NFL Training Camp Spotlight: Zimbabwe's TJ Maguranyanga And His Unconventional Journey To The Pros

Forbes

2 days ago

As NFL training camps get underway and the countdown to a new season begins, most players chasing a spot on the 53-man roster arrive through familiar routes: college programs, draft picks, and well-trodden pipelines. But at the Washington Commanders camp, one story cuts against the grain.
Thabani Jehiel 'TJ' Maguranyanga didn't grow up in a Friday Night Lights town or suit up for an NCAA powerhouse. His path to the NFL started thousands of miles away, between Zimbabwe and South Africa, where American football was more fantasy than future.
"My favourite team as a kid was the Baltimore Ravens because of Ray Lewis," he shared in an interview with Forbes.com. "I was always attracted to football," he added, even though pursuing a professional career seemed out of reach at the time.
Maguranyanga explained, "There was never a pathway into the NFL," so he initially focused on trying to make it in the NBA. He participated in Jr. NBA programs and took basketball seriously. However, at 17, he admitted that "those hoop dreams died."
One door closed, but another opened in a way he never expected. Just as his rugby season in France wrapped up last year, the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program which boasts alumni such as Super Bowl Champion Jordan Mailata came calling. 'It lined up perfectly,' TJ said. This offered a leap into a whole new world, ushering him from the wide-open pitches of France to the disciplined, high-stakes grind of American football.
Bridging Two Cultures: Rugby Roots, Football Dreams
When it comes to sporting identity, South Africans live and breathe rugby in the same way that Americans are consumed by football. Maguranyanga, who made the switch from rugby to American football, understands this connection better than most. 'What rugby is to South Africans, American football is pretty much the same thing,' he explained. 'You can see how important the Springboks are to South Africa, well, the NFL is just as significant in the U.S.'
This cultural immersion was hard to miss. 'As soon as you touch down in America, there are football jerseys everywhere. You won't go a day without seeing someone wearing an NFL jersey.' The scale and presence of the sport struck him immediately, this wasn't just a game; it was part of the social fabric.
Beyond the fanfare, he noticed something deeper: a familiar sense of camaraderie. 'The energy of football and rugby is very similar in terms of brotherhood. That's something I recognised quickly.' However, where the two sports diverge is in how that energy is expressed. 'In rugby, we're encouraged to be more gentlemanly. In the NFL, players are allowed to have more fun with it. There's hype, there's swagger. I think that's something we don't really see in rugby.'
That flair isn't just for show; it's ingrained in the culture, even in the smallest moments. 'In practice, there's always celebration. When someone scores a touchdown or makes a big play, we celebrate that. As a team, we're very good at acknowledging each other's achievements.'
When asked if he had a celebration planned for his first sack, Maguranyanga laughed. 'I haven't been practicing any. My girlfriend asked me the other day, 'When you get your first sack, what's your celebration?' and I was like, 'I actually don't know.'' However, the anticipation is there. 'When it happens, we'll see. Something will come to me in the moment.'
Adjusting to the Demands of a New Game
The transition from rugby to American football was always going to be challenging, but for Maguranyanga, the biggest hurdle wasn't the physical shift. 'From a physical standpoint, I would say I was brought into the IPP program because I'm an athlete,' he confidently states. 'They believed I could compete at the same level as other athletes. So, from that perspective, I haven't struggled or doubted myself.'
The real challenge lay in the mental aspects, the steep learning curve of a new sport. 'Learning a new sport at the highest level, against the best players, is very tough,' he admits. 'Some days, I have to remind myself that I'm still learning. These guys have been playing since they were kids.' He recognised that certain elements, subtle nuances, instinctual reads, and the rhythm of the play, could only be developed over time and through repetition.
This mental grind intensified during his time in the NFL's IPP program. 'I expected a gruelling 10 weeks,' he recalls, 'and that's exactly what it was, the hardest 10 weeks of my life.' At IMG Academy in Florida, the conditions were intense: two-a-day practices in sweltering heat and humidity, far from home and loved ones. 'There were times when I would finish my day, realise that everyone back home was asleep, and feel alone. Yet, I still had to study my playbook. It required a lot of adjustment.'
For Maguranyanga, Jordan Mailata's journey through the IPP program has been a powerful source of motivation. 'What Jordan has done for the program is massive,' TJ explains. 'He set the standard, and set it very high.' From being seen as a rugby reject to captaining an NFL team and winning a Super Bowl, Mailata's story is proof that with dedication and hard work, international athletes can reach the pinnacle of American football.
TJ acknowledges the importance of strong support systems, noting how the Philadelphia Eagles fostered Mailata's growth into an All-Pro player and potential Hall of Famer. 'He's the best to ever come out of the IPP program,' TJ says, looking forward to the day he might face his idol on the field. Mailata's success fuels TJ's belief that regardless of background or initial doubts, perseverance can lead to extraordinary achievement in the NFL.
Life with the Commanders
Now a member of the Washington Commanders, Maguranyanga is adjusting to the grind of NFL life. 'It's extremely hot and humid here,' he says. But more than the weather, it's the structure that stands out. 'Our days are very long. I'm at the facility at 6 a.m., we practice at 8, and I'm only leaving around 5:30 or 6 p.m. That's before film and learning the playbook.'
For someone used to the rhythm of rugby preseason, where training wrapped by early afternoon, the NFL's relentless pace has taken some getting used to. 'There's such a huge focus on watching film and studying the game,' he explained. 'You have to be so dedicated to even have a shot at making the team.'
