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John Daka

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John Daka
refer to caption
Daka with the Houston Roughnecks in 2023
Personal information
Born: (1997-12-07) December 7, 1997 (age 26)
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.
College:James Madison
Position:Defensive lineman
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Daka (born December 7, 1997) is an American professional football defensive lineman 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]

College career

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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

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
6 ft 1+3⁄4 in
(1.87 m) 		227 lb
(103 kg)
Values from Pro Day[4]

Baltimore Ravens

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Daka was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2020.[5] He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2020.[6]

New York Jets

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On January 12, 2021, Daka signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Jets.[3] He was waived on May 3, 2021.[7]

Los Angeles Rams

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On May 4, 2021, Daka was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams.[8] He was waived on August 31, 2021.

Chicago Bears

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On January 6, 2022, Daka was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad.

Houston Roughnecks

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On November 17, 2022, Daka was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.[9] The Roughnecks brand was transferred to the Houston Gamblers when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[10]

St. Louis Battlehawks

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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.[11] He signed with the team on January 23.[12] He was released on March 10, 2024.[13]

Toronto Argonauts

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Daka signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League on April 29, 2024 as a defensive lineman. He was placed on the reserve/suspended list on May 12, 2024.[14] He was eventually released from his contract on September 16, 2024.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Neumann, Sam (January 14, 2021). "Jets sign NFL's first Zambian player to reserve/future contract". Jetswire.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Scouting Jets edge defender John Daka". Gang Green Nation.com. February 4, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Greenberg, Ethan (January 12, 2021). "Jets Sign OLB John Daka to Reserve/Future Contract". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout John Daka College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Valente, Tom (May 6, 2020). "Press Release: Ravens Sign Three Draft Picks, Four Rookie Free Agents". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Mink, Ryan (August 31, 2020). "Ravens Waive Three Players, Place One on IR as Roster Trimming Begins". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  7. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (May 3, 2021). "Jets Release DE John Daka". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  8. ^ DaSilva, Cameron (May 4, 2021). "Rams claimed OLB John Daka off waivers from Jets". USAToday.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Rachuk, Stephen (January 15, 2024). "2024 United Football League (UFL) Super Draft Tracker". PFNewsroom.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "The UFL Agrees to Terms with 20 Players". UFLBoard.com. January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  13. ^ "UFL Teams Set their Training Camp Rosters to 58". UFLBoard.com. March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  14. ^ "John Daka". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved September 17, 2024.

Further reading

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[edit]
  • Media related to John Daka at Wikimedia Commons
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