Tag: International Player Pathway program

Commanders sign defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi

Ndubuisi is a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters remains busy. On Monday, Peters added running back Jeremy McNichols and quarterback Jeff Driskel to Washington’s offseason roster. On Tuesday, Peters added linebacker Mykal Walker.

On Wednesday, Peters did it again, signing defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi. If that name doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because Ndubuisi is from Nigeria and a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

The 23-year-old defensive lineman is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 298 pounds. He spent last season with the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. In 2022, Ndubuisi was assigned to the Arizona Cardinals as an offensive lineman, appearing in one preseason game before he was released.

Ndubuisi has an incredible story. Growing up in Nigeria, he played soccer and basketball before seeing the NFL on YouTube and he was hooked. Unfortunately, Nigeria didn’t have many football teams, so he practiced alone, or would bring his friends to fields to re-enact what he would see in the videos.

In 2021, he received a break when joined the UpRise Academy, which helps identify and develop African talent and was co-founded by former Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora.

As a part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program, Ndubuisi will not count against Washington’s 90-man offseason roster.

The Commanders have seen players from the international program make the final roster. In recent years, David Bada and Sammis Reyes were on Washington’s roster.

Seahawks LB Aaron Donkor on game in Munich: ‘It’s going to be a party’

Seahawks German linebacker Aaron Donkor is hoping to see the field in front of his “home” crowd when Seattle plays in Munich in Week 10.

German linebacker Aaron Donkor has been with the Seattle Seahawks for over a year and a half now, first joining the team as a participant in the International Player Pathway Program. He’s hoping this week he gets to make his NFL debut in front of his “home” crowd when the Seahawks take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Munich.

Donkor spoke to the media Wednesday before the Seahawks departed and he was asked about the reception the club might have in his home country.

“German fans are going to embrace us and love us,” Donkor told reporters. “I’m not sure if they know who to root for, but we’ll make sure they are with us when we step on that field. So, that’s the goal.”

Donkor and his teammates know that this is a work trip, but there should be a little time to sneak in some fun as well.

“I feel like the Germans are going to do their thing” Donkor continued. “They are great hosts. They have been preparing and organizing and making sure everything is set up. It’s going to be a party.

“I already know they are excited and it’s going to be a Super Bowl in every sense of the words.”

While the party will last all week, the game is set for a 6:30 am PT kickoff on Sunday.

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German linebacker Aaron Donkor allocated to Seahawks

German linebacker Aaron Donkor has been allocated to the Seattle Seahawks via the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

German linebacker Aaron Donkor has been allocated to the Seattle Seahawks via the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

Donkor is one of four international players who will remain on an NFL practice squad throughout 2021, with the chance to earn a spot on a roster. The other three players also join NFC West clubs: offensive lineman Alfredo Gutierrez of Mexico heads to the 49ers, offensive lineman Max Pircher of Italy to the Rams and tight end Bernhard Seikovits of Austria to the Cardinals.

Here’s the scouting report the NFL press release included on Donkor:

A native of Germany, played with the German Football League’s Dusseldorf Panthers in 2016. In 2017, joined the New Mexico Military Institute. Saw action in 12 games over two seasons and accumulated 32 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumbles. Transferred to Arkansas State for his remaining eligibility and posted 25 tackles during the 2019 season.

“You’re our newest linebacker, man, how ’bout that?” coach Pete Carroll told Donkor on a video, per the Seahawks site. “We’re fired up to add you to our team… We’re expecting you to play linebacker, we’re going to feature you on special teams; we want you to be a big factor there too. The more you can do is obviously the old NFL way, so let’s make sure you take advantage of that.

“Welcome to the Seahawks.”

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