Ex-NFL IPP lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi signs with UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas

| American Football | 02/03/2024

Former NFL International Player Pathway Program selected Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi has signed with the United Football League’s San Antonio Brahmas. 

The massive Nigerian player is still new to football as he was part of the NFL IPP Program in 2022 spending time with the Arizona Cardinals that year in the pre-season. After getting released in August of that year, the former basketball player rejoined the NFL International Player Pathway Program for a second shot.

It proved to be successful as Haggai was allocated to the Denver Broncos where he spent the entire 2023 season on the practice squad, this time making the change from offensive line to defensive line. It will be interesting to see how he does in the UFL as a raw prospect with sky-high potential.

The 6 ‘9″ offensive lineman was one of three successful Nigerians in the program in 2022 after attending the IPP combine in London. Ndubuisi was picked up by the Arizona Cardinals before the culmination of the program but was released before the regular season began.

As Ndubuisi left the program early last year for the Cardinals he is again eligible this year, despite not attending the combine in London back in the beginning of October of 2022. 

Ndubuisi first appeared on the scene in Abuja, Nigeria, at The Up Rise Academy in 2021 after being invited by former NBA star Ejike Ugboaja who runs the program in tandem with Super Bowl-winning and two-time Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora.

Ndubuisi immediately shone in Abuja, not only due to his sheer size and strength but also his quick feet and surprising athleticism for a big man. The 23-year-old began his football career in 2017 when he was noticed by American coaches at a basketball all-star game in Lagos, Nigeria.

Ndubuisi was unable to find success or recognition in the initial stages of his transition from basketball to football due to there being no formal league in Nigeria at the time. The young Lagosian almost gave up the dream and went back to street hawking (selling things on the street) before the call came from The Uprise.

After a grueling six months of training with Umenyiora, Ndubuisi, along with two other attendees, were invited to London for the NFL’s IPP in late 2021. Ndubuisi immediately caught the attention of the scouts and media eventually earning him a pre-season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022.

Read more about Haggai’s amazing football journey from Nigeria to the NFL. 

Haggai becomes the second NFL IPP alumni to join spring football as last year former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Donkor of Germany joined the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in February 2023 only to be released and picked up by the Arlington Renegades, also in the XFL. He was finally signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in early July 2023 but did not find his way on to the roster.

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and