Jamaal Westerman

Jamaal Westerman

African american male wearing white helmet and green uniform with "55" shown on the front

Westerman with the New York Jets in 2009
No. 55 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1985-02-21) February 21, 1985
Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school: Brampton (ON) Notre Dame
College: Rutgers
Undrafted: 2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
CFL status: International
Career highlights and awards
College
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 60
Sacks: 6.0
Forced fumbles: 1
Player stats at NFL.com

Jamaal Akeem Westerman (born February 21, 1985) is an American football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Rutgers and was named to the Second–team All–Big East team two times. Westerman played high school football in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at St. Thomas Aquinas High School before moving to Brampton, Ontario and attending Notre Dame Secondary School.

He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.

Early years

Westerman was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 21, 1985. He and his family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Westerman began his high school career at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Following his freshman season, he moved, this time to Brampton, Ontario, and enrolled at Notre Dame Secondary School. Westerman started every year he was there and led both the team and league in tackles and sacks.[1] After graduating from Notre Dame in 2004 he was considered a two-star prospect by Rivals.com. Rutgers, Boise State and Central Michigan all recruited him and all offered him scholarships. He eventually accepted Rutgers' scholarship offer.[2]

College career

Westerman received three scholarship offers from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) colleges before accepting one from Rutgers.

After redshirting in 2004, Westerman made a quick impression on the Rutgers coaching staff after recording six tackles in two games to begin 2005.[3] In the Cincinnati game, Westerman recorded a sack on quarterback Dustin Grutza which forced a fumble.[4]

Before the 2006 season, Westerman was involved in a car accident with teammates Willie Foster and Corey Hyman. Westerman and Foster were uninjured while Hyman required two stitches in his forehead.[5] On September 29, against South Florida, Westerman sacked quarterback Matt Grothe for a five yard loss.[6] After the month of September, Westerman had eight tackles and two and a half sacks.[7] Through eight games, Westerman was the team leader in sacks with six.[8] Against Connecticut, Westerman blocked a punt and recovered a fumble by Connecticut quarterback D. J. Hernandez. Both the punt and fumble recovery were returned for a touchdown. Westerman also recorded two and a half sacks in the game.[9] By the final game in the season, Westerman and defensive end William Blackford had a combined 59 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss with 10 sacks.[10] In the Texas Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats, Westerman sacked quarterback Josh Freeman twice and recovered a Freeman fumble.[11] Westerman was named second–team All–Big East following the season along with teammates Brian Leonard, Cameron Stephenson, Pedro Sosa, Jeremy Ito, Ramel Meekins, Devraun Thompson, Ron Girault and Courtney Greene.[12]

During spring practice, Westerman and two other starter defensive linemen missed the annual intersquad scrimmage due to injuries.[13] In Rutgers' 59–0 win over Norfolk State, Westerman recorded one sack on quarterback Casey Hansen.[14] Against Syracuse and South Florida, Westerman recorded two sacks which gave him six for the season.[15][16] Following the season, Westerman and Rutgers earned a bid to play in the International Bowl against Ball State. The game was played in his hometown of Toronto.[17] According to Westerman he received numerous questions from teammates about Toronto, including "What's the weather like?"[18]

Beginning in March 2008, Rutgers attempted to convert Westerman to defensive tackle,[19] so he could replace the departed Eric Foster.[20] However, Westerman ended up playing defensive end during the season.[21] Against Morgan State, Westerman blocked a punt and recovered the loose ball.[22] Westerman suffered a torn biceps against Louisville and was forced to sit out the rest of the season which included a bowl game.[23] Despite his injury, he led Rutgers with six sacks on the season.[24]

Westerman ended his collegiate career with 26 sacks, 141 tackles and 45 tackles for a loss. His career sack total ranked him third highest in Rutgers school history.[1]

Professional career

New York Jets

African American male in green jersey and white helmet holding a football
Westerman in training camp.

Westerman was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2009.[25] On June 9, 2009, Jets head coach Rex Ryan said that he expected Westerman to make the team's final roster.[26][27] He ended up making the final roster as an outside linebacker[28] and recorded two tackles and a sack in his debut against the Houston Texans on September 13.[29] On October 9, 2011, Westerman recorded 5 tackles along with 2 sacks against the New England Patriots but in a losing effort while the Jets lost 30–21.

Miami Dolphins

Westerman signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 15, 2012.[30] He was waived during the final cuts before ever playing a regular season game for the Miami Dolphins.

Arizona Cardinals

On September 1, Westerman was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals. After making just one tackle in five games for the team, he was waived on November 20.

Indianapolis Colts

On December 4, Westerman signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

Buffalo Bills

On August 14, 2013, Westerman was signed by the Buffalo Bills.[31] After appearing in 12 games with the Bills in 2013, Westerman was waived on December 10, 2013.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Westerman signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 17, 2013, after a season-ending injury to linebacker LaMarr Woodley.[32] He appeared in one game for the Steelers during the 2013 NFL season.

