With accomplished careers at SMU behind them and NFL aspirations ahead, RJ Maryland, Matthew Hibner, Ahmaad Moses and Jordan Hudson took part in the 2026 NFL Combine from Feb. 26-Mar. 2.
Maryland and Moses spent their entire careers at SMU, whereas Hudson and Hibner transferred later on. All four played a key role in SMU’s success since joining the ACC. Now, the four Mustangs seek to play professionally, with the first step in their journey being the NFL Combine.
The NFL Combine is a five-day event in Indianapolis, Indiana, that allows players to speak with NFL teams and work out in front of coaches and scouts. The combine measures players’ skills, strength, athleticism and personality and is a key determinant of draft order.
As tight ends, Maryland and Hibner were the first two Mustangs to do their drills. Maryland ran his 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, the second-fastest amongst all tight ends. According to his combine stat breakdown, Maryland earned the seventh-best athleticism score for a tight end.
“[Maryland] has the catch radius and body adjustments to make spectacular catches, but he needs to bring in contested tries at a higher rate,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in Maryland’s draft analysis.
Maryland, whose dad Russell Maryland was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, entered SMU as a four-star prospect. He scored 13 touchdowns in his first two seasons, but after a strong start to 2024, he tore his ACL. Maryland still chose to play in 2025, becoming the all-time SMU leader in receiving yards with 1,485, but his recovery slowed him down.
After Maryland tore his ACL in game seven of 2024, Hibner began to take the bulk of the snaps at tight end. Hibner joined SMU in 2024 after four years at Michigan, quickly becoming a favorite target of quarterback Kevin Jennings.
At the combine, the sixth-year senior ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and led his position with 28 bench press reps, earning the sixth-best athleticism score amongst tight ends. His official NFL analysis stated his size may hold him back in the draft, but SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee has been campaigning for Hibner to be drafted as early as November 2025.
“Matt Hibner is an NFL player,” Lashlee said after SMU’s win over Louisville on Nov. 22, 2025.
Moses, a safety, also did his workout on day two of the combine. The long-time Mustang had a career year in 2025, leading SMU with five interceptions and 104 tackles, earning All-ACC First Team honors. Moses was responsible for one of the biggest plays of the year, jumping in front of a Miami receiver to intercept Carson Beck in overtime of SMU’s historic win over the future National Championship participants.
The five-foot-nine-inch safety showed off his elite athleticism and hands at the combine, scoring the second-best production score for a safety. His draft analysis compliments his range and quick reaction time despite his size.
“He’s squatty and short-limbed, but he plays with good instincts and quick response times,” Zierlien said.
Hudson was the last of the Mustangs to go, completing drills on Saturday. The TCU transfer, who recorded 18 touchdowns and 1,613 receiving yards in three years at SMU, received a prospect score of 6.00, the highest of the four Mustangs at the combine.
In his combine press conference, Hudson gave a confident statement to NFL general managers.
“Do you want a dawg or not?” Hudson said. “I’m an animal on the field.”
Entering the combine, the four players were outside of the top 257 ranked prospects, according to CBS Sports, placing them on the outside looking in for the draft.
In 2025, former SMU edge rusher Elijah Roberts and running back Brashard Smith were drafted in the fifth and seventh rounds, respectively. In total, 11 Mustangs have been drafted in the last 10 years, and 21 currently play in the NFL.
Moses said going to SMU and being in Dallas had a positive impact on his career aspirations at his combine press conference.
“Great city, great connections,” Moses said. “Best city in the country. Just being in Dallas was a great experience for me.”
The NFL Draft starts Thursday, Apr. 25, at 7 p.m. ET and will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
