Washington’s 91st player on the offseason roster
The Commanders today announced the signing of another defensive end.
If you aren’t familiar with TJ Maguranyanga, don’t feel bad; he’s new to the NFL, coming to Washington via the International Player Pathway program.
As of April 22 he’ll become their International Pathway Program player. https://t.co/V7oP9tgrtC
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 3, 2025
According to Wikipedia, TJ Maguranyanga is a Zimbabwean professional rugby player for ASM Clermont Auvergne. In December 2024, Maguranyanga became an NFL player, being selected for the league’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program.
Here’s a quick thumbnail sketch of Maguranyanga’s background along with a bit of information about the International Player Pathway program.
At just [22] years old, Maguranyanga is set to embark on a journey that could lead to a place on an NFL roster.
The IPP programme, launched in 2017, aims to identify and develop exceptional athletic talent from around the world for American football. Participants undergo a rigorous 10-week training regimen, including on-field skill development and classroom education, at the world-class IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Maguranyanga is one of 14 athletes chosen for the 2025 cohort, which will conclude its training with a showcase at the University of South Florida’s Pro Day in March, where scouts from NFL clubs will evaluate the players.
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice-president for international, events, and club business, expressed excitement about this year’s participants:”The Class of 2025 is an exciting one, and we are delighted to welcome these talented athletes from around the world. The IPP programme offers life-changing opportunities for international talent, and we look forward to following their progress.”
The IPP programme attracts athletes from diverse sports backgrounds, including rugby, basketball, Gaelic football, and track and field, ensuring a broad pool of talent for the NFL’s global development initiatives.
Maguranyanga has already made a name for himself in rugby, excelling in France and shining in the Africa Men’s Sevens tournament in Mauritius. Although an injury prevented him from debuting for Zimbabwe’s Sables in the Africa Cup, he demonstrated resilience by pivoting toward a new goal: playing in the NFL.
His journey mirrors that of Nate Landman, the only other Zimbabwean to feature in the NFL. Landman, whose father played rugby for Zimbabwe, joined the Atlanta Falcons after a standout college football career in Colorado. Maguranyanga now aims to follow in his footsteps.
Maguranyanga’s path has not been without challenges. A serious injury during his time at ASM Clermont Auvergne sidelined him for an entire season, casting doubt on his future in professional sports. However, his determination saw him recover and make his international rugby debut earlier this year, a milestone that paved the way for his selection to the IPP programme.
With the IPP programme providing world-class training and exposure, Maguranyanga’s transition from rugby to American football represents a bold step in his career. Should he secure a spot in the NFL, he would not only achieve a personal milestone but also bring pride to Zimbabwe as its latest representative on the global sports stage.
Maguranyanga is tall (6’5”) and relatively lean (223 pounds). He is obviously very young (22 years old) and, as a rugby player, a developmental project more likely to pay dividends in future years (if at all) than to contribute right away this season.
In recent years, Washington has had an IPP player each season with a distinctly DL flavor, starting with David Bada in 2020. Efe Obada, who spent 3 seasons on Washington’s regular roster, also came to the NFL through the IPP program, as did TE Sammis Reyes, who spent the 2021 season in Washington and was on the Vikings practice squad last season. Last season, the Commanders had defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, who was not re-signed this offseason.
There are some interesting rules and benefits that attach to having an IPP player under contract:
[E]ach of the 32 NFL clubs is eligible to fill a 17th roster spot on its practice squad, reserved for an international player. A participating club is permitted to elevate its international practice squad player to its active roster a maximum of three times throughout the season — increasing the flexibility for clubs to leverage the additional player, while creating more opportunity to play.
Each club will also receive one training camp roster exemption for a qualifying player. Clubs may choose to sign players identified through the NFL’s IPP program or can choose to independently scout for international talent.
In effect, Maguranyanga is the 91st player on the offseason roster and the 17th player on the 2025 practice squad. He may or may not see the field in a regular season game, but he is the latest addition to the pantheon of players to wear the burgundy & gold.