T.J. Maguranyanga has quickly moved from a pro rugby player learning American football to a player competing for a spot on the Commanders’ roster (Joe Glorioso/All Pro Reels)
ASHBURN, Va. — Dan Quinn began his assessment of the Washington Commanders’ offseason program by highlighting players who stood out.
The list wasn’t filled with headliners.
Free-agent additions K’Lavon Chaisson and Rachaad White drew praise. So did young defenders Johnny Newton, Kain Medrano and Jordan Magee. Veteran receiver Van Jefferson and undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley also earned mentions.
The first name Quinn volunteered, however, belonged to a player almost nobody asks about.
Maybe it’s time everyone stops overlooking T.J. Maguranyanga.
“I thought he’s one that’s improved,” Quinn said of the second-year defensive end before the team dispersed for its summer break.
On a roster filled with proven veterans and recent draft picks expected to contribute immediately, the unsolicited mention of the former professional rugby player carried weight.
So did elevating Maguranyanga from the practice squad last season for Washington’s Week 13 home game against the Denver Broncos. He became one of the few International Player Pathway participants to appear in a regular-season game during his first year.
Maguranyanga, 23, struggled to describe what it felt like running onto the field for Sunday Night Football.
“It didn’t feel real,” he said. “It felt like I was in a dream.”
What happens next may be even more interesting.
A year ago, the 6-foot-4 edge defender from Zimbabwe wasn’t trying to win one-on-one pass-rush drills.
He was trying to learn football.
Most players entering the NFL spend their rookie seasons honing techniques developed over a decade in a game they’ve played since the pee-wee level.
The NFL wasn’t a totally foreign concept for Maguranyanga. He grew up watching the sport, latching on to Ravens Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis as a favorite player.
After playing professional rugby for ASM Clermont Auvergne in France’s Top 14 league, Maguranyanga watched an NFL documentary about the International Player Pathway program and decided to pursue football.
Established in 2017, the International Player Pathway program gives international athletes a roster exemption while they learn football. Only a handful have appeared in regular-season games, including former Washington players Efe Obada, Sammis Reyes and David Bada.
Speaking with Last Man Standig last season, Maguranyanga said the Commanders made clear they didn’t view him as a long-term project.
“They made it very clear from the time I got signed and coming out of training camp that this isn’t just a three-year IPP program for me, but trying to see how they can use me this season,” Maguranyanga said.