Patriots Add David Olajiga Via NFL’s International Player Pathway

The New England Patriots will move into training camp with an active roster of 91.

The organization has signed defensive tackle David Olajiga via the NFL’s International Player Pathway, as first reported Sunday by Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

A native of London, England, and an alum of The John Fisher School, Olajiga brings a roster exemption to Gillette Stadium. The 27-year-old appeared in one game as a tight end at Butler Community College in 2020 before transferring to Central Missouri. From 2021 through 2023, he totaled 98 tackles, including 20 for loss, across 32 games with the Mules.

The stay in Division II also spanned nine sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and four blocked kicks on special teams.

Olajiga, who was chosen by the Edmonton Elks in the second round of the 2024 CFL global draft at No. 10 overall, went unselected in the NFL draft last spring. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive lineman proceeded to join the Los Angeles Rams as a rookie free agent.

After being charted by Pro Football Focus for three tackles and two quarterback hurries during his initial preseason, Olajiga was waived by the Rams at the league’s cutdown to 53 players last August. From there, he signed to the NFC West practice squad at its formation.

Not counting against the 16-man limit, Olajiga served as the 17th member of the scout team during the 2024 regular season. He was retained by Los Angeles on a futures contract in January before ultimately clearing waivers in May.

The International Player Pathway has been well-connected to the Patriots. In the years after Germany’s Jakob Johnson appeared in 37 games, made 20 starts and scored a touchdown at fullback, New England carried Australian rugby player Jotham Russell on the practice squad as a converted edge-rusher last campaign.

The movement continued following rookie minicamp tryouts as the club signed former Virginia Tech defensive tackle Wilfried Pene, who was born in France, through the program. Yet his waiving at the end of June brought the offseason roster back to the standard 90-man capacity.

Rookies, quarterbacks and rehabbing players reported back to Gillette Stadium on Saturday. Since then, wide receiver Jeremiah Webb, cornerback Carlton Davis and safety Josh Minkins have been placed on the non-football injury list. Additionally, tight end Austin Hooper, wideout Mack Hollins, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe and linebacker Jahlani Tavai now reside on the physically unable to perform list.

The first practice of training camp under head coach Mike Vrabel is scheduled to kick off Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. ET.