T. J. Maguranyanga

Last updated

T. J. Maguranyanga
TJ Maguranyanga.jpg
Maguranyanga with the Washington Commanders in 2025
No. 59 – Washington Commanders
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (2002-12-22) 22 December 2002 (age 22)
Harare, Zimbabwe
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school: St Stithians College (Johannesburg, South Africa)
NFL draft: 2025: undrafted
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: International Player Pathway
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Other
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020–2021 Golden Lions 0 (0)
2021–2024 Clermont Auvergne 1 (0)

Thabani Jehiel Maguranyanga (born 22 December 2002) is a Zimbabwean professional football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He was a former rugby union player as a wing for ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14 league before joining the NFL as part of the International Player Pathway program in 2025.

Contents

Early life and rugby union career

Maguranyanga was born on 22 December 2002 in Harare, Zimbabwe. He attended St Stithians College in Johannesburg, the capital of South Africa. Maguranyanga represented Zimbabwe at the Under-13 Craven Week in 2015. [1] He went on to represent the Golden Lions at national youth competitions, playing in the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in 2018 and Under-18 Craven Week in 2019. [2] [3] In 2019 he represented Zimbabwe Under-18 Sevens side at the Capricorn Group International Junior Sevens Tournament in Windhoek, Namibia. He was selected as a team captain in 2020.[ citation needed ]

American football

Maguranyanga joined the National Football League (NFL)'s International Player Pathway program in December 2024, signing with the Washington Commanders on April 3, 2025. [4] [5] He was waived on August 26, 2025, and signed with their practice squad the following day. [6] [7]

References

  1. "Old Mutual U13 Young Sables Start Slow In White River – School Sports Network". www.ssn.co.zw. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  2. "Craven Week Teams, 2019". rugby365.com. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  3. "Golden Lions Craven Week, Academy Week, Grant Khomo Week teams 2019 – SchoolBoyRugby Blog" . Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  4. "NFL announces International Player Pathway program Class of 2025". National Football League. 9 December 2024.
  5. "Commanders sign DE T.J. Maguranyanga". Commanders.com. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  6. Selby, Zach (26 August 2025). "Commanders place Sam Cosmi on Reserve/PUP list; release 30 players". Commanders.com.
  7. Selby, Zach (27 August 2025). "Commanders sign 14 players to practice squad". Commanders.com. Retrieved 27 August 2025.