That intensity, both mental and physical, is part of what separates the NFL from any other sporting environment Maguranyanga has experienced. Yet amidst the grind, he's found an unexpected source of strength: the people around him.
'The entire building has been super helpful,' he said. 'From the front office all the way to the scouts. My coaches: Darryl Tapp, Ryan Kerrigan, and Sharrif Floyd, have been very instrumental in making me feel comfortable and pushing me to get better every single day.'
Veteran players have also stepped up to support the newcomer. Dorance Armstrong, a fellow defensive end, has taken on a mentor role. 'I sit next to him in meetings,' Maguranyanga shared. 'He's always helping me, explaining things if I have a question, whether it's in the classroom or on the field.'
But perhaps the most surreal support has come from one of the NFL's all-time greats. 'Having Von Miller join the team is huge,' he said. 'He's someone I've looked up to, one of the greatest ever to do it at defensive end.' Despite Miller's legendary status, Maguranyanga describes him as humble and generous with his time. 'He's always there to listen and take whatever questions you have. He's been super helpful in giving me advice on how to play certain techniques.'
From the outside, adjusting to a new sport might seem like an uphill climb. But inside the Commanders' camp, it's clear Maguranyanga isn't walking that path alone.
A Family Learning Curve
Maguranyanga has made significant strides on the field, but his journey into American football has also been a learning experience for his family. He shared, 'They've definitely embraced it, and they're enjoying the process of learning the game. I won't say American football is an easy game to pick up.'
This sentiment resonates with many international athletes who step into a sport filled with unique terminology, intricate rules, and strategic complexity. For Maguranyanga, the learning process has turned into a family affair. Watching games together has become a bonding experience, starting from a place of cautious curiosity.
His younger brother, Zachary, was not initially interested in football. However, a dramatic late-night overtime matchup between the Ravens and Bengals changed that. 'I actually fell asleep, and I woke up during overtime,' Maguranyanga recalled. 'When I came back, he was still awake at 2 a.m. watching that game. So I thought, wow, someone's really getting into it.'
Now, Zachary joins him in watching games and highlights, asking questions and picking favourite players. 'It's super cool to have a family that's just as invested in learning about the game,' Maguranyanga said with a smile. Their shared enthusiasm continues to fuel his passion for football, making every play on the field a moment they can grow into together.
Playing for the Continent
As Maguranyanga settles into life with the Washington Commanders, the former rugby wing from Zimbabwe is acutely aware of the significance of his moment and the responsibility that comes with it.
With American football gaining popularity across Africa, TJ is part of a new wave of athletes inspiring interest and reshaping perceptions of the sport. "Yes, and I hope I do a good job of being an ambassador for the game in Africa," he says. 'I already see many more people in Zimbabwe taking an interest in the NFL than there used to be.'
This trend mirrors the impact of African athletes in other global leagues. The NBA, for example, has seen passionate followings grow in countries like Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, nations that have produced world-class talent. 'When you look at the NBA, so many Nigerians and people from Congo and Senegal are attracted to it because there are players from their countries in those leagues,' he explains. 'Similarly, South Africans are more likely to watch the Premier League when they see a South African player.'
Maguranyanga believes the NFL's International Player Pathway program is accelerating this shift. With more athletes from Southern Africa entering the talent pipeline, the chances of seeing players from Zimbabwe, Botswana, or South Africa on the field on Sundays are higher than ever.
He points to the example of Mapalo Mwansa, a Zambian player who recently participated in the same program and was signed to the Carolina Panthers, evidence, he says, that the doors are opening. 'The NFL is doing a great job of growing the game, and I hope to continue doing my part,' he adds. This isn't just a hope; it's a goal. For Maguranyanga, representation is the spark. With each practice repetition and game snap, he aims to light the fire for someone back home who never thought this path was possible.
Beyond the Breakthrough: Building a Long-Term NFL Career
For Maguranyanga, the dream extends beyond simply making it to the NFL; it's about establishing a lasting presence in the league. When asked about his short- and long-term goals, his response is clear and focused: 'What drives me the most right now is to play. I just want to play.' This sentiment is rooted in both ambition and realism. He understands that there is still a long journey ahead, more learning, growth, and proving himself. However, he is also confident that becoming a consistent presence on a 53-man roster is within his reach. 'In the next three years, I'll definitely be on an NFL roster consistently. I don't think that's an unrealistic goal.'
TJ is part of a new generation of International Player Pathway (IPP) athletes who are redefining what it means to break into American football. The program has evolved beyond simply opening the door; it now focuses on building pathways for longevity. 'We don't want athletes to just be on practice squads for three years and then exit the league,' he says. 'We aim for them to have long careers, like Jordan [Mailata] is currently enjoying. That's my goal.'
The mission is longevity, not just entry. Maguranyanga isn't chasing a fleeting moment; he's pursuing a sustained career. In doing so, he represents not only himself but also carries the aspirations of a broader movement: international athletes striving to transform the narrative from 'developmental' to indispensable.