Rams Linebacker Darryl Peterson III & Darryn Peterson Make Sports History

The Los Angeles Rams made five selections during the 2026 NFL Draft and then signed over a dozen undrafted free agents, including linebacker Darryl Peterson III out of Wisconsin.

Peterson’s younger Darryn has since made headlines for being selected by the Utah Jazz with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday.

According to Front Office Sports, the Petersons made history by becoming the first set of brothers to enter the NFL and NBA in the same year:

History for the Peterson family.

Darryl Peterson III signed with the Rams after the 2026 NFL Draft, and tonight Darryn Peterson was selected No. 2 by the Utah Jazz.

They’re the first brothers to enter the NFL and NBA in the same year. pic.twitter.com/2FAUlc1qaw

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 24, 2026

Darryl recorded 35 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 12 games during his fifth and final season with the Badgers. Although he wasn’t drafted like his brother, the 22-year-old will have an opportunity to make the Rams roster out of training camp.

There was no doubt that Darryn would be an NBA lottery pick quickly rising to superstardom with the Kansas Jayhawks. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24 games as a freshman — his only season at the college level.

Matthew Stafford compares Myles Garrett trade to leaving Lions

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford recently discussed the team’s blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett and compared it to when he left the Detroit Lions.

“We haven’t had that conversation yet,” Stafford said on former Rams defense end Chris Long’s podcast. “But there’s no question about it. You’re right, there are some parallels.

“I know for me, and I’m assuming for Myles and we’ll have those conversations as we get back to training camp and do those things. But it was just invigorating. For so many years, I felt like I was this guy in Detroit, the leader of the organization, leader of it all. And still feel that way in L.A., but you get traded and you’re suddenly the new guy who’s got to learn everything and it’s like this new juice where you’re like, alright, now I just gotta make sure I’m up to par with everybody else.

“And obviously the physical traits, his stats, his ability is second-to-none. He’s an incredible football player so you’re not worried about those things. It’s just hey man, there’s some new energy to it where football isn’t the exact same as it’s been the last 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 years and I know that can be energizing for a player and a guy that is smart enough to understand what the stakes are and the opportunity that he’s just been given.”