Terry McLaurin Bio
Terry McLaurin, born on September 15, 1995, in Indianapolis, Indiana, 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 the team record for most touchdown catches in a season with 13 and earned second-team All-Pro honors.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 210 pounds, McLaurin has developed into one of the most dependable receivers in the league. He is also a CFP national champion from his time at Ohio State and a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Off the field, he is married to Caitlin Winfrey and runs the Terry McLaurin Foundation, which supports disadvantaged youth in the Washington metropolitan area.
Early Life and Background
Terry McLaurin was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended Cathedral High School. A standout multi-sport athlete, he earned Indiana’s Mr. Football Award in 2013, recognizing him as the top high school player in the state. His high school success earned him a four-star recruit rating in the class of 2014 according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
McLaurin’s upbringing in Indianapolis helped shape his competitive edge and work ethic. He has often credited his family and hometown community for instilling the discipline that later fueled his football career. His combination of speed, route-running precision, and football intelligence drew the attention of several college programs across the country.
Path to American Football
McLaurin committed to Ohio State University, where he joined one of the most competitive football programs in the country. He redshirted his freshman season in 2014 before appearing in six games as a redshirt freshman in 2015, recording seven tackles and a fumble recovery. That season culminated in a College Football Playoff national championship for the Buckeyes.
As a sophomore in 2016, McLaurin recorded 11 receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. His role expanded steadily, and by his junior year in 2017 he posted 29 receptions for 436 yards and six touchdowns. His senior campaign in 2018 was his most productive, finishing with 35 receptions for 701 yards and 11 touchdowns while leading the Big Ten Conference in yards per reception.
Terry McLaurin Career
Early Career (2019)
Terry McLaurin was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round, 76th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. Washington also selected his college quarterback, Dwayne Haskins, in the first round of the same draft. McLaurin signed his four-year rookie contract on June 6, 2019, and earned a Week 1 starting job after a strong training camp.
He made an immediate impact, recording five receptions for 125 yards and a 69-yard touchdown in his NFL debut against the Philadelphia Eagles. He followed that with at least five catches and a touchdown in each of his next two games, becoming the first player in league history to post such numbers in his first three career appearances. McLaurin finished his rookie season with 58 receptions for 919 yards and seven touchdowns and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Washington Football Team Era (2020–2021)
In 2020, McLaurin recorded 1,118 receiving yards and four touchdowns despite an unstable quarterback situation in Washington. He caught 10 passes for 118 yards against the Baltimore Ravens and seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants. That season, McLaurin was unanimously voted by his teammates to replace injured team captain Landon Collins as a defensive leader, illustrating his standing in the locker room.
In March 2021, Curtis Samuel signed with Washington, reuniting McLaurin with his college roommate and fellow receiver. McLaurin started all 17 games in 2021, finishing with 77 receptions for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns. He recorded four 100-yard games during the season, cementing himself as Washington’s clear number-one receiver.
Commanders Era (2022–2024)
On July 5, 2022, McLaurin signed a three-year contract extension worth $71 million with a $28 million signing bonus. That season he set a career high with 1,191 receiving yards on 77 receptions, including five touchdowns, and was voted to his first Pro Bowl. His 33-yard contested catch against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8 set up a game-winning touchdown in his hometown stadium.
In 2023, McLaurin recorded 1,002 receiving yards and four touchdowns, becoming the first Washington player to post four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The 2024 campaign proved to be his finest statistical season, as he set a Commanders record with 13 touchdown receptions and earned second-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career. He added a Pro Bowl selection, giving him two career Pro Bowl nods, and helped Washington reach the NFC Championship Game.
Contract Extension Era (2025–Present)
Amid contract extension negotiations in 2025, McLaurin held out of training camp before reporting on July 27. He was later placed on the active/physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury and briefly requested a trade. On August 26, 2025, he signed a three-year extension worth $96 million with $44.65 million guaranteed, securing his future with the Commanders through 2028.
During the 2025 regular season, McLaurin suffered a quad injury in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders after a 56-yard reception. He missed four games before returning in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he recorded three receptions for 54 yards and the team’s only touchdown. His playing time was again limited after re-injuring the quad.
Notable Events and Milestones
McLaurin’s record-setting 2024 season, in which he caught 13 touchdown passes, established a new Commanders single-season mark. His career-long 86-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 of 2024 highlighted his big-play ability. McLaurin is also a CFP national champion from Ohio State’s 2015 title run and has been recognized twice on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
Terry McLaurin Career Wins
Terry McLaurin has built one of the most productive receiving careers in recent Washington history, posting five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2020 through 2024. He earned two Pro Bowl selections, in 2022 and 2024, and was named second-team All-Pro in 2024. McLaurin was also voted to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2019.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond individual awards, McLaurin played a central role in Washington’s NFC East division title in 2020 and its run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. He set a Commanders single-season record with 13 touchdown receptions in 2024, surpassing his previous season high of seven from his rookie year.
Terry McLaurin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Terry McLaurin was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, and attended Cathedral High School, where he became one of the state’s most decorated football recruits. He has consistently credited his family and hometown for shaping his disciplined approach to the game.
Personal Life
McLaurin is married to Caitlin Winfrey. The couple wed in Los Cabos, Mexico, in February 2025. He has been known by several nicknames throughout his NFL career, including “Scary Terry,” “F1,” and “The Captain,” reflecting his standing among teammates and fans.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been defined largely by McLaurin’s contract situation and injury challenges. After a brief holdout and trade request, he signed a three-year, $96 million extension with $44.65 million guaranteed, locking him in as Washington’s offensive centerpiece. His return to the field was slowed by an ankle issue and a quad injury that cost him four games.
Upon returning in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, McLaurin recorded three receptions for 54 yards and the team’s only touchdown before re-injuring his quad. Head Coach Dan Quinn confirmed McLaurin would miss additional time as the team managed his recovery. Washington’s offense has continued to lean on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and McLaurin’s veteran presence.
Looking ahead, McLaurin remains central to the Commanders’ long-term plans under his new deal, which runs through 2028. His combination of production, leadership, and big-play ability positions him as a foundational piece of the franchise’s competitive outlook. Fully healthy, he projects as Washington’s primary deep threat and red-zone target for the remainder of the season and beyond.