provide big-play ability and win one-on-one matchups. His veteran leadership will also set the example for the young receivers on the roster; it's great to see Diggs back in the DMV, where he made a name for himself all those years ago as a teen.

Cowart signed with Washington just two days ago and will provide depth to the interior defensive line following the retirement of DJ Davidson. Last season with the Chicago Bears, Cowart logged 26 tackles (14 solo) and 2.5 sacks in 15 games.

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