Cleveland Browns

On July 24, 2014 Westerman signed with the Browns. He was released by the Browns on August 30, 2014, as they trimmed their roster down to 53 players.[33]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

On May 7, 2015 the Westerman signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He appeared in 17 games in 2015, registering 17 sacks and receiving the Western nomination for Most Outstanding Canadian.[34] Unfortunately for Westerman, Ottawa receiver Brad Sinopoli would end up winning the award for Most Outstanding Canadian.[35]

Personal

Westerman's brother, Jawann, walked onto the Rutgers football team as a wide receiver after Westerman encouraged him to do so.[36] His other brother, Jabar Westerman, was a first round draft pick of the BC Lions in the 2012 Canadian Football League college draft and is currently a starter at defensive end for the team.[37]

References

  1. 1 2 "#55 Jamaal Westerman". New York Jets. Archived from the original on August 19, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  2. ↑ "Jamaal Westerman". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  3. ↑ "NCAA Canadians". CFL.ca. September 14, 2005. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  4. ↑ "Cincinnati 9, Rutgers 44". USA Today. November 26, 2005. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  5. ↑ "Jones's Backup Sample To Be Tested This Week". Washington Post. August 29, 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  6. ↑ "Rutgers 22, South Florida 20". ESPN.com. September 29, 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  7. ↑ "Canadians in the NCAA – 2006 Division 1-A Midseason Update". Slam! Sports. October 4, 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  8. ↑ LaPointe, Joe (November 8, 2006). "Defense and Confidence Go Together for Rutgers". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  9. ↑ McDonald, Mike (November 2, 2006). "Rutgers not pretty, but effective in win". Brick Township Bulletin. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  10. ↑ Easton, Andy (November 30, 2006). "Preview: West Virginia – Rutgers". Scout.com. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  11. ↑ "Rutgers 37, Kansas State 10". ESPN.com. December 28, 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  12. ↑ "Schiano, slew of RU players earn All-Conference nods". New Brunswick Sentinel. December 14, 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  13. ↑ Fox, David (April 22, 2007). "Rutgers closes spring amid new expectations". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  14. ↑ "Norfolk State 0, Rutgers 59". ESPN.com. September 15, 2007. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  15. ↑ "Bulls and Knights meet in Thursday night action". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. October 17, 2007. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  16. ↑ "Critical Big East showdown features Knights and Mountaineers". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. October 24, 2007. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  17. ↑ Ralph, Dan. "Brampton's Jamaal Westerman anxious to play in Toronto in International Bowl". The Canadian Press (Prince George Citizen). Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  18. ↑ Luicci, Tom (January 2, 2008). "Westerman is RU's answer man". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  19. ↑ Luicci, Tom (March 28, 2008). "Westerman may move to DT". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  20. ↑ Muench, Steve; Weidl, Kevin (August 25, 2008). "Big East team recruiting needs for the Class of 2009". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  21. ↑ Luicci, Tom (September 1, 2008). "Rutgers trounced, 24–7, by Fresno State in season opener". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  22. ↑ Myers, Jim (September 28, 2008). "Rutgers' Defense Gets A Shutout". Scout.com. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  23. ↑ Luicci, Tom (December 29, 2008). "Four Downs with Rutgers DE Jamaal Westerman". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  24. ↑ Franko, Kyle (December 1, 2008). "Senior sacks QBs, Rutgers records". The Daily Targum. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  25. ↑ "Jets sign 17 players, including Canada's Westerman". The Canadian Press (TSN). May 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  26. ↑ Cimini, Rich (June 9, 2009). "Jamaal Westerman expected to make Jets". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  27. ↑ Hutchinson, Dave (May 2, 2009). "Rutgers product Jamaal Westerman impressing at New York Jets rookie minicamp". Newark Star Ledger. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  28. ↑ Caldwell, Dave (September 9, 2009). "An Undrafted Rookie From Rutgers Plays His Way Onto the Jets". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  29. ↑ "NEW YORK JETS POSTGAME NOTES JETS 24, TEXANS 7". September 13, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  30. ↑ Vrentas, Jenny (March 16, 2012). "Former Jets OLB Jamaal Westerman agrees to one-year deal with Dolphins". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  31. ↑ Brown, Chris (August 14, 2013). "LB Jamaal Westerman signed by Bills". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  32. ↑ Twitter / steelers: We have placed LaMarr Woodley on IR and signed linebacker Jamaal Westerman to fill the roster spot.
  33. ↑ Pokorny, Chris. "Cleveland Browns Roster Cuts: The Final 53-Man Roster". Yahoo. SB Nation.
  34. ↑ "Bombers sign former NFL player Westerman to deal". TSN. The Canadian Press.
  35. ↑ "Redblacks R Sinopoli wins outstanding Canadian award". TSN. 2015-11-26. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  36. ↑ Luicci, Tom (August 12, 2007). "CB Anderson getting noticed". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  37. ↑ "Lions trade up, draft Westerman second overall". CFL.ca. Retrieved May 3, 2012.

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