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Paschal Ekeji

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Paschal Ekeji
No. 54 – New York Jets
PositionDefensive end
Roster status
Practice squad
Personal information
Born (2002-03-19) March 19, 2002 (age 24)
Maseru, Lesotho
Listed height
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight
230 lb (104 kg)
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Paschal Ekeji
Born (2002-03-19) 19 March 2002 (age 24)[1]
Lesotho[2]
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[3]
Weight94 kg (207 lb)
SchoolGrey College
UniversityStellenbosch University
Rugby union career
Position Wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–2023 Western Province 2
2025 Sharks XV 2 (0)

Paschal Hans Uzoma Ekeji Jr. (born March 19, 2002) is a Lesotho-born American football defensive end of Nigerian descent for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the Formerly part of the International Player Pathway program. He is a former rugby union footballer who played as a winger for Sharks XV in South Africa.

Early life

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He is originally from Nigeria but grew up in Bloemfontein and played for Grey College and played rugby union for Free State in the Craven Week. He then attended Stellenbosch University.[4][5]

Career

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Rugby Union

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He was recruited by Western Province in 2020.[6] He played for Western Province U20 in the U20 Cup in the 2021-22 season.[7] That season, he also featured the senior Western Province side in the Toyota Challenge.[8] He went on to make his senior debut in the 2022 Currie Cup Premier Division for Western Province, making his debut against Lions in January 2022.[4][9] However, his progress was halted by a knee ligament injury which ruled him out of action for a year.[10]

NFL

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In June 2022, he attended the first NFL Africa Camp in Accra, Ghana. He was described as a "6-foot-4, 210 pounds" and a potential wide receiver who "looked the part in every way…the size, [he] was smooth in and out of his breaks and…very coachable".[11] In December 2024, he was announced as joining the NFL's International Player Pathway scheme.[12][13][14]

Return to Rugby

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Having failed to secure an NFL contract, Ekeji returned to rugby, signing with the Sharks ahead of the 2025 Currie Cup Premier Division.[15] Ekeji made his debut for the Sharks in the fourth round, against Griquas.[16]

New York Jets (NFL)

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Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dashThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in
(1.94 m)		233 lb
(106 kg)		34+5⁄8 in
(0.88 m)		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		6 ft 10 in
(2.08 m)		4.75 s7.29 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)		9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)		21 reps
All values from Pro Day[17][18]

On November 27, 2025, Ekeji signed with the New York Jets' practice squad as a defensive end.[19] He signed a reserve/future contract with New York on January 5, 2026.[20]

On August 30, 2026, Ekeji was waived by the Jets as a part of final roster cuts; he was re-signed to the team's practice squad the following day.[21][22]

Personal life

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His younger brother Pretorius Ekeji is also a rugby union player.[4]. Ekeji has the citizenships of Lesotho, Nigeria, and South Africa. [23]

References

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  1. ↑ "Paschal Ekeji". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "Inside triple-nationality rugby star Paschal Ekeji Jr.'s 'far-fetched' path to the NFL". ESPN. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Paschal Ekeji". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 "Ekeji back in action after injury". Varsitycup.co.za. 28 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "It's very much a full circle moment for me - Ekeji". ofm.co.za. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Pieke, Morgan (September 3, 2020). "White recruits well in Bloem". Bloemfonteincourant. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  7. ↑ "U20 Cup wrap: Mngomezulu wins it for WP". sarugbymag.co.za. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  8. ↑ "Western Province's next generation on show vs Cheetahs". Sarugbymag. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Loose forward shake-up for Province". Rugby 365. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "Paschal Ekeji back in action after injury lay-off". sport.sun.ac.za. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  11. ↑ Jones-Drew, Maurice (Jun 24, 2022). "First NFL Africa Camp gives young athletes chance to show off football skills". NFL.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  12. ↑ "Petaia, Stona & Sexton named in NFL's 2025 IPP class". BBC Sport. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "NFL announces International Player Pathway program Class of 2025". NFL. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  14. ↑ Cronjé, Hendrik (8 Dec 2024). "Matie winger gets NFL chance". Netwerk24.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  15. ↑ "Sharks snap up WP wing, via NFL". SA Rugby magazine. 2025-06-29. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  16. ↑ Westhuyzen, Jacques van der (2025-08-13). "Former Grey boy and NFL hopeful Paschal Ekeji to make Sharks debut". The Citizen. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  17. ↑ "Interesting Pro Day results from 22-year old South African rugby player, Paschal Ekeji". X.com. April 10, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Scouting New York Jets edge defender Paschal Ekeji". GangGreenNation.com. SB Nation. January 28, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  19. ↑ Allen, Eric (November 27, 2025). "Jets Sign DE Paschal Ekeji to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  20. ↑ Weir, Susanna (January 5, 2026). "Jets Sign 5 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts". NewYorkJets.com.
  21. ↑ Allen, Eric; Vogt, Amanda (August 30, 2026). "Final Cuts | Jets Move 38 Players to Reduce Active Roster to 52 Players". NewYorkJets.com.
  22. ↑ Allen, Eric; Vogt, Amanda (August 31, 2026). "Jets Add 16 Players to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  23. ↑ Solms, Leonard (1 April 2025). "Inside triple-nationality rugby star Paschal Ekeji Jr.'s 'far-fetched' path to the NFL". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
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