Jamree Kromah is an American professional football defensive end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and James Madison Dukes before signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in May 2024. Kromah has spent portions of his young NFL career with both the Bears and the New England Patriots, continuing to develop as a disruptive edge rusher at the professional level.
Jamree Kromah Bio
Jamree Kromah was born on June 14, 2000, in Houston, Texas, and grew up in Glenarden, Maryland. He attended Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, Maryland, where he began developing his reputation as a high school football player. After initially committing to play at Old Dominion, Kromah decommitted and flipped his commitment to Rutgers University. He went on to play two seasons with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before transferring to James Madison University for his final two years of college eligibility. Kromah was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in the fifth round of the 2024 UFL Draft while also signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Glenarden, Maryland, Kromah attended Charles Herbert Flowers High School, located in nearby Springdale. His early development in football came through the high school program, where he honed the skills that would eventually earn him opportunities at the collegiate level. His journey through the football recruiting process saw him initially commit to Old Dominion before ultimately deciding to play for Rutgers, a program in the Big Ten Conference.
Path to American Football
Kromah’s transition from high school to college football took an important turn when he decommitted from Old Dominion and redirected his focus to Rutgers. This decision placed him in the Big Ten Conference, one of college football’s premier leagues. After two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Kromah entered the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity that would ultimately lead him to James Madison University, a rising program that had recently moved up to the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
Jamree Kromah Career
College Career at Rutgers (2018-2021)
During his time at Rutgers, Kromah developed gradually within the Scarlet Knights’ defensive scheme. In the 2019 season, his first full year of action, he recorded seven tackles with half a tackle for a loss and half a sack. The 2020 season saw limited playing time as he appeared in just two games without recording any statistics. His final season with Rutgers in 2021 featured increased opportunity, as he played in 11 games and registered 10 tackles with one and a half tackles for loss. Following the 2021 season, Kromah made the decision to enter the transfer portal, seeking a program where he could assume a more significant role in the defense.
James Madison Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Kromah’s transfer to James Madison proved to be a pivotal step in his development as a college player. In his first season with the Dukes in 2022, he immediately made an impact, totaling 21 tackles with five and a half tackles for loss and three and a half sacks. His 2023 season represented a breakout campaign, as he established himself as one of the most productive edge rushers in college football. Kromah finished the 2023 season with 60 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. A standout performance came in week two of that season when he recorded three tackles for loss and two sacks in a victory over Virginia. His 11-sack season demonstrated his ability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks at the FBS level.
Chicago Bears Era (2024-Present)
Despite a productive college career, Kromah went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2024, earning an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He also was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in the fifth round of the 2024 UFL Draft on July 17, highlighting his draftable talent across multiple professional leagues. Kromah was waived by the Bears during training camp on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad shortly after. On September 18, 2024, he was signed to the New England Patriots’ active roster, providing him with early NFL regular-season experience. He was waived by the Patriots on October 8 and returned to the Chicago Bears on October 15, signing to their practice squad. He finished the 2024 season with the Bears and signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025. Kromah continued with the organization through the 2025 season, competing for a role on the active roster during training camp before being waived at final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He signed another reserve/future contract on January 27, 2026.
Playing Style and Strengths
Kromah plays the defensive end position with a 6-foot-3, 268-pound frame that provides him with the size and length to threaten offensive tackles at the professional level. His best statistical season came during his final year at James Madison, where his 11-sack performance showcased his ability to close on quarterbacks and finish plays. His college production, particularly the significant jump in his senior-year numbers, indicates a player who developed considerably throughout his collegiate career and possesses the tools to continue growing as a professional.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most notable performance of Kromah’s college career came against Virginia during the 2023 season, where he recorded three tackles for loss and two sacks in a single game. His 11-sack season at James Madison stands as the most productive stretch of his career to date, demonstrating his capability as a high-impact pass rusher. The dual-draft experience of signing with the Bears while also being selected by the Brahmas in the UFL Draft represented an unusual start to his professional journey, reflecting the evolving landscape of professional football opportunities for college players.
Jamree Kromah Career Statistics
Across his four seasons of college football, Kromah accumulated 98 total tackles with 27.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. The majority of his production came during his two seasons at James Madison, where he developed into a reliable starter and productive pass rusher.
College Statistics Summary
At Rutgers from 2019 to 2021, Kromah appeared in 24 games across three seasons, recording 17 tackles with 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack. His transfer to James Madison for the 2022 and 2023 seasons marked a significant jump in production. In 26 games with the Dukes, he tallied 81 tackles with 26 tackles for loss and 14 sacks, including his standout 11-sack campaign in 2023.
NFL Career
Kromah began his professional career with the Chicago Bears in 2024, appearing on both the Bears and Patriots rosters during his rookie season. He spent the latter portion of the 2024 season on Chicago’s practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract. His 2025 season saw him continue developing within the Bears organization as he worked to earn a more prominent role on the defensive line.
Family
Kromah was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in Glenarden, Maryland. Beyond his athletic career, he maintains a public presence through his Instagram account under the handle @jamreekromah, where he connects with fans and shares aspects of his football journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Kromah’s second year within the Chicago Bears organization following his mid-season acquisition in 2024. After signing his reserve/future contract in January, he entered training camp with an opportunity to compete for a more significant role on the defensive line. The Bears’ defensive scheme provided him with continued development opportunities as he worked to translate his college production to the professional level. Kromah’s performance during the preseason and training camp activities contributed to the coaching staff’s evaluation process as they determined the best combination for their defensive front. Following final roster cuts in late August, he returned to the practice squad, where he remained focused on improving his technique and understanding of the NFL game while contributing to the team’s daily preparations.