Two of Maryland football’s offensive weapons are getting a chance to turn heads on a national stage this postseason. Wide receivers Octavian Smith Jr. and Jalil Farooq have been selected to play in the 2026 Hula Bowl, set for Jan. 10 at Spec Martin Municipal Stadium in DeLand, Florida. For both players, it’s more than just an all-star showcase-it’s an opportunity to show NFL scouts what they can bring to the next level.
Let’s start with Smith, who quietly put together the most productive season of his college career in 2025. The junior wideout hauled in 43 passes for 529 yards, ranking third on the team in receptions and setting a personal best in yardage.
While he didn’t find the end zone this year, Smith’s consistency and ability to stretch the field didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, he became just the fifth Maryland receiver since 2000 to record back-to-back 100-yard games-a feat that puts him in elite company alongside Stefon Diggs, Torrey Smith, Dontay Demus Jr., and Tai Felton.
The highlight stretch came midseason, when Smith posted a six-catch, 113-yard performance against Wisconsin, following it up with 103 yards against Towson. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of steady development over three years in College Park, something head coach Mike Locksley pointed to even before the season began.
“He’s a guy that has kind of followed along that Tai Felton path,” Locksley said. “As a freshman, he contributed. Year two, his catches went up, his numbers went up, his reliability went up… Now, he’s the guy that’s kind of the old man in the room, and I like what I’m seeing out of Octavian.”
Smith’s route-running, hands, and football IQ have made him a reliable target in Maryland’s offense, and the Hula Bowl gives him a platform to showcase those skills against top-tier competition.
Farooq’s path to the Hula Bowl has been a bit different. A Maryland native who transferred in from Oklahoma ahead of the 2025 season, Farooq arrived with high expectations-and a sizable NIL deal to match. He was expected to be the Terps’ go-to receiver, and while he didn’t quite hit that WR1 level, he still delivered a solid final collegiate campaign.
Farooq led the team in receptions with 58, totaled 545 yards, and found the end zone four times. He also contributed in the return game, bringing added value on special teams.
But the season wasn’t without its challenges. Drops were a recurring issue, and while Farooq’s athleticism was evident, it didn’t always translate into the kind of explosive plays Maryland fans were hoping for.
Still, his overall production and versatility make him an intriguing prospect heading into the pre-draft process. The Hula Bowl gives Farooq a valuable chance to reassert himself as a dynamic playmaker and clean up some of the inconsistencies that showed up on tape.
And there’s good reason for optimism. The Hula Bowl has become a legitimate springboard for players looking to boost their draft stock.
Just last year, nine participants from the 2025 game were selected in the NFL Draft, including former Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II. The year before that, receiver Jeshaun Jones and cornerback JaQuan Sheppard used the game to put themselves on the radar.
For Smith and Farooq, this is a moment to make a statement-not just as college standouts, but as future pros. With scouts watching closely, a strong showing in DeLand could be the difference between a late-round flyer and a real shot at carving out an NFL career.