Tag: Maema Njongmeta

LOOK: Former Wisconsin Badgers linebackers reunite prior to 2024 NFL training camp

LOOK: Former Wisconsin Badgers linebackers reunite prior to 2024 NFL training camp

T.J. Watt, T.J. Edwards and Maema Njongmeta were among former Wisconsin Badger linebackers pictured working out together during the 2024 offseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig and the Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Zach Baun were also pictured alongside Watt, Edwards and Njongmeta.

Of the 34 former Badgers currently representing NFL franchises, eight are featured at inside linebacker or outside linebacker. Others include Minnesota OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, Kansas City ILB Leo Chenal and Chicago ILB Jack Sanborn.

The photo of the decorated former Badgers arrives on the precipice of NFL training camps for all 32 teams across the league. Edwards and the Bears commence camp on July 19, Njongmeta and the Bengals start on July 21, Baun and the Eagles begin on July 23, and the Badger-heavy Steelers are slated to begin on July 24.

For those invested in Wisconsin football, it’s a welcome sight to see former Badgers reunite during the NFL offseason. Even with the differing timelines in each of their collegiate tenures, the connection to the university remains strong among this linebacker group.

Former Wisconsin ILB an ‘UDFA to watch’ entering 2024 NFL season

Former Wisconsin Badgers ILB an ‘UDFA to watch’ entering 2024 NFL season

Former Wisconsin inside linebacker Maema Njongmeta was named an ‘undrafted free agent to watch’ entering the 2024 NFL season by ProFootballFocus.

Njongmeta was PFF’s selection for the Cincinnati Bengals, as the service picked one ‘UDFA to watch’ on each NFL team.

Related: Post-spring Big Ten football 2024 power rankings, starting quarterback rankings

After two years as Wisconsin’s defensive leader, the inside linebacker signed with the Bengals after the 2024 NFL draft. He totaled 154 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 interception and 2 pass deflections over those two years starting for the Badgers.

Njongmeta was a breakout star in 2022 during the final year of Jim Leonhard’s tenure as defensive coordinator, then had an up-and-down 2023 in the first year under Mike Tressel and Luke Fickell.

Wisconsin has a terrific recent history of sending productive inside linebackers to the NFL — with T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal all in the last few seasons. Edwards and Sanborn weren’t highly-regarded entering the draft, then each turned into star contributors upon arriving in the league.

Here’s what PFF had to say about Njongmeta entering his first year with the Bengals:

Njongmeta has been a force at linebacker for Wisconsin over the last two years, registering 146 total tackles over 26 games. He earned a 76.7 grade in 2023 and an excellent 88.5 grade in 2022. Njongmeta could feasibly be a real special teams asset for the Bengals.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

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Former Wisconsin linebacker signs with Cincinnati Bengals as undrafted free agent

Former Wisconsin ILB has his NFL home:

Former Wisconsin inside linebacker Maema Njongmeta signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft.

Njongmeta was a two-year starter for the Badgers, totaling 154 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 interception and 2 pass deflections over that span. He was a breakout star in 2022 during the final year of Jim Leonhard’s tenure as defensive coordinator, then had an up-and-down 2023 in the first year under Mike Tressel and Luke Fickell.

Related: Which Wisconsin Badgers will be selected in the 2025 NFL draft?

Njongmeta signs with a Bengals team that is looking for a resurgent season with star quarterback Joe Burrow back under center. The former Badger will have an uphill battle to make the roster, as the Bengals are mostly deep at inside linebacker.

There is a strong recent history of Wisconsin inside linebackers carving out productive NFL careers — T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal all in the last few seasons. Njongmeta will look to join that list.

Njongmeta is one of several former Badgers to sign after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft — that after only three were selected during the event.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Bengals to give undrafted free agent LB $15K signing bonus

The Bengals are opening up the checkbook for an undrafted free agent.

The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t address the linebacker position over the course of their 10 selections in the 2024 NFL draft.

Perhaps that was by design.

According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the Bengals will give Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta a $15,000 signing bonus to sign.

Any sort of cash bonus for an undrafted free agent is notable for the fact it speaks to the team’s level of interest. And with Njongmeta, it makes sense — he tallied 150-plus tackles and 6.5 sacks over the last two seasons in college.

Undrafted signings aren’t official until the team announces them.

Our entire Bengals undrafted free agency tracker is live.

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Wisconsin linebacker invited to two NFL local prospect days

What kind of NFL career will Maema Njongmeta have?

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Maema Njongmeta was reportedly invited to two local prospect days this week. 

