Terry McLaurin Bio
Terry McLaurin is an American professional football wide receiver for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by Washington in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In 2024, McLaurin set a franchise record for most touchdown catches in a single season with 13 and earned second-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
Early Life and Background
Terry McLaurin was born on September 15, 1995, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, where he became a standout football player. In 2013, McLaurin was awarded the Indiana Mr. Football Award, recognizing him as the state’s top high school player. He was regarded as a four-star recruit in the class of 2014 according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Path to Professional Football
McLaurin enrolled at Ohio State University in 2014, joining the Buckeyes football program. He redshirted his freshman season in 2014 before becoming a contributor on the offensive side of the ball. His development at Ohio State positioned him as a promising NFL prospect, and his college career laid the foundation for his professional success. McLaurin was part of the Ohio State team that won the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2015.
Terry McLaurin Career
Rookie Season (2019)
McLaurin was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round with the 76th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. Washington also drafted his college teammate Dwayne Haskins in the first round that same year. McLaurin signed his four-year rookie contract on June 6, 2019. His strong training camp performance earned him a Week 1 starting role.
In his NFL debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, McLaurin recorded five receptions for 125 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown. He became the first player in league history to record at least five receptions and a touchdown in each of his first three career games. McLaurin finished his rookie season with 58 receptions for 919 yards and seven touchdowns, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.
2020 Season
McLaurin posted 1,118 receiving yards and four touchdowns during the 2020 season despite the team facing quarterback instability throughout the year. He recorded 10 receptions for 118 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. Following a season-ending injury to team captain Landon Collins in October, McLaurin was unanimously voted by his teammates to assume a leadership role. He missed one game due to a high ankle sprain sustained against the Seattle Seahawks.
2021 Season
McLaurin started all 17 games in the 2021 season, recording 77 receptions for 1,053 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He caught 11 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. McLaurin left a Week 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys due to a concussion but returned to finish the season strong.
2022 Season
On July 5, 2022, McLaurin signed a three-year contract extension worth $71 million with a $28 million signing bonus. In the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he recorded a 49-yard touchdown reception. Playing in his hometown of Indianapolis for the first time professionally, McLaurin made a critical 33-yard contested catch with 40 seconds remaining to set up the game-winning score against the Colts. He finished the season with a career-high 1,191 receiving yards, 77 receptions, and five touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
2023 Season
McLaurin achieved a career-high single-game receiving yards record in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams, hauling in six receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown. He finished the season with 1,002 receiving yards and four touchdowns, becoming the first Washington player to record four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
2024 Season
McLaurin set a franchise record with 13 touchdown receptions in the 2024 season, breaking his previous single-season high of seven from his rookie year. He recorded a career-long 86-yard touchdown reception against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12. McLaurin finished second in the league in touchdown catches and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth consecutive season. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career.
In the playoffs, McLaurin recorded a receiving touchdown in all three postseason games. He helped Washington defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round, and advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1992.
2025 Season
McLaurin reported to training camp after a brief absence and signed a three-year contract extension worth $96 million with $44.65 million guaranteed on August 26, 2025, securing his future with the franchise through 2028. He suffered a quad injury in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders after recording a 56-yard reception and missed the following four games. Upon returning in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, McLaurin re-injured the same quad and was ruled out for additional time. He returned in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, recording seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown in overtime.
Notable Events and Milestones
McLaurin has earned nicknames including “Scary Terry,” “F1,” and “The Captain” throughout his NFL career. His 69-yard touchdown in his NFL debut remains one of the most memorable rookie performances. His 2024 season established him among the league’s elite receivers with a franchise-record 13 touchdowns and first-time All-Pro recognition. McLaurin has been ranked on the NFL Top 100 Players list by his peers, reaching as high as 52nd in 2025.
Terry McLaurin Career Statistics
McLaurin has established himself as one of the NFL’s most consistent receivers since entering the league in 2019. He has recorded 498 career receptions for 6,961 receiving yards and 41 receiving touchdowns through the 2025 season. His streak of five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2020 through 2024 highlights his reliability and durability as a top-tier wide receiver.
2024 Highlights
The 2024 season represented McLaurin’s most prolific as a professional. His 13 touchdown receptions set a new single-season franchise record and ranked second in the NFL. He earned second-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career and was named to his second Pro Bowl. McLaurin contributed three receiving touchdowns during Washington’s playoff run to the NFC Championship Game.
Other Career Highlights
McLaurin was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2024, and he earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2019. He helped Ohio State capture the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2015. His 1,191 receiving yards in 2022 marked a career high at that point, and his 2024 season surpassed that total while adding his record-breaking touchdown total.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Washington Redskins | 58 | 919 | 7 |
| 2020 | Washington Football Team | 87 | 1,118 | 4 |
| 2021 | Washington Football Team | 77 | 1,053 | 5 |
| 2022 | Washington Commanders | 77 | 1,191 | 5 |
| 2023 | Washington Commanders | 72 | 1,002 | 4 |
| 2024 | Washington Commanders | 79 | 1,127 | 13 |
| 2025 | Washington Commanders | 48 | 551 | 3 |
Terry McLaurin Family
Personal Life
McLaurin has been a prominent figure in the Washington metropolitan area community. He established the Terry McLaurin Foundation to help disadvantaged children in the region. McLaurin also has a cereal named after him called Terry McLaurin’s Crunch Time, reflecting his popularity among fans. He has been called “Scary Terry” and “The Captain” by teammates and fans throughout his career.
McLaurin married Caitlin Winfrey in Los Cabos, Mexico, in February 2025. The couple celebrated their wedding in an intimate ceremony attended by family and friends. McLaurin maintains strong ties to his Indiana roots and continues to be involved in charitable work through his foundation.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with McLaurin securing a lucrative three-year extension worth $96 million with $44.65 million guaranteed, cementing his status as one of Washington’s most important players. However, injuries have plagued his campaign. A quad injury suffered in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders forced him to miss four games. Upon returning in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, McLaurin recorded three receptions for 54 yards and scored the team’s only touchdown before re-injuring the same quad, resulting in additional missed time.
McLaurin returned to action in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, delivering a strong performance with seven receptions for 96 yards and a clutch overtime touchdown that gave Washington a chance to win. The Commanders narrowly lost 27-26 after a failed two-point conversion. The injury setbacks significantly limited his production compared to previous seasons, but McLaurin demonstrated his value whenever he was on the field.
The Commanders enter the 2026 offseason hopeful that McLaurin will make a full recovery and return to his All-Pro form. His leadership, consistency, and ability to make big plays remain invaluable to Washington’s offense. With a new contract secured and his future tied to the franchise, McLaurin looks to rebuild momentum heading into the 2026 campaign.