Former Maryland football wide receivers Octavian Smith Jr. and Jalil Farooq’s path to the 2026 NFL Draft will begin at the Hula Bowl. The pair of seniors were announced Saturday as participants in the game,
which will take place at Spec Martin Municipal Stadium in DeLand, Florida on Jan. 10, 2026.
2025 was the best statistical season of Smith’s career, one in which he stuck by Maryland through plenty of turmoil and turnover over his four seasons. He finished as Maryland’s third-leading receiver, with 43 receptions for 529 yards — but was held out of the endzone.
Farooq — a Maryland native — transferred from Oklahoma to the Terps for his senior season. While he ended up as Maryland’s second-leading receiver, it felt like an underwhelming campaign for Farooq. He struggled with drops and never translated his athleticism into standout numbers, finishing with 58 receptions for 545 yards and four touchdowns along with handling some punt return duties.
Farooq does possess NFL-caliber athletic traits, as does Smith to a certain extent. Both could turn into Day 3 draft options with strong Hula Bowl showings and testing numbers.
Nine 2025 Hula Bowl participants were drafted, including former Terp Ruben Hyppolite II, Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop and Detroit Lions wideout Isaac TeSlaa.
In other news
Maryland men’s basketball led No. 23 Virginia by as much as eight points in the first half, but couldn’t overcome sloppiness in an 80-72 loss Saturday night in Charlottesville. Matt Germack recapped the game and Nolan Rogalski gave his takeaways.
No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball hosted over 13,000 elementary and middle school students Friday at Xfinity Center for Field Trip Day against Central Connecticut State, contributing to the largest collegiate women’s basketball crowd in the country this season. The Terps defeated the Blue Devils, 98-30, and caused an all-time crowd pop when they reached the 67-point mark. Ben Messinger had the game story and Max Schaeffer gave his takeaways.
Maryland women’s basketball guard Bri McDaniel will remain sidelined with an injury for the remainder of the season. Max Schaeffer had the story.
Maryland women’s lacrosse stars Kori Edmondson and Kayla Gilmore will participate in the United States national team’s January training camp.
2027 four-star guard TJ Jamison will take an official visit to Maryland men’s basketball on Jan. 2, 2026.
Former Maryland baseball infielder Brandon Lowe was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
