Andrew Mukuba

Last updated

Andrew Mukuba
MBNG02 TEXAS-93 (cropped) Mukuba.jpg
Mukuba with the Texas Longhorns in 2024
No. 24 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (2002-12-07) December 7, 2002 (age 22)
Harare, Zimbabwe
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Lyndon B. Johnson (Austin, Texas, U.S.)
College: Clemson (2021–2023)
Texas (2024)
NFL draft: 2025: 2nd round, 64th pick
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Andrew Mukuba Sr. (born December 7, 2002) is a Congolese-American professional football safety for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and Texas Longhorns. Mukuba was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Mukuba was born in Harare, Zimbabwe on December 7, 2002. His parents and older siblings were refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [1] During his early years in Zimbabwe, he would sleep on the floor with his other siblings in a house that had limited electricity. [2] He immigrated to Austin, Texas with his family when he was nine years old after being granted asylum in 2012. [3] His parents split when he was very young, and started living only with his mother, Tshala Bilolo, who worked as a housekeeper in a hotel. [4] Mukuba's introduction to football took place when he was in fifth grade, when his P.E. teacher, Shannon Crenshaw, helped him learn how to play it during gym class. After Mukuba quickly began to pick up the sport, Crenshaw, who ran a youth football organization with his wife, recruited Mukuba to join his team, the Austin Steelers. [5] Mukuba would later attend Lyndon B. Johnson High School, playing football and competing in track and field, running events such as 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, and long jump. [6] [7] He was rated a four-star recruit, and graduated early from high school. [8] He committed to play college football at Clemson over offers from LSU and Texas. [9]

College career

Mukuba joined the Clemson Tigers in January 2021 as an early enrollee. [10] He was named a starter at safety and became the first defensive back to start in a season opener for Clemson since freshman became eligible to play in 1973. [11] Mukuba was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Rookie of the Year and third team All-ACC after finishing the season with 54 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, nine passes broken up and a fumble recovery. [12]

On December 18, 2023, Mukuba transferred to the Texas Longhorns, where he was a Physical Culture and Sports major. [13] [14]

College statistics
YearTeamGPTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
SoloAstTotLossSkIntYdsAvgTDPDFFFR
2021 Clemson 133017472.01.0000.00701
2022 Clemson 123222540.50.0100.00300
2023 Clemson 102814422.00.0000.00601
2024 Texas 154128694.00.05122.40710
Career 50131812128.51.06120.602322

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill
5 ft 11+14 in
(1.81 m)
186 lb
(84 kg)
30 in
(0.76 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
4.45 s1.53 s2.60 s4.45 s7.15 s
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [15] [16]

Mukuba was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. [17] Mukuba signed his four-year rookie contract worth $7.16 million. [18]

Personal life

Mukuba has a son, Andrew Mukuba Jr., who was born in September 2023. [19]

References

  1. Raynor, Grace (April 19, 2021). "Andrew Mukuba is exceeding expectations at Clemson — but his path there left little doubt". The Athletic . Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  2. Yates, Carter (December 18, 2024). "Why Andrew Mukuba Came Home". Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  3. Shanesy, Todd (September 30, 2021). "Clemson's Andrew Mukuba: No challenge greater than what his mother faced leaving Africa". The Greenville News . Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  4. Chavda, Rinal (August 8, 2024). "Who Are Andrew Mukuba's Parents? Meet the Family of Texas Safety". EssentiallySports. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  5. Wilson, Dave (January 10, 2025). "Andrew Mukuba came home to Texas and helped save its season". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  6. Cantu, Rick (November 13, 2019). "LBJ's Mukuba plays football with passion, chip on his shoulder pads". Austin American-Statesman . Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  7. Samwel, Emanuela (April 26, 2025). "Andrew Mukuba: Age, Net Worth, Career Highlights & More". Mabumbe. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  8. Hood, Nikki (September 8, 2021). "From Zimbabwe to Texas to Clemson: Andrew Mukuba's story and mentality is different". TigerNet.com. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  9. Kornblut, Phil (October 1, 2020). "Clemson football recruiting: Andrew Mukuba commits". The State . Retrieved January 19, 2022.On April 25, 2025, Makuba was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 64th pick in the NFL Draft.
  10. Needalman, Joshua (March 10, 2021). "Clemson freshman safety turning heads in spring practice". Post and Courier . Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  11. "Zim-born Andrew Mukuba making waves in US College football". The Standard . September 12, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  12. Shanesy, Todd (December 2, 2021). "Clemson's Andrew Mukuba goes from benched to ACC defensive rookie of year". The Greenville News . Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  13. "Clemson DB Andrew Mukuba announces transfer destination". tigernet.com. TigerNet. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  14. McVeigh, Griffin (December 18, 2023). "Clemson transfer DB Andrew Mukuba commits to Texas". On3.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  15. Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Andrew Mukuba Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  16. "Andrew Mukuba College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  17. "Eagles select S Andrew Mukuba with the No. 64 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. April 25, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  18. Spotrac. "Andrew Mukuba | NFL Contracts & Salaries". spotrac.com. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  19. "Who is the mother of Andrew Mukuba? Meet Tshala Bilolo". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved June 14, 2025.