Defensive tackle Haggai Ndubuisi, shown playing for the Texans against the Panthers in August in Houston, was signed by the Bucs on Friday to a one-year deal.
Defensive tackle Haggai Ndubuisi, shown playing for the Texans against the Panthers in August in Houston, was signed by the Bucs on Friday to a one-year deal. [ MARIA LYSAKER | AP, 2025 ]
The Bucs’ search for defensive line help knows no borders.
Haggai Ndubuisi, who came to the NFL through its International Pathway Program with the Cardinals in 2022, signed a one-year deal with the Bucs on Friday.
Ndubuisi, 25, appeared in his first career game in 2025 with the Texans and recorded his first tackle. In addition to the Cardinals, he previously spent time with the Broncos, Commanders and Patriots.
The Nigerian-born Ndubuisi grew up playing soccer and basketball before discovering football watching a YouTube video when he was 18. He would bring friends and family to fields in Nigeria and try to reenact what he saw in those highlights.
He was discovered by Ejike Ugboaja, who, along with former Giants and Falcons defensive end Osi Umenyiora, co-leads The Uprise, which helps identify and develop American football talent in Africa.
After six months of training, Ndubuisi was invited to an NFL camp in London in late 2021. He also worked with former NFL offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley.
The Bucs lost defensive lineman Logan Hall to the Texans as a free agent.
Bucs offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma also was born in Nigeria and joined the team last season. He played in 17 games, starting two.
The Bucs also made official the signings of former Titans cornerback Kemon Hall and ex-49ers cornerback Chase Lucas to one-year deals.
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