Two Maryland standouts are heading to the NFL’s biggest pre-draft stage, as offensive lineman Alan Herron and safety Jalen Huskey have officially received invitations to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. The event, which runs from Feb. 23 to March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, serves as a critical proving ground for prospects looking to boost their draft stock - and both Terps have compelling cases to make.
This marks another strong checkpoint for Maryland under head coach Mike Locksley. The program has now sent 18 players to the combine over the past four years, with 13 Terps selected in the NFL Draft since 2023. That includes six players taken in 2025 - Maryland’s highest single-draft total since 1986 - a clear signal that the Terps are becoming a reliable talent pipeline for the league.
Alan Herron: From D-II to NFL Eyes
Herron’s journey to this point is as impressive as it is unconventional. The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle began his college career at Division II Shorter University in Georgia before transferring to Maryland, where he quickly became a fixture on the offensive line. Over the past two seasons, he started all 24 games at right tackle and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2025.
But it wasn’t just his durability or accolades that caught the attention of scouts - it was the performance of the line he anchored. Maryland allowed just nine sacks all season, tied for fifth-fewest in the nation and second in the Big Ten.
Herron’s blend of size, length, and smooth movement has evaluators intrigued, especially as teams look for developmental tackles with upside. His January appearances at both the Senior Bowl and the American Bowl All-Star Game gave scouts an extended look at his skillset against top-tier talent - and he held his own.
Herron will get his turn at the combine on Sunday, March 1, when offensive linemen take the field. Expect his movement drills and testing numbers to draw close attention. In today’s NFL, teams are always hunting for athletic tackles who can protect the edge - and Herron has a chance to show he fits that mold.
Jalen Huskey: Ballhawk with Versatility
On the other side of the ball, Jalen Huskey brings a different kind of intrigue. The Gaithersburg native capped off his Maryland career with a strong 2025 season, earning second team All-Big Ten honors. He started 11 of 12 games, tied for the team lead with four interceptions, and added 72 tackles - the second-most on the team and sixth among all Big Ten defensive backs.
Huskey’s production helped Maryland post its highest team interception total since 2010, and his ability to contribute both in coverage and in run support made him a key piece of the Terps’ defense. He’s not just a center fielder - he’s a do-it-all safety who can line up in multiple spots and impact the game in a variety of ways.
He’ll take the field at the combine on Friday, Feb. 27, with the defensive backs. For Huskey, the focus will be on his speed, fluidity, and change-of-direction ability - all key traits for safeties in today’s pass-heavy league. He’s already shown he can produce on the field, but the combine gives him a chance to confirm the athletic traits that could elevate him on draft boards.
Huskey also made an impression at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January, where he continued to build momentum with NFL evaluators. Between his instincts, production, and versatility, he’s shaping up as one of the more intriguing safety prospects in this class.
The Terps’ NFL Pipeline Keeps Flowing
Maryland’s recent draft success is more than just a flash - it’s becoming a trend. The Terps have had multiple offensive linemen and defensive backs selected in recent years, including a four-year run of having at least one DB drafted. Herron and Huskey are now in position to keep that streak alive when the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
For both players, the combine is more than just a showcase - it’s a statement opportunity. Herron can prove he’s more than just a small-school transfer story.
Huskey can show he’s more than just a productive college safety. With the spotlight on them in Indianapolis, both have the chance to solidify their names among the next wave of Terps making the leap to the NFL.