Jamaal Westerman
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Career Summary
Jamaal Westerman was a Rutgers defensive end who played 58 NFL games and later spent four seasons in the CFL before returning to Rutgers' football staff.
Westerman was a productive pass rusher at Rutgers from 2005 through 2008. He signed with the New York Jets in 2009 and subsequently played for Indianapolis, Arizona, Buffalo and Pittsburgh before continuing his career in the CFL and joining Rutgers' staff.
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Early Life
Westerman was born in Brooklyn, New York, later moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and played high-school football in Brampton, Ontario.
Westerman was born in Brooklyn before moving to Fort Lauderdale. He finished his high-school football career at Notre Dame Academic in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
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High School
At Notre Dame Secondary School in Brampton, Westerman led his league in sacks, tackles and tackles for loss as a senior.
Westerman played his freshman high-school season at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale before attending Notre Dame Secondary School in Brampton. The Cardinals' game notes report that he led his league in sacks, tackles and tackles for loss as a senior.
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College Career
Westerman recorded 141 tackles, 44.5 tackles for loss and 26 sacks in 50 games at Rutgers, ranking third in school history in sacks.
Westerman was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at Rutgers. His career totals of 141 tackles, 44.5 tackles for loss and 26 sacks rank him third in program history for sacks, and he helped four Rutgers teams reach bowl games.
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Path to the NFL
The New York Jets signed Westerman in 2009 after his Rutgers career.
Westerman began his professional career with the Jets after leaving Rutgers. He made his NFL debut at Houston on September 13, 2009, recording his first sack and two tackles.
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NFL Career
Westerman appeared in 58 NFL games, including three starts, for the Jets, Colts, Cardinals, Bills and Steelers from 2009 through 2013.
Westerman played 36 games with the Jets before continuing with Indianapolis, Arizona, Buffalo and Pittsburgh. NFL statistics list 58 career games and three starts, while Rutgers identifies all five NFL teams for which he appeared.
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Career Accomplishments
Westerman was a two-time All-Big East selection and earned Rutgers' David Bender Award in 2008.
Westerman earned second-team All-Big East recognition in 2006 and 2008. Rutgers also awarded him the David Bender Award after his senior season.
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Playing Style
Westerman was a productive edge defender whose Rutgers career was defined by consistent sacks and tackles for loss.
Westerman's pass-rush production made him one of Rutgers' most effective defensive ends. He entered his senior season fourth in school history with 21.5 career sacks after an eight-sack, 14-tackle-for-loss junior campaign.
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Legacy
Westerman ranks among Rutgers' all-time sack leaders and added CFL all-star recognition with Winnipeg after his NFL career.
Westerman's 26 sacks rank third in Rutgers history. He later recorded 17 sacks for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL and earned all-star status, extending a career built on pressure and production.
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Post-Career
Westerman returned to Rutgers football as a quality-control staff member and now serves as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
After his playing career, Westerman joined Rutgers as a quality-control staff member in 2021. Rutgers lists him as an assistant strength and conditioning coach on its current football staff.
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22278, 00-0026662, 1985-02-21, Jamaal Westerman, Jamaal, Westerman
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