Michael Dwumfour Bio
Michael Dwumfour (born January 1, 1998) is an American professional football defensive tackle. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before entering the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and has since appeared for multiple NFL franchises as well as the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 ft 1 in tall and listed at 296 lb, he works along the interior defensive line.
Since turning professional in 2021, Michael Dwumfour has been a frequent presence on practice squads and reserve rosters, working to earn a stable role at defensive tackle. His journeyman path has carried him through both the AFC and NFC, providing him with a wide range of defensive schemes and coaching voices.
Early Life and Background
Michael Dwumfour was born on January 1, 1998, in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. He is of Ghanaian descent, reflecting his family’s West African heritage. He grew up in the same Scotch Plains-Fanwood school system as fellow defensive lineman Rashan Gary, and the two later transferred to different Catholic high schools to elevate their recruiting profiles.
After beginning at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Dwumfour transferred to DePaul Catholic High School, where he continued to develop as a defensive lineman. As a junior, he recorded 42 tackles and three quarterback sacks, and as a senior he posted 55 tackles and seven sacks, establishing himself as one of the top interior line prospects in the region. He was rated as a three-star prospect by recruiting services ESPN, Rivals.com, and Scout.com before committing to the University of Michigan.
Path to American Football
Michael Dwumfour’s path to American Football took shape through New Jersey’s high school ranks, where his combination of size and quickness made him a natural fit at defensive tackle. His standout senior season at DePaul Catholic drew the attention of several college programs, and he ultimately chose the University of Michigan for its tradition of producing NFL-ready defensive linemen.
At Michigan, Dwumfour worked his way into the rotation, appearing as a true freshman in the season-opener against Hawaii before expanding his role in subsequent years. By his junior season he was starting games and producing tackles, sacks, and an interception, and by his senior year he had become a regular contributor along the interior. Seeking a final season of significant playing time, he transferred to Rutgers in 2020, where he started eight games and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.
Michael Dwumfour Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Michael Dwumfour’s early career unfolded across two Big Ten programs. He spent four seasons at the University of Michigan from 2016 through 2019, steadily increasing his snap count. As a sophomore he played in nine games and recorded four tackles and one sack, and as a junior he appeared in all 13 games with two starts, finishing with 21 tackles, one interception, and three sacks.
His senior season at Michigan in 2019 saw him play ten games with two starts, making nine tackles and one sack, before he transferred to Rutgers for his final collegiate year. Starting eight games at defensive tackle for the Scarlet Knights in 2020, he tallied 25 tackles and was recognized with honorable mention All-Big Ten honors, closing out his college career as an experienced, productive interior lineman.
New York Jets Era (2021)
After going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Michael Dwumfour signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. He impressed in the first preseason game against the New York Giants, showing the quickness and leverage that had defined his college film. An injury shortly thereafter, however, led to his release with an injury settlement, ending his first NFL stop after a brief but promising preseason stretch.
Houston Texans Era (2021–2022)
Michael Dwumfour was signed by the Houston Texans to their practice squad on October 13, 2021, and was activated on December 25, 2021. He made his regular-season debut against the Los Angeles Chargers, recording a half-sack in the contest. He finished the 2021 season having played in three games and recorded five tackles.
He signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 11, 2022, securing a spot on the offseason roster. During the 2022 season, he was placed on injured reserve on October 12 before being activated on November 19, and he was ultimately waived on December 7.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022)
On December 13, 2022, Michael Dwumfour was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad, adding him to one of the NFC’s most respected defensive organizations. His time with the 49ers in that stretch was spent in a developmental capacity as the team prepared for a postseason push.
Cleveland Browns Era (2023 and 2024)
On February 7, 2023, Michael Dwumfour signed a reserve/futures deal with the Cleveland Browns before being waived on August 10, 2023. He returned to the Browns later when, on December 6, 2024, he signed with their practice squad, adding depth to the defensive interior during the late-season stretch.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023)
On August 16, 2023, Michael Dwumfour was signed by the Tennessee Titans. He was waived on August 29, 2023, and quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad. He was released on September 19, 2023, after a brief audition for a roster spot.
Chicago Bears Era (2023–2024)
On November 21, 2023, Michael Dwumfour was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad, providing depth along the defensive line. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024, securing a place in the Bears’ offseason plans, but was waived on August 26, 2024, as the team trimmed toward its regular-season roster.
Denver Broncos Era (2025)
On August 20, 2025, Michael Dwumfour was signed by the Denver Broncos but was waived five days later, closing a brief preseason stint with the AFC West club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Michael Dwumfour is an undersized but explosive defensive tackle who relies on leverage, pad level, and quick hands to disrupt blocking schemes. His college production, which included a Big Ten honorable mention at Rutgers, reflected an ability to hold the point of attack while also pushing the pocket, and his professional experience across multiple schemes has broadened his pass-rush tool kit.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable events of Michael Dwumfour’s career was his NFL debut for the Houston Texans against the Los Angeles Chargers, when he recorded a half-sack in his first regular-season action. Reaching the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, and later joining the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL, also stands as a defining chapter of his professional journey.
Michael Dwumfour Career Wins
Michael Dwumfour’s professional profile is built more on roster persistence and developmental growth than on headline victories. Across his stints with the Jets, Texans, 49ers, Browns, Titans, Bears, and Broncos, he has consistently earned practice-squad promotions and reserve/futures contracts, signaling that teams value his size and positional versatility at defensive tackle.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2023 season, Michael Dwumfour’s official NFL statistics include 13 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. His debut sack-split came with the Houston Texans, and he later added depth stops with multiple franchises while continuing to develop as a rotational interior lineman.
Other Performances
Michael Dwumfour also played for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League, joining the team on November 14, 2024, and being selected by the Battlehawks on January 14, 2026, before being released on March 19, 2026, extending his professional career into the spring football league.
Michael Dwumfour Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Michael Dwumfour’s family is limited, but he is of Ghanaian descent, a heritage that connects his upbringing in New Jersey to West African roots. He has not publicly highlighted a family lineage in professional football beyond his high school connection with Rashan Gary.
Personal Life
Michael Dwumfour keeps his personal life largely private, and no spouse or children have been publicly confirmed. He continues to be active on social media under the handle associated with his public Instagram page, where he shares updates on his training and career.
2025 Season Performance
Michael Dwumfour’s 2025 season has been defined by a series of brief stops rather than a single, settled roster. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers on August 7, 2025, but was waived on August 14, 2025. He then joined the Denver Broncos on August 20, 2025, and was waived five days later, capping a preseason in which he auditioned for two teams in quick succession.
Through the 2025 calendar year, Michael Dwumfour has also been listed in connection with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL, reflecting his continued pursuit of playing time in professional football. His journeyman arc through 2025 underscores both the challenges and the persistence that have shaped his career since 2021.