Jamaal Akeem Westerman (born February 21, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive lineman who is currently a college football coach for Rutgers. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 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.
In the National Football League (NFL), Westerman was a member of the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. In the Canadian Football League (CFL), he was a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Montreal Alouettes, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Early life
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
Quarterback sack.
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.
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.
Before the 2006 season, Westerman was involved in a car accident with teammates Will Major and Corey Hyman. Westerman and Foster were uninjured while Hyman required two stitches in his forehead.
During spring practice, Westerman and two other starter defensive linemen missed the annual intersquad scrimmage due to injuries.[ ][ ] 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.
Beginning in March 2008, Rutgers attempted to convert Westerman to defensive tackle,
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.
Professional playing career
New York Jets
Westerman was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2009.
On June 9, 2009, Jets head coach
Rex Ryan said that he expected Westerman to make the team's final roster.
He ended up making the final roster as an outside linebacker
and recorded two tackles and a sack in his debut against the
Houston Texans on September 13.
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.
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.
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.
[ Twitter / steelers: We have placed LaMarr Woodley on IR and signed linebacker Jamaal Westerman to fill the roster spot.] He appeared in one game for the Steelers during the 2013 NFL season.
Cleveland Browns
On July 24, 2014, Westerman signed with the
Cleveland Browns. He was released by the Browns on August 30, 2014, as they trimmed their roster down to 53 players.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
On May 7, 2015, Westerman signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He appeared in 17 games in 2015, registering 17 sacks and receiving the Western nomination for Most Outstanding Canadian.
Unfortunately for Westerman,
Ottawa Redblacks receiver
Brad Sinopoli would end up winning the award for Most Outstanding Canadian.
He followed up his outstanding 2015 season with two more strong seasons in Winnipeg, compiling 65 more tackles, 15 quarterback sacks and three forced fumbles.
Montreal Alouettes
On February 14, 2018, the first day of free agency, Westerman signed with the Montreal Alouettes; joining his brother
Jabar Westerman.
Westerman played five games for the Alouettes, contributing with 19 defensive tackles and three sacks.
Hamilton Tiger Cats
On July 22, 2018, Westerman was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats along with international wide receiver Chris Williams and two first-round draft selections (2020, 2021) as part of a blockbuster trade for quarterback
Johnny Manziel.
Westerman played in eight regular season games for the Ti-Cats, registering 10 tackles before being placed on the 6-game injured list on September 28, 2018, with an Achilles tendon rupture.
Mid-way through the 2019 season Westerman was getting close to returning to action while recovering from his Achilles injury, but suffered a torn
triceps in practice, which prompted the team to place him on the injured reserve list revealing he would miss the remainder of the season.
Coaching career
In 2020 Westerman was named a defensive graduate assistant for Rutgers, under his former head coach
Greg Schiano.
Personal life
Westerman's brother, Jawann, walked onto the Rutgers football team as a
wide receiver after Westerman encouraged him to do so.
His other brother,
Jabar Westerman, was a first round draft pick of the
BC Lions in the 2012 Canadian Football League college draft.
External links
