Tag: Maema Njongmeta

Former Wisconsin standout linebacker helps Bengals clinch ‘Monday Night Football’ win

Former Wisconsin standout linebacker helps Bengals clinch ‘Monday Night Football’ win

Former Wisconsin standout linebacker Maema Njongmeta recorded his first signature NFL highlight in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.

The moment arrived in one of the most miraculous situations of the 2024 NFL season to date. Pinned at its 29-yard line with exactly two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and tied at 20, the Bengals lined up to punt.

As soon as punter Ryan Rehkow fielded the long snap, Cowboys special teamer Nick Vigil squeezed through Cincinnati’s offensive line and blocked the punt. The ball took a few big bounces toward Cowboys territory and glanced off a Dallas player before Njongmeta, who tracked the ball the whole way through, grabbed it at the Bengals’ 43-yard line.

The recovery handed the Bengals the football with a fresh opportunity to win the game. Joe Burrow and the offensive capitalized on a 40-yard touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase, clinching the 27-20 win.

Njongmeta hasn’t seen much action this season, but he certainly made the most of it. He may have missed the block on Vigil on the initial punt, but he didn’t give up.

This same mentality netted the UW alumnus a spot on the Bengals’ 53-man roster in late August. In three preseason games, the two-year starter at Wisconsin notched 29 total tackles, 18 solo tackles, two pass deflections and respectable special teams play to elevate to the 53-man.

Since then, Njongmeta has logged eight total tackles and five solo tackles for Zac Taylor’s team in 12 games. Most of his time comes during special teams action.

At Wisconsin, Njongmeta totaled 158 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 6 1/2 sacks, one interception, two pass deflections and three fumble recoveries during his tenure in Madison. His opportunities could grow following the highlight.

LOOK: Former Wisconsin linebackers swap jerseys at Arrowhead Stadium

LOOK: Former Wisconsin linebackers swap jerseys at Arrowhead Stadium

Former Wisconsin linebackers Leo Chenal and Maema Njongmeta swapped jerseys at Arrowhead Stadium after the Kansas City Chiefs win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.

Chenal’s Chiefs outdueled Njongmeta’s Bengals 26-25 on a last-second field goal. Nonetheless, the two shared a moment of Badger brotherhood on the field shortly after the game ended.

Chenal, who registered seven tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass deflections against Lamar Jackson’s Ravens in Week 1, notched six tackles and one forced fumble this week against the Bengals. Njongmeta did not record a defensive statistic, but appeared on a few special teams sequences.

Despite differing graduation years, the two spent three seasons together at Wisconsin from 2019-2021. Chenal accounted for 180 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 29 games during that span.

Njongmeta played in six games during Chenal’s final year in Madison (2021) before leading UW with 95 tackles in 2022. He then started for the Badgers again in 2023 in the first year under new coach Luke Fickell.

Here is their jersey exchange.

Chenal will continue to serve as one of the Chiefs’ most valuable defensive assets during the team’s quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl.

Njongmeta, on the other hand, earned his spot on the Bengals’ 53-man roster towards the tail of August after a stellar preseason. He tallied 29 tackles in three games, including 18 solo tackles, and added two pass deflections.

Miami Dolphins release former Wisconsin Badgers defensive back

Former Wisconsin defensive back let go by the Dolphins

Former Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Jason Maitre was cut by the Dolphins on Tuesday, failing to make the team’s initial 53-man roster.

The cornerback appeared in all three of the team’s preseason contests, totaling seven solo tackles.

Maitre signed with the Dolphins in May as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft. If he clears waivers, he could return to the Dolphins’ practice squad, which may be the most likely scenario for the 24-year-old.

During his one and only campaign with Wisconsin in 2023, Maitre recorded 33 total tackles (24 solo) and three pass deflections while playing in 12 contests. Prior to that, he spent five years with Boston College, compiling 133 total tackles and three interceptions.

In other former Badgers news, linebacker Maema Njongmeta secured a active roster spot with the Bengals after an impressive preseason as an undrafted free agent.

Report: Former Wisconsin linebacker surprisingly makes Bengals 53-man roster

Former Wisconsin linebacker surprisingly makes Bengals 53-man roster

Former Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta is in line to make the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster entering the 2024 season, according to TheDraftNetwork’s Justin Melo.

Njongmeta has been a breakout player this preseason after signing with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger currently on an NFL roster entering 2024 training camp

The two-year starter at Wisconsin totaled 29 tackles over three preseason games, 18 of them solo tackles. He also added two pass deflections and some strong special teams performance.

