{{Short description|Zaire-born gridiron football player (born 1996)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Jonathan Kongbo | image = 2025, 03, Jonathan Kongbo.jpg | caption = Kongbo with the Edmonton Elks in 2025 | currentteam = Toronto Argonauts | number = | position = Defensive lineman | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|03|19|df=y}} | birth_place = Kinshasa, Zaire | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 4 | weight_lb = 260 | high_school = Kitsilano / Holy Cross | college = Tennessee | cfldraftyear = 2019 | cfldraftround = 1 | cfldraftpick = 5 | undraftedyear = 2019 | pastteams = * Winnipeg Blue Bombers ({{CFL Year|2019}}) * San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2020}})* * Winnipeg Blue Bombers ({{CFL Year|2021}}) * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2022}}) * BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2023}})* * Hamilton Tiger-Cats ({{CFL Year|2023}}) * Edmonton Elks ({{CFL Year|2025}}) * Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|2026}}–present) | status = Active | cflstatus = National | highlights = *2× Grey Cup champion (2019, 2021) | cfl = jonathan-kongbo/164863/ | pfr = KongJo00 }} '''Jonathan Kongbo''' (born 19 March 1996) is a Congolese professional gridiron football defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the first round with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 CFL draft.<ref name="draft">{{Cite web |date=17 May 2019 |title=Bombers sign fifth overall draft selection Kongbo |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2019/05/17/bombers-sign-fifth-overall-draft-selection-kongbo/ |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=CFL.ca}}</ref> He played college football at Arizona Western and Tennessee.
==College career== He was a three-sport athlete while attending Holy Cross Regional High School in Surrey, British Columbia, after transferring in grade 12 from Kitsilano Secondary. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Wyoming, where he was a redshirt in 2014 and did not play for the team.<ref name="three">{{Cite web |last=Dunk |first=Justin |date=22 October 2018 |title=Top ranked CFL Draft prospect, DL Jonathan Kongbo suffers season-ending knee injury |url=https://3downnation.com/2018/10/22/top-ranked-cfl-draft-prospect-dl-jonathan-kongbo-suffers-season-ending-knee-injury/ |access-date=20 July 2019 |website=3downnation.com}}</ref> Kongbo then transferred to Arizona Western College, where he was a junior college All-American in 2015 and a high-profile college prospect.<ref name="nash">{{Cite web |last=Boclair |first=David |date=6 May 2019 |title=Kongbo willing to give it a go in Canada |url=https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/ut-football/blog/21067343/jonathan-kongbo-willing-to-give-canada-a-try-after-being-selected-fifth-in-nfl-draft |access-date=20 July 2019 |website=Nashville Post}}</ref> The following season in 2016, he played college football for Tennessee as a sophomore. His junior year was his best year, with ten games played and 29 total tackles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williford |first=Billy |date=May 2019 |title=NFL Draft: 5 best landing spots for former Vol Jonathan Kongbo |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2019/04/23/nfl-draft-5-best-landing-spots-jonathan-kongbo/ |access-date=20 July 2019 |website=All For Tennessee}}</ref> In 2018, his senior year, he moved into the linebacker role; after six games, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the University of Tennessee against Auburn and did not play for the rest of the season.<ref name="nash" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Whiteman |first=Marc |date=15 October 2018 |title=Jonathan Kongbo suffers season-ending injury in win against Auburn |url=https://www.wate.com/sports/orange-and-white-nation/jonathan-kongbo-suffers-season-ending-injury-in-win-against-auburn/ |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=WATE 6 On Your Side |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Winnipeg Blue Bombers (first stint)=== Upon entering the CFL draft, Kongbo was at one point ranked the number-one prospect by the Central CFL Scouting Bureau and was eventually drafted fifth overall in the 2019 CFL draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.<ref name=three/><ref name="USA">{{Cite web |last=Lay |first=Ken |date=29 June 2019 |title=VFL Jonathan Kongbo on Winnipeg's injury list |url=https://volswire.usatoday.com/2019/06/29/vfl-jonathan-kongbo-on-winnipegs-injury-list/ |access-date=20 July 2019 |website=Vols Wire |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> He was signed by the Blue Bombers on 17 May 2019, and placed on their six-game injured list, hoping to play before the end of summer.<ref name=USA/><ref name=draft/> He played in his first career professional game on 1 August 2019, against the Toronto Argonauts.<ref name="Pro debut">{{Cite web |last=Wiebe |first=Ken |date=2 August 2019 |title=Bombers blow 20-point lead against winless Argonauts |url=https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/blue-bombers-blow-20-point-lead-against-winless-argonauts |access-date=8 September 2019 |website=Winnipeg Sun}}</ref> In his first season, Kongbo played in 12 games, recording 12 tackles and a sack. He played in all three of the Blue Bombers' post-season games, including the 107th Grey Cup game where he won his first Grey Cup championship. Kongbo was released on 5 December 2019, as part of a pre-determined agreement to pursue National Football League opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2019 |title=Bombers release DL Jonathan Kongbo to pursue NFL opportunity |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2019/12/05/bombers-release-dl-jonathan-kongbo/ |access-date=5 December 2019 |website=CFL.ca}}</ref>
===San Francisco 49ers=== On 1 January 2020, Kongbo signed a reserve/future contract with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nivison |first=Austin |date=31 December 2019 |title=Jonathan Kongbo announces signing with San Francisco 49ers |url=https://247sports.com/article/jonathan-kongo-announces-contract-with-san-francisco-49ers-141398653/ |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=247Sports}}</ref> He was waived/injured on 27 August 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 August 2020 |title=49ers Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-river-cracraft-kevin-white-waive-jaron-brown-jonathan-kongbo |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=49ers.com}}</ref> and subsequently reverted to the team's injured reserve list the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 August 2020 |title=49ers' Jonathan Kongbo: Shifts to IR |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/49ers-jonathan-kongbo-shifts-to-ir/ |access-date=29 August 2020 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> He was waived with an injury settlement on 4 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2020 |title=Jonathan Kongbo: Waived from IR |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jonathan-kongbo-waived-from-ir/ |access-date=8 September 2020 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref>
