John Daka (born December 7, 1997) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at James Madison University. He was the first player of Zambian descent to sign with a National Football League team.[1]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | December 7, 1997 Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School |
| College: | James Madison |
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Undrafted: | 2020 |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career NFL statistics | |
| Player stats at NFL.com | |
College career edit
Daka enrolled at James Madison University despite interest from FBS schools and got off to a slow start to his career with 23 tackles and one sack over his first two seasons.[2] He led the Football Championship Subdivision with 16.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in the 2019 season[3] and was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association first-team.[2] He played in 51 games for the Dukes, totaling 137 tackles, 47.5 tackles for losses, 27.5 sacks, four pass defenses, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.[3]
Professional career edit
Baltimore Ravens edit
Daka was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2020.[4] He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2020.[5]
New York Jets edit
On January 12, 2021, Daka signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Jets.[3] He was waived on May 3, 2021.[6]
Los Angeles Rams edit
On May 4, 2021, Daka was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams.[7] He was waived on August 31, 2021.
Chicago Bears edit
On January 6, 2022, Daka was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad.
Houston Roughnecks edit
On November 17, 2022, Daka was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.[8] The Roughnecks brand was transferred to the Houston Gamblers when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[9]
St. Louis Battlehawks edit
Daka was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the fourth round of the Super Draft portion of the 2024 UFL dispersal draft on January 15, 2024.[10] He signed with the team on January 23.[11] He was released on March 10, 2024.[12]
References edit
- ^ Neumann, Sam (January 14, 2021). "Jets sign NFL's first Zambian player to reserve/future contract". Jetswire.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "Scouting Jets edge defender John Daka". Gang Green Nation.com. February 4, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ a b c Greenberg, Ethan (January 12, 2021). "Jets Sign OLB John Daka to Reserve/Future Contract". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ Valente, Tom (May 6, 2020). "Press Release: Ravens Sign Three Draft Picks, Four Rookie Free Agents". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Mink, Ryan (August 31, 2020). "Ravens Waive Three Players, Place One on IR as Roster Trimming Begins". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ Greenberg, Ethan (May 3, 2021). "Jets Release DE John Daka". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ DaSilva, Cameron (May 4, 2021). "Rams claimed OLB John Daka off waivers from Jets". USAToday.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Rosters for all eight XFL teams: Full draft results and where Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant landed". ESPN.com. November 18, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
- ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ Rachuk, Stephen (January 15, 2024). "2024 United Football League (UFL) Super Draft Tracker". PFNewsroom.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "The UFL Agrees to Terms with 20 Players". UFLBoard.com. January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ "UFL Teams Set their Training Camp Rosters to 58". UFLBoard.com. March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
Further reading edit
- Wang, Gene (December 21, 2019). "JMU pass rusher could win it all after nearly walking away". Daily Press. Retrieved May 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Shaffer, Jonas (May 25, 2020). "From Zambia to the NFL: How family and football helped Ravens rookie John Daka find his way". BaltimoreSun.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.