Njongmeta will enter the 2024 season as the Bengals’ third-string inside linebacker behind starters Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt and backups Joe Bachie and Akeem Davis-Gaither.

The former three-star recruit is the next in a long line of recent Wisconsin inside linebackers to make it to the NFL. He is taking the same path as Badger great T.J. Edwards, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a undrafted free agent in 2019 and is entering his sixth NFL season.

Njongmeta totaled 158 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 6 1/2 sacks, one interception, two pass deflections and three fumble recoveries during his time with the Badgers. He was one of the best players on Jim Leonhard’s 2022 defense before taking a step back under Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel in 2023.

Check back after roster cuts are finalized for a complete list of former Badgers to make NFL rosters for the 2024 regular season.

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Former Wisconsin linebacker may be on verge of cracking Bengals’ 53-man roster

Former Wisconsin linebacker on verge of cracking Bengals’ 53-man roster

Former Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta is on the cusp of cracking the Cincinatti Bengals’ final 53-man roster this week.

Njongmeta added nine more tackles to his stellar 2024 NFL preseason outlook during the Bengals’ 27-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday. Through three contests, he trails only Atlanta’s Donavan Mutin in total tackles among any player this preseason.

A week ago, the former Badger notched a team-best seven tackles, including six solo, in a 27-3 loss to the Chicago Bears. That performance arrived one week after he recorded a team-best 10 tackles (seven solo) and two pass deflections in his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With 26 total tackles under his belt for the Bengals, Njongmeta has played himself into contention for the final linebacker spot on Cincinnati’s roster. Former Duke linebacker Shaka Heyward is also vying for that position.

 

The 2023 third team All-Big Ten team member has showcased his ability to attack opposing running backs and defend against passing schemes throughout the preseason. The dexterity may prove as the bridge between making the Bengals’ final roster or exiting the facility on Aug. 27 without a roster spot.

Logan Wilson, Joe Bachie, Germaine Pratt and Devin Harper remain locks at the linebacker position.

Cincinatti will begin its season against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 8.

LOOK: Former Badgers pictured together at NFL preseason joint practice

Two notable former Badgers pictured together at NFL preseason joint practice:

Wisconsin Badgers football alumni Jonathan Taylor and Maema Njongmeta linked up for a picture at an NFL preseason joint training camp practice on Tuesday.

Staged at Cincinnati’s Kettering Health Practice Fields, the practice was the final of Indianapolis’ offseason agenda before the Colts and Bengals square off in their final preseason match on Thursday night.

Taylor, a star running back for the Indianapolis Colts, and Njongmeta, a promising linebacker prospect for the Cincinnati Bengals, came together with Wisconsin’s No. 3 all-time leading tackler Tim Krumrie during Tuesday’s action.

Krumrie played four seasons at Wisconsin before transitioning to a successful 12-year NFL career with the Bengals from 1983-94. Krumrie was a 1999 inductee into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame and served as a defensive line coach for the Bengals, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs from 1995-2009.

While Njongmeta’s career doesn’t quite align with Taylor’s Wisconsin timeline, both represented the Badgers in 2019. Njongmeta redshirted that year while Taylor, who rushed for over 1,800 yards in 2021, pocketed his second-consecutive Doak Walker Award, registered another 2,000-yard season and led the nation with 26 total touchdowns.

Despite encountering a few injury setbacks, Taylor enters this season as one of the NFL’s premier all-purpose running backs. Njongmeta, on the other hand, is fighting for a spot on Cincinnati’s final 53-man roster for the 2024 slate.

Luckily for him, his 17 tackles, two passes deflections, one tackle for loss and one special teams tackle in two preseason games with the Bengals has driven his defensive stock up considerably.

Regardless of what transpires with the roster, both players appear to connect over their collegiate bonds.

Once a Badger, always a Badger.

Former Wisconsin linebacker leads Cincinnati Bengals defense for second straight week

Another big week for Maema Njongmeta:

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Maema Njongmeta orchestrated another dominant defensive effort in his second NFL preseason game on Saturday.

Njongmeta notched a team-best seven tackles, including six solo, in the 27-3 loss to the Chicago Bears over the weekend. The output arrived just one week after he recorded a team-high 10 tackles (seven solo) and two pass deflections in his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

His first output even vaulted him into No. 3 in ProFootballFocus’ rookie grades from Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason. Njongmeta recorded an impressive 91.5 overall grade, the highest of any rookie linebacker in the 2024 draft class.

