Tarheeb Still is an American professional football cornerback and punt returner for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 9, 2002, in Sicklerville, New Jersey, he played college football for the Maryland Terrapins from 2020 to 2023. Still was drafted in the fifth round with the 137th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chargers. He has established himself as a versatile defensive back with strong ball skills and playmaking ability. Throughout his rookie season with the Chargers, Still demonstrated his ability to create turnovers and make impactful plays in crucial moments.
Tarheeb Still Bio
Tarheeb Still is a professional football player who has made his mark in the NFL as a cornerback and punt returner. His journey from a high school athlete in New Jersey to an NFL player reflects his dedication and consistent improvement throughout his football career. Known for his instincts in coverage and ability to read quarterbacks, Still has quickly become a valuable member of the Chargers’ secondary. His collegiate career at Maryland showcased his development from a freshman contributor to an All-Big Ten performer, setting the foundation for his professional success.
Early Life and Background
Tarheeb Still grew up in Sicklerville, New Jersey, where he attended Timber Creek Regional High School. At Timber Creek, he lettered in three sports: football, basketball, and track and field, demonstrating his athletic versatility from an early age. During his high school football career, Still earned the Defensive Back MVP award at the prestigious 2019 Nike Football Opening Regional-New Jersey, a notable accomplishment that highlighted his talent on the national stage.
Still set a school-wide record at Timber Creek for the most receiving yards in a single season, recording 71 catches for 1,541 yards. His outstanding high school performance earned him a three-star recruit rating. He received scholarship offers from multiple Division I programs, including West Virginia, Baylor, NC State, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Purdue, UCF, Duke, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse. Ultimately, he chose to continue his football career at the University of Maryland.
Path to Professional Football
Still arrived at the University of Maryland in 2020 as a highly anticipated freshman recruit. He quickly demonstrated his potential by earning a starting spot in the secondary. His ability to cover receivers, break on passes, and contribute in run support made him an integral part of the Terrapins’ defense from the beginning of his college career.
Throughout his four seasons at Maryland from 2020 to 2023, Still steadily improved his performance and accumulated valuable experience against high-level competition in the Big Ten Conference. His progression from a freshman starter to a team captain and All-Conference selection reflected his work ethic and football intelligence. By his senior season, he had developed into one of the top cornerbacks in the conference, attracting attention from NFL scouts and executives.
Tarheeb Still Career
College Career (2020–2023)
During his true freshman season in 2020, Still played and started all four games at cornerback. He finished the season with 20 total tackles, including 18 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles, showing early promise as a reliable defender in the Terrapins’ secondary.
In the 2021 season, Still elevated his game significantly. He appeared in and started all 13 games at cornerback, recording 55 total tackles with 40 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles. He also contributed 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 11 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, and a touchdown. During the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl against Virginia Tech, Still returned a punt for a touchdown, providing Maryland’s first points in the game. This playmaking ability became a hallmark of his collegiate career.
During the 2022 season, Still appeared in 12 games and started 10 of them. He recorded 45 total tackles with 35 solo tackles and 10 assisted tackles, along with 4 tackles for loss and 1 interception. His strong performance earned him Second-team All-Big Ten honors. He was also named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List, recognizing his dual-threat ability as both a defender and returner. In his senior season during 2023, Still recorded 32 solo tackles, 2 pass deflections, and a career-high 5 interceptions. This impressive showing resulted in Third-team All-Big Ten recognition. He declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on December 4, 2023, concluding his Maryland career as one of the program’s most accomplished defensive backs.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
Still was selected 137th overall in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers. The selection reflected the Chargers’ confidence in his abilities and potential to contribute at the professional level. He joined a Chargers team looking to rebuild its secondary with young, athletic talent.
In his rookie season, Still made an immediate impact. Against the Atlanta Falcons on December 1, 2024, he recorded two interceptions, including one that he returned 61 yards for a touchdown. This marked the first defensive touchdown of his NFL career and showcased his playmaking ability on the biggest stage. He finished his rookie season with 115 total tackles, 17 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, and a half sack, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the Chargers’ secondary.
Playing Style and Strengths
Still is known for his exceptional ball skills and ability to read quarterbacks’ intentions. His instincts in coverage allow him to break on passes and create turnovers at critical moments. He demonstrates solid tackling technique and is comfortable defending both the run and the pass. His experience as a punt returner adds special teams value, making him a versatile asset for the Chargers. His combination of size, speed, and intelligence enables him to match up against various receiver types in the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
The standout moment of Still’s rookie season came in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons when he recorded his first career multi-interception game. His 61-yard interception return for a touchdown demonstrated his ability to change the outcome of games with his playmaking ability. This performance served as a preview of the impact he hopes to make throughout his NFL career.
Tarheeb Still Career Statistics
Still has accumulated impressive statistics through his rookie NFL season, demonstrating his ability to contribute as both a defender and playmaker. His college career provided a strong foundation, with his interception totals continuing to grow at the professional level. His tackle numbers and pass deflections reflect his consistency and reliability in the Chargers’ secondary.
NFL Career Highlights
In his rookie NFL season with the Chargers in 2024, Still established himself with 115 total tackles, 17 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions. His first career defensive touchdown came on a 61-yard interception return against Atlanta. His rookie statistics compare favorably to other first-year cornerbacks, suggesting a promising trajectory for his professional career.
College Career Highlights
At Maryland from 2020 to 2023, Still appeared in 41 games and started 37 of them. His senior season in 2023 featured a career-high 5 interceptions. He earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and Third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2023. His 2021 Pinstripe Bowl punt return touchdown provided one of the memorable moments of his collegiate career.
| Competition | Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2024) | 115 | 4 | 17 | 1 |
| College (2020–2023) | 145 | 6 | 13 | 1 |
2025 Season Performance
As Still enters his second NFL season in 2025, he looks to build upon his successful rookie campaign. With a full offseason to refine his technique and deepen his understanding of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s system, he is positioned to take on an expanded role within the Chargers’ secondary. His performance during organized team activities and minicamp has shown increased confidence and comfort in his responsibilities.
The Chargers coaching staff has noted Still’s development and work ethic during the offseason program. His ability to create turnovers remains a valuable asset as the team looks to improve its takeaway differential. The addition of new defensive schemes and better communication among the secondary should help reduce big plays allowed. Still’s coverage skills continue to develop, and his ability to match up against the league’s top receivers will be tested throughout the demanding 17-game regular season.
Special teams coordinator Ryan Finer has praised Still’s potential as both a cornerback and return specialist. While his primary focus remains on defensive contributions, his experience returning punts in college and his elusiveness could lead to expanded responsibilities on special teams. The Chargers enter the 2025 season with heightened expectations following their playoff appearance the previous year, and Still’s continued growth will be essential to their success.