Report: Former Wisconsin linebacker surprisingly makes Bengals 53-man roster

Former Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta is in line to make the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster entering the 2024 season, according to TheDraftNetwork’s Justin Melo.

Njongmeta has been a breakout player this preseason after signing with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft.

Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger currently on an NFL roster entering 2024 training camp

The two-year starter at Wisconsin totaled 29 tackles over three preseason games, 18 of them solo tackles. He also added two pass deflections and some strong special teams performance.

Njongmeta will enter the 2024 season as the Bengals’ third-string inside linebacker behind starters Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt and backups Joe Bachie and Akeem Davis-Gaither.

The former three-star recruit is the next in a long line of recent Wisconsin inside linebackers to make it to the NFL. He is taking the same path as Badger great T.J. Edwards, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a undrafted free agent in 2019 and is entering his sixth NFL season.

Njongmeta totaled 158 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 6 1/2 sacks, one interception, two pass deflections and three fumble recoveries during his time with the Badgers. He was one of the best players on Jim Leonhard’s 2022 defense before taking a step back under Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel in 2023.

Check back after roster cuts are finalized for a complete list of former Badgers to make NFL rosters for the 2024 regular season.

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