Western Michigan EDGE Nadame Tucker signs as undrafted free agent with Los Angeles Chargers

The anchor of the 2025 MAC champion defense is headed to the NFL.

Western Michigan defensive end Nadame Tucker, who came from relative obscurity and left a program legend, will head to sunny California as an undrafted free agent of the Los Angeles Chargers.

The signing was first reported by Jake Hefner of LAFB Network.

The New York City native was well-traveled throughout his college career. He started with humble beginnings as a JUCO prospect in Kansas, spending 2020 at Independence Community College and 2021 at Hutchinson Community College. After raising his stock at the JUCO level, he signed with Houston for the 2022 season. Tucker spent three years with the Cougars, and playing time was scarce. He recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss from 2022-24 before transferring to Western Michigan for his sixth and final year of collegiate eligibility.

It was apparent from Tucker's first few snaps at Western Michigan that the Broncos found the star of their defense. Tucker demolished Michigan State's offensive line in the 2025 opener, racking up three tackles for loss and two sacks in a Friday night showcase. He compiled a monstrous season stat-line, ranking supreme in the FBS with 21.0 tackles for loss while tying Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey for first in the country with 14.5 sacks.

Tucker was no stranger to accolades at the end of the season. He earned third-team Associated Press All-American honors, to become the first Western Michigan AP All-American since Corey Davis in 2016. He also ran home with the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and the Vern Smith Leadership Award (MAC MVP) — the first defensive player to win the latter award since 2018.

Individual success translated to team success. The Tucker-led Western Michigan defense allowed the ninth-fewest points per game in the FBS at 17.4, allowed under 126 rushing yards per game, and produced the fourth most sacks in the nation. The Broncos rode their defense to their first MAC championship since 2016, and Tucker had his fingerprints all over the win at Ford Field with 2.5 sacks and six tackles.

After exponentially elevating his stock in a standout 2025, Tucker warranted a Senior Bowl and NFL Combine invite. At the Senior Bowl, he produced five tackles a game-high two sacks, a team-high three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. At the Combine, the six-foot-one, 247 lb. defensive end timed well with a 4.73-second 40-yard dash, while recording a 33.5-inch vertical and nine-foot-eleven inch broad jump.

Tucker has been heralded for his skills in stopping the run, which he displayed to the tune of an FBS-high 22 tackles for loss in 2025. As a pass rusher, his top traits include his speed and bend around the edge.

Tucker's former defensive coordinator, Chris O'Leary, re-joined the Chargers this past offseason as the team's defensive coordinator, and was vital in getting Tucker to sign. LA could be the spot that can get the most out of Tucker.

Tucker will certainly have a talented room to learn from, which joins a Chargers includes rising star Tuli Tulipulotu, Kyle Kennard, Bud Dupree and fellow former MAC superstar Khalil Mack.

He'll have to fight for a 53-man spot in camp, as LA boasts a lot of D-line talent, but he has the production and the goods to at least be a special teamer or practice squad stash early on.