By Zim Sport Live Writer
Former Zimbabwe rugby international TJ Maguranyanga has signed with NFL team the Washington Commanders.
Maguranyanga, who was previously on the books of French Top 14 club ASM Clermont Auvergne, made his international debut for Zimbabwe in rugby Sevens at the Africa Mens Sevens in Mauritius last year.
The 21-year-old rising star was also scheduled to make his international debut for the Sables during the Africa Cup in Uganda last year but was ruled out due to injury.
He has joined the Washington Commanders as part of the after training for 10 weeks at the IMG Academy in Florida.
The IPP was established in 2017 to identify talented international athletes an provide them with opportunities to develop their skills in American football.
Maguranyanga turned his attention to American football after ending his rugby career in December after a three year stint in France.
The Harare-born star, who attended St Stithians College in South Africa previously played for the Golden Lions in the Under-18 Craven Week from 2015-21. He was selected as a captain of the Golden Lions in 2020.
Earlier in his career, Maguranyanga played in the Under-16 Grant Khomo. He also represented his country on the Under-18 Sevens side at the Capricorn Group International Junior Sevens Tournament in Namibia.
After switching from rugby union to the NFL, Maguranyanga will compete for a spot on the Washington Commanders roster as a defensive end.
He the second Zimbabwean currently competing in the NFL, Nate Landman, who plays for the Atlanta Falcons, having earlier played college football at Colorado.
In total Maguranyanga is the third Zimbabwean to have been signed by an NFL franchise since Stansly Maponga after his move to the Atlanta Falcons in 2013.
Maponga also had stints with the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos.