T. J. Maguranyanga

Thabani Jehiel Maguranyanga is a Zimbabwean professional football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. He was a former rugby union player as a wing for ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14 league before joining the NFL as part of the International Player Pathway program in 2025.

Early life and rugby union career

Maguranyanga was born on 22 December 2002 in Harare, Zimbabwe. He attended St Stithians College in Johannesburg, South Africa. Maguranyanga represented Zimbabwe at the Under-13 Craven Week in 2015. He went on to represent the Golden Lions at national youth competitions, playing in the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in 2018 and Under-18 Craven Week in 2019. In 2019 he represented Zimbabwe Under-18 Sevens side at the Capricorn Group International Junior Sevens Tournament in Windhoek, Namibia. He was selected as a team captain in 2020.

American football

Maguranyanga joined the National Football League 's International Player Pathway program in December 2024, signing with the Washington Commanders on April 3, 2025. He was waived on August 26, and signed with their practice squad the following day. On January 5, 2026, Maguranyanga signed a reserve/futures contract with the Commanders.