New Face on the 53-Man: Patriots Sign Defense Top Star

The Patriots have filled an open spot on their 53-man roster by signing Haggai Ndubuisi, an intriguing player from the NFL’s International Pathway Program, who was previously on Washington’s practice squad.

A Nigerian native, Ndubuisi started playing football at 17 after discovering the sport on YouTube, as he shared in a BBC interview. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 298 pounds, he joined UpRise Academy in Ghana in 2021, where he caught the attention of NFL scouts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initially signed by the Cardinals as an offensive tackle in 2022, Ndubuisi switched to defensive tackle with the Broncos, and continued in that role with Washington this season. He likely impressed the Patriots during the preseason finale, where he recorded two pressures in 10 pass-rush snaps, as well as a sack against the Dolphins.

Though he hasn’t yet played in an NFL regular-season game, Ndubuisi is now part of Jerod Mayo’s active roster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a September interview with ESPN, Ndubuisi revealed that a key motivation for his football journey is his desire to bring his mother to the U.S. for better healthcare. She sustained a gunshot wound to her leg in Nigeria during his childhood, and despite years of treatment, the injury has caused ongoing complications.

“When we were back in the North (of Nigeria), she was shot in the leg… The wound just refused to heal properly,” Ndubuisi explained. “It went deep into her leg and made it hard for her to walk… I feel like this (football) could help me bring her to the States so she can get the best treatment, because she also has eye issues.”