According to KPRC’s Aaron Wilson, both the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers reached out to the Buffalo Grove, Illinois native. 

Local prospect days serve as a resource for NFL organizations to scout players with ties to a certain geographical region. Given Njongmeta’s upbringing near the Chicagoland area and collegiate tenure in Madison, both the Packers and Bears fit that bill.

Recently, teams have used local pro days as a tool to evaluate players in a tryout scenario in addition to the scheduled pre-draft visits.

Njongmeta started all 13 games for the 2023 Badgers. He recorded 59 total tackles, the fifth most on the defensive unit. The inside linebacker also recovered three fumbles and notched three sacks on the year.

His best season was 2022 under former defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. He started 13 games that year, recording 95 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one interception.

The former Badger currently projects to be signed as an undrafted free agent.

 

How former Wisconsin LB Maema Njongmeta performed at the 2024 NFL combine

How former Wisconsin LB Maema Njongmeta performed at the 2024 NFL combine

Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta went through his NFL combine measurements and position drills Thursday night.

The former Badger is looking to rise on draft boards and find an NFL home after initially being projected to go undrafted.

He worked out with an impressive linebacker group led by Alabama’s Dallas Turner, Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Alabama’s Chris Braswell, Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper and Michigan’s Junior Colson.

Related: Wisconsin football’s biggest questions entering spring practice

Here is how Njongmeta performed in the position drills, and how those numbers compare to the average athlete at his position:

The former Badger will now prepare for Wisconsin’s pro day later this month as he hopes to enter the radar of NFL teams looking for depth at inside linebacker.

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Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

Three former Badgers accept invitations to NFL combine

Three former Badgers accept invitations to NFL Combine

The 2024 NFL scouting combine begin on Feb. 26 in Indianapolis and three former Badgers football athletes accepted their invitations on Wednesday.

Running back Braelon Allen heads to the combine after wrapping up an impressive three-year career with Wisconsin. The Fond Du Lac native finished his time in Madison with 3,494 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns over 35 contests. He looks to continue his dominance at the professional level.

Offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini also heads to Indianapolis after he announced he would make the leap to the NFL after the 2023 campaign. Bortolini started at center for each of the team’s 12 regular-season games this past season. He also played offensive guard during his four years in Madison.

Finally, linebacker Maema Njongmeta will join his teammates at the NFL combine in a few weeks. Njongmeta spent four seasons with Wisconsin, racking up 158 total tackles (80 solo), including 6.5 sacks. He also intercepted a pass and recovered three fumbles over 26 games.

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Former Wisconsin linebacker impressing at Shrine Bowl practice

Former Wisconsin linebacker impressing at Shrine Bowl practice

Former Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta is off to a strong start at Shrine Bowl practice.

The two-year starter in Madison intercepted former Kentucky and NC State quarterback Devin Leary during a practice session earlier this week, that right after recovering a fumble on the previous play.

Njongmeta is currently projected to go undrafted, though his stock has risen quite a bit since the 2023 season concluded.

The inside linebacker is hoping to make the next level after appearing in 28 games during his Wisconsin career, during which he recorded 158 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and one interception.

He and former Wisconsin and Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo are the two former Badgers at the Shrine Bowl this year.

Wisconsin linebacker declares for NFL Draft

Another Badger heading to the NFL

After the team’s disappointing 35-31 loss to LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday, Badgers linebacker Maema Njongmenta announced Wednesday that he is declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Njongmeta spent four years with Wisconsin (three active), compiling 158 total tackles as a member of the Badgers. The linebacker recorded 59 tackles, including 3.0 sacks, while deflecting a pass and recovering three fumbles over 13 contests during the 2023 campaign.

He joins the likes of running back Braelon Allen and offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini, amongst others, in declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft in April and he’ll look to follow in the footsteps of the many former Badgers currently in the league.

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WATCH: Wisconsin radio analyst has his takeaways from Ohio State game

Tausch’s takeaways from Ohio State loss

The Badgers football team (5-3) lost to Ohio State (8-0) 24-10 in Week 9 at Camp Randall, battling hard against one of the best teams in the nation. Broadcast analyst Mark Tauscher, a former Badger, gave his takeaways from the game.

He highlighted Wisconsin’s ability to fight and scrap and make it a competitive game. He names cornerback Ricardo Hallman, safety Preston Zachman and linebacker Maema Njongmeta as notable defensive players, all of which were on the receiving end of a Buckeyes turnover.

Offensively, Tausch was impressed by quarterback Braedyn Locke’s ability to fire up the fans with a second-half touchdown. There are a lot of great things in the future, which starts Saturday at 11AM on the road at Indiana.

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