Maema Njongmeta Explained

Maema Njongmeta
Currentteam:Cincinnati Bengals
Number:45
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:9 March 2001
Birth Place:Cameroon
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:227
College:Wisconsin (2019–2023)
Undraftedyear:2024
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:

Maema Njongmeta (born March 9, 2001) is a Cameroonian-American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Early life

Njongmeta was born in Cameroon, and moved to the United States in 2004.[1]

Njongmeta's hometown is Buffalo Grove, Illinois and attended Stevenson High School. In Njongmeta's high school career he notched 196 tackles with 34 going for a loss, 19 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.[2] Njongmeta committed to play college football at the University of Wisconsin over other schools such as Iowa State, Navy, and Tulane.[3] [4]

College career

In Njongmeta's first two seasons in 2019 and 2020, he redshirted and only appeared in one game, where he recorded no statistics.[5] In the 2021 season, Njongmeta totalled four tackles over as span of two games.[6] In week three of the 2022 season, Njongmeta tallied his first career interception, as helped the Badgers rout New Mexico State 66–7.[7] In week eleven Njongmeta recorded a sack to help end a drive, but Wisconsin would lose to Iowa 24–10.[8] In week twelve, Njongmeta notched 2.5 tackles for a loss and a sack, as helped the Badgers become bowl eligible beating Nebraska 15–14.[9] In the Badgers season finale, Njongmeta had a career performance, tallying 12 tackles with 2.5 going for a loss, and 0.5 sack, but Wisconsin would fall to Minnesota 23–16.[10] Njongmeta finished his breakout 2022 season with 95 tackles with 11.5 being for a loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception.[11] For his performance on the season, Njongmeta was named third team all-Big Ten by the media.[12] [13] Ahead of the 2023 season, Njongmeta was named to the watch list for multiple awards: the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Rotary Lombardi Award, the Bednarik Award, and the Butkus Award.[14] [15] [16] [17]

College statistics

SeasonTeamGamesTacklesInt & Fum
GP GS Solo Ast Cmb TfL Yds Sck Int PD FF FR
Wisconsin0 0 Redshirted
Wisconsin1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Wisconsin6 0 2 2 4 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Wisconsin13 11 48 47 95 11.5 40 3.5 1 1 0 0
Wisconsin13 10 30 29 59 8.5 16 3.0 0 1 0 3
Career 33 21 80 78 158 20.0 56 6.5 1 2 0 3

Professional career

Njongmeta signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024.[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The greater meaning behind Wisconsin football's most interesting name . badgerextra.com . 21 August 2024.
  2. Web site: Maema Njongmeta's Football Stats . MaxPreps.com . 25 August 2023.
  3. Web site: Flood . Evan . Njongmeta Commits to Wisconsin . 247Sports . 25 August 2023.
  4. Web site: Pope . LaMond . On Wisconsin: Stevenson linebacker Maema Njongmeta verbally commits to play for the Badgers . The Chicago Tribune . 25 August 2023.
  5. Web site: Maema Njongmeta . Wisconsin Badgers University Athletics . 25 August 2023.
  6. Web site: Maema Njongmeta 2021 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 25 August 2023.
  7. Web site: Madsen . Tamira . Allen’s 3 TDs spark Wisconsin in 66-7 rout of New Mexico St. . AP News . 25 August 2023.
  8. Web site: Belz . Mtt . Wisconsin falls to Iowa 24-10 in a mistake-filled loss . Sports Illustrated . 25 August 2023.
  9. Web site: Belz . Matt . Wisconsin is going bowling after a 15-14 comeback win at Nebraska . Sports Illustrated . 25 August 2023.
  10. Web site: Belz . Matt . Game recap: Wisconsin loses at home to Minnesota 23-16 . Sports Illustrated . 25 August 2023.
  11. Web site: Maema Njongmeta 2022 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 25 August 2023.
  12. Web site: Viviani . Nick . Badgers’ Herbig named to All-Big Ten first team . NBC15 . 25 August 2023.
  13. Web site: Badgers LB Herbig named consensus first-team All-Big Ten . Bally Sports . 25 August 2023.
  14. Web site: Hanley . Zach . Mordecai, Allen named to Maxwell award watch list . Fox47 . 26 August 2023.
  15. Web site: Olinger . Daniel . Indiana's Aaron Casey Named to Butkus Award Preseason Watch List . Sports Illustrated . 26 August 2023.
  16. Web site: Olinger . Daniel . Indiana's Andre Carter Named to Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List . Sports Illustrated . 26 August 2023.
  17. Web site: Low . Asher . Wisconsin LB Maema Njongmeta named to another watch list . Yahoo Sports . 26 August 2023.
  18. Web site: Bengals Sign 14 College Free Agents. Bengals.com. May 10, 2024.