Standout TE RJ Maryland leads SMU into clash with ‘Tight End U’

In 2020, Sports Illustrated declared, “Stanford is the new tight end U.” Supporting this designation, SI noted that the Cardinal produced seven tight ends selected in the NFL Draft between 2010 and 2019, including unanimous All-American and three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz. 

Furthermore, shortly after SI dubbed the Cardinal ‘Tight End U,’ the Seattle Seahawks picked Stanford TE Colby Parkinson in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

In Week 8 of the 2024 CFB season, the tables are turned as ‘Tight End U’ will try to contain one of the top tight ends in the country when the Cardinal hosts the SMU Mustangs and junior TE RJ Maryland. In the offseason, Maryland was one of 48 collegiate athletes named to the Mackey Award Watch List. The award is presented annually to college football’s most outstanding tight end.