Jalen Huskey Set to Showcase Talents at East-West Shrine Bowl
FRISCO, TX - Jalen Huskey is heading into one of the biggest opportunities of his football journey so far. The former Maryland defensive back is suiting up for the West Team in Tuesday night's East-West Shrine Bowl, held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with national coverage on NFL Network.
This isn’t just another exhibition game. The Shrine Bowl, now in its 101st year, is a proving ground for NFL hopefuls - a stage where draft stock can rise or fall with every snap. And for Huskey, it’s a chance to show scouts exactly what made him one of the most impactful defenders in the Big Ten this past season.
Wearing No. 32 for the West, Huskey enters the game fresh off a standout senior campaign at Maryland. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by both the media and coaches, and it’s not hard to see why. He played in all 12 games, starting 11, and was a key piece of a Maryland defense that racked up more interceptions than any Terps unit since 2010.
Huskey’s own stat line tells a story of consistency and playmaking. He picked off four passes - good enough to tie for the team lead, fourth in the Big Ten, and 16th nationally.
But he wasn’t just a ballhawk. His 72 total tackles were second-most on the team and sixth among all defensive backs in the conference, showing his ability to come downhill and make plays in the run game as well.
That versatility - the ability to cover in space, read quarterbacks, and deliver hits in the open field - is exactly what NFL teams are looking for in today’s hybrid defensive backs. Huskey has shown he can be that guy.
His leadership off the field didn’t go unnoticed either. At Maryland’s annual team banquet, he was named Defensive Player of the Year, and his teammates voted him one of three permanent team captains. That kind of respect in the locker room speaks volumes, especially to NFL front offices looking for players who can be culture-setters at the next level.
If Huskey hears his name called on draft weekend, he’ll become the fifth straight Maryland defensive back to be selected - a testament to both his individual talent and the program’s growing reputation for developing NFL-ready secondary players.
Tuesday night is more than just a game for Huskey. It’s a spotlight, a stage, and a statement. And if his college career is any indication, he’ll be ready to make the most of it.