Week 3 of the NFL preseason marked the final auditions for league hopefuls and Maryland football alumni to make an impression. With sights now set on the regular season, campaigns made by players throughout training camp have come to a close.
Former Terp and current Chicago Bears linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II made the most out of his given opportunity on Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The fourth-round NFL Draft selection was given his first start in the final exhibition game.
In a 29-27 win
over the Chiefs, Hyppolite recorded five total tackles, three being solo, on defense. The 23-year old has been a standout throughout training camp, the reason why he got the nod to start in Chicago’s final preseason game.
“[My biggest growth has been] getting familiar with the playbook, just knowing and understanding what I got to do at my position,” Hyppolite said. “These joint practices and preseason games have helped me out a lot.”
He said the biggest difference from the collegiate to professional level has been the attention to detail and efficiency. A missed step could mean a busted play, and too many of those while fighting for a role is costly towards making a roster.
However, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native has combated that by producing 16 tackles with 12 of them being solo efforts. Despite a solid preseason, Hyppolite said he’s not worried about the upcoming roster cuts and will instead keep his faith throughout the process.
“It’s all in God’s hands. All I got to do is my job to the best of my abilities, and everything will take care of itself,” Hyppolite said. “I’m confident in what I’m doing … I’m focused on being better each and every day.”
If and when Hyppolite makes the roster, he would make his regular season debut against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football Sept. 8.
Rest of the 2025 class and undrafted player notes
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton did not play against the Tennessee Titans on Friday due to arm soreness. He left practice on Wednesday with an arm injury, but it wasn’t deemed serious. The third round pick caught four passes for 46 yards and had 57 yards on kick returns in two preseason games.
Wide receiver Kaden Prather on Aug. 20 was placed on waivers by the Buffalo Bills and went unclaimed. He was then reverted back to the team’s injured reserve. The seventh-round pick battled a hamstring injury during training camp and only appeared in one game against the Chicago Bears on Aug. 17.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips made a tackle against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. The fifth-round pick finished preseason with eight tackles and one and a half sacks.
Safety Dante Trader Jr., did not play against the Jaguars. He dealt with a soft tissue injury last week. The fifth rounder appeared in one preseason game against the Bears on Aug. 16 and made one tackle.
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote made three total tackles with one assist against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday. The seventh-round pick made four tackles in three preseason games.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Glen Miller made four tackles against the Bears on Friday. The undrafted rookie made five total tackles this preseason.
Undrafted rookie center Josh Kaltenberger started for the Los Angeles Chargers against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. He saw action in all four preseason games and was listed as the third center on the team’s depth chart.
Other Maryland alumni who played this past weekend
- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones caught four passes for 41 yards against the Tennessee Titans. With open reps in Minnesota’s receiver room still up for grabs, Jones finished with 100 receiving yards this preseason.
- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett started against the New York Jets on Friday. Bennett has been competing for the team’s second corner starting spot. He had five tackles versus the Jets.
- Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore caught one pass for 14 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.
- Steelers guard Spencer Anderson saw action against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. Having played in all preseason games, he remains a part of the second-team line.
- Tight end Chig Okonkwo for the Tennessee Titans did not record a catch but saw time on Friday against the Vikings.
- Jaelyn Duncan saw preseason action for the Tennessee Titans against the Vikings. He remained listed as a second-string right tackle.
- Baltimore Ravens safety Beau Brade had four tackles on Saturday against the Washington Commanders.
- Offensive lineman Corey Bullock started at right guard for the Ravens against the Commanders. He is currently listed as a third string center but continues to turn heads to make the 53-man roster.
- Defensive end Durell Nchami made an assisted tackle for the Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
- Buccaneers wideout Rakim Jarrett did not catch a pass on three targets against the Buffalo Bills. Jarrett will still have an opportunity to make the 53-man roster with an injury in the Bucs receiver room.
- Las Vegas Raiders right tackle DJ Glaze hit the field against the Arizona Cardinals. While the team is sorting out personnel on its offensive line for a third consecutive week, Glaze is listed as a starter at tackle.
- Gottlieb Ayedze saw time on the field against the Cardinals. The Raiders’ offensive lineman is listed as a third-string left guard.
- Kicker Chad Ryland converted two field goals and two extra points for the Arizona Cardinals against the Raiders.
- Defensive end Sam Okuayinonu for the San Francisco 49ers started against the Chargers on Saturday. This was his first game of the preseason after returning from a groin injury.
- Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still saw action against the 49ers. Last week his defensive coordinator Jesse Minter mentioned Still as a starting caliber player in his defense and is in the mix for the job.
- Linebacker Josh Woods for the Atlanta Falcons made a solo tackle against the Cowboys. He made a total of seven this preseason.
Additional news
- New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks did not play against the New England Patriots on Thursday. Banks is still competing for a starting job and missed the last two games due to an injury.
- Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross remained out due to a hip injury Friday against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, during practice last week he began running activities and change of direction drills to try and be ready for Week 1 of the regular season.
- New York Jets defensive tackle Byron Cowart remained out with an ankle injury against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. The Jets have added two defensive linemen this past week due to injuries. Cowart was expected to play a key role in the team’s line rotation.
- Carolina Panthers tight end Tyler Mabry was placed on injured reserve for a hamstring injury on Aug. 18.
- Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still did not play against the 49ers. However, last week his defensive coordinator Jesse Minter mentioned Still as a starting caliber player in his defense and is in the mix for the job.
Veterans Stefon Diggs, Ty Johnson and Darnell Savage Jr. all sat out due to rest in the final week of preseason.
The NFL will have an annual team roster cut deadline from 90 to 53 players on Aug. 26. Following that date is the season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles to start Week 1 of Thursday Night Football on Sept. 4.