In total, the 23-year-old Illinois native has amassed 17 tackles, two passes deflections, one tackle for loss and one special teams tackle in his two preseason games with the Bengals.

Njongmeta made an impact in both the rush and pass defense on Saturday. Whether it be denying Bears’ running backs at the line or tackling a receiver in the middle of the field, the former third team All-Big Ten member is proving he belongs at the NFL level:

Njongmeta’s ability to cover the rush and pass at the linebacker position could land him a 53-man roster spot with Cincinnati. While linebackers Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis-Gaither and Joe Bachie are sure to make the final roster, Njongmeta’s performances ahead of the 2024 slate could encourage the Bengals’ brass to include him in the mix.

The Bengals will continue its preseason journey against the Colts on Thursday, Aug. 22. If Njongmeta registers another stellar showing, it might be difficult to keep him off the team.

Wisconsin football boasts significant recent success at one defensive position

Wisconsin football boasts significant recent success at one defensive position

Wisconsin’s recruiting department offers an enticing message to incoming college prospects at the linebacker position.

In a recent X video, the Badgers highlight their professional success stories at the linebacker position. Eight active UW alumni will star at linebacker for a combined six NFL squads this season.

The list includes T.J. Edwards (Bears), Jack Sanborn (Bears), Maema Njongmeta (Bengals), Leo Chenal (Chiefs), Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings), Zack Baun (Eagles), Nick Herbig (Steelers) and T.J. Watt (Steelers).

Similar to what Wisconsin’s program provides its incoming recruits at offensive line and running back, its linebacker legacy is no joke. The pitch is simple: if you need a blueprint of how to reach the NFL at the position, play for the Badgers.

UW’s 2024 linebacker class includes OLB Thomas Heiberger, ILB Landon Gauthier and OLB Anelu Lafaele. All rank No. 3 or No. 4 on UW’s depth chart at the position at this stage. Heiberger was already showing signs of future stardom before a knee injury halted his progress.

Wisconsin’s 2025 LB class includes several high-profile high school products. Four-star Mason Posa, three-star Samuel Lateju, three-star Brenden Anes and three-star Cooper Catalano are all currently committed to the class with time remaining before it is finalized.

Former Wisconsin linebacker among PFF’s highest-graded rookies from NFL preseason Week 1

Former Wisconsin linebacker among PFF’s highest-graded rookies from NFL preseason Week 1

Former Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta was the third-highest graded rookie from Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason, according to ProFootballFocus.

Njongmeta recorded a 91.5 overall grade during the Cincinnati Bengals’ 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 10. Only Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback Micah Abraham (92.2) and New Orleans Saints cornerback Rico Payton (91.7) graded higher.

The undrafted free-agent linebacker and former third-team All-Big Ten member registered 10 tackles, a quarterback hurry and a batted pass in the losing effort.

Njongmeta’s performance could serve as a sign for things to come for the former Badger during his first season in NFL threads. Although he currently slots behind Logan Wilson, Joe Bachie and Shaka Hayward on Cincinnati’s middle linebacker depth chart, he still has two weeks to earn a position on the Bengals’ 53-man depth chart.

Another head-turning performance against the Chicago Bears on Aug. 17 could vault him into contention for a final roster spot.

Njongmeta played in 26 games at UW during his final two seasons in Madison and flashed his defensive prowess with 154 tackles from 2022-23.

Former Wisconsin linebacker leads Cincinnati Bengals defense in breakout effort

Former Wisconsin linebacker leads Cincinnati Bengals defense in breakout effort

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Maema Njongmeta had a breakout game in his NFL debut on Saturday.

That debut came in the Bengals’ 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first week of the 2024 NFL preseason. He finished the contest with a team-high 10 tackles (seven solo) and two pass deflections.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger currently on an NFL roster entering 2024 training camp

The former Badger signed with the Bengals in April after going unselected during the 2024 NFL draft. He is listed as a fourth-team inside linebacker on the Bengals’ roster, along with several other post-draft signees.

His debut performance has Njongmeta’s stock soaring as the preseason schedule continues. Bengals writers and fans were surprised by his strong debut showing:

The multiyear starter at Wisconsin will get two more preseason opportunities before the Bengals must decide on their 53-man roster. The next chance comes on Saturday, Aug. 17 against the Chicago Bears.

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