Tanner McCalister, a 2018 Rockwall-Heath High School graduate, signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on Aug. 31. The Chiefs announced McCalister among 12 players added to the practice squad following the 53-man roster cutdown. He is listed as a safety out of Ohio State.

McCalister was a four-year varsity starter for the Hawks who played both sides of the ball. His senior season in 2017 was a breakout year at running back, with 1,329 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns and five runs of 100 or more yards. On defense over 45 career games, he recorded 123 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six pass deflections and four interceptions, according to the Rockwall County Herald-Banner. Defense was always his calling card.

After graduating, McCalister played at Oklahoma State before transferring to Ohio State for his final college season, where he led the Buckeyes with three interceptions. He went undrafted in 2023 but signed with the Cleveland Browns and later spent time with the Denver Broncos before joining the Chiefs organization. According to KMBC's roster tracker, McCalister was cut from the initial 53-man roster the day before being re-signed to the practice squad on Monday, Aug. 31.

McCalister is the second Rockwall ISD product currently in the NFL. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a Rockwall High School graduate, won the Super Bowl and was named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Yearafter recording 1,793 receiving yards and 119 receptions last season. Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.8 million contract extension in March.

The two players attended different schools within Rockwall ISD. McCalister starred at Rockwall-Heath; Smith-Njigba played at Rockwall High. As a practice squad player, McCalister can be elevated to the Chiefs' active roster on game days throughout the 2026 season.