===Winnipeg Blue Bombers (second stint)=== On 7 June 2021, it was announced that Kongbo had re-signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a one-year contract.<ref name="release">{{Cite web |date=7 June 2021 |title=Blue Bombers sign defensive end Jonathan Kongbo |url=https://www.bluebombers.com/2021/06/07/blue-bombers-sign-defensive-end-jonathan-kongbo/ |access-date=7 June 2021 |website=Winnipeg Blue Bombers}}</ref> Kongbo recorded 16 tackles on defense and one more on special teams, plus 3 sacks during the shortened 14 game regular season. Kongbo also had three more tackles and another sack in the playoffs, during which the Bombers won another Grey Cup. Kongbo was released to pursue NFL opportunities after the season concluded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friesen |first=Paul |date=12 January 2022 |title=Bombers' Kongbo heads south, Kolankowski stays put |url=https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/bombers-kongbo-heads-south-kolankowski-stays-put |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Winnipeg Sun}}</ref>
===Denver Broncos=== On 12 January 2022, Kongbo signed a reserve/future contract with the Denver Broncos of the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |date=12 January 2022 |title=Broncos sign DE Jonathan Kongbo to future contract |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-de-jonathan-kongbo-to-future-contract |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}</ref> He was waived on 30 August 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |date=30 August 2022 |title=Broncos make series of roster moves to reach 53-player limit |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-make-series-of-roster-moves-to-reach-53-player-limit |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |date=31 August 2022 |title=Josh Johnson, Kendall Hinton among 13 players signed to Broncos' practice squad |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/josh-johnson-kendall-hinton-among-13-players-signed-to-broncos-practice-squad |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on 6 October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |date=6 October 2022 |title=Broncos promote OLB Jonathan Kongbo to active roster, elevate S Anthony Harris and RB Devine Ozigbo ahead of Week 5 game vs. Colts |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-promote-olb-jonathan-kongbo-to-active-roster-elevate-s-anthony-harris-an |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}</ref> He was waived on 11 October and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted back to the active roster on 31 December.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=Ben |date=31 December 2022 |title=Broncos promote CB Lamar Jackson, OLB Jonathan Kongbo to active roster, place OLB Randy Gregory on injured reserve |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-promote-cb-lamar-jackson-olb-jonathan-kongbo-to-active-roster-place-olb- |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}</ref>
===BC Lions=== On 21 May 2023, it was announced that Kongbo had signed with his hometown BC Lions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2023 |title=Lions Sign National DL Kongbo, Release Lemon & Herdman-Reed |url=https://www.bclions.com/2023/05/21/lions-sign-national-dl-kongbo-release-lemon-herdman-reed/ |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=BC Lions}}</ref> He was competing with four other Canadians for snaps along the defensive line; Mathieu Betts, David Menard, Joshua Archibald and first-round 2023 CFL draft pick Francis Bemiy. There were rumours that Kongbo was not happy with his place in the depth chart and he claimed others on the team were not acting professionally. Others in the organization claimed that Kongbo quit on the team and was not a culture fit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2023 |title=Neil McEvoy: B.C. Lions' culture clash with Jonathan Kongbo was 'missed opportunity' |url=https://3downnation.com/2023/06/06/neil-mcevoy-b-c-lions-culture-clash-with-jonathan-kongbo-was-missed-opportunity/ |access-date=7 June 2023 |website=3DownNation |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Hamilton Tiger-Cats=== On 5 June 2023, Kongo was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2024 CFL draft.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 June 2023 |title=Tiger-Cats acquire national defensive lineman Kongbo from BC |url=https://ticats.ca/article/tiger-cats-acquire-national-defensive-lineman-kongbo-from-bc |access-date=16 January 2024 |publisher=Hamilton Tiger-Cats}}</ref> He played in all 18 regular season games where he had 15 defensive tackles and three special teams tackles. He was released in the following off-season on January 30, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Transactions – Football player trades and signings |url=https://www.cfl.ca/transactions/2024/ |access-date=8 February 2024 |publisher=Canadian Football League}}</ref>
===Edmonton Elks=== After sitting out the 2024 season, Kongbo signed with the Edmonton Elks on January 13, 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |title=TRANSACTIONS: Elks extend West Division All-CFL lineman Ivey, sign Kongbo |url=https://www.goelks.com/2025/01/13/transactions-elks-extend-west-division-all-cfl-lineman-ivey-sign-kongbo/ |publisher=Edmonton Elks |date=13 January 2025}}</ref> In 2025, he played in 16 games where he recorded six defensive tackles and four sacks. He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 10, 2026.<ref name=2026T>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/transactions/2026/ |title=Transactions – Football player trades and signings |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=February 10, 2026}}</ref>
===Toronto Argonauts=== On February 10, 2026, it was announced that Kongbo had signed with the Toronto Argonauts.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Argos sign defensive back DaShaun Amos, defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2026/02/10/argos-sign-defensive-back-dashaun-amos/ |publisher=Toronto Argonauts |date=10 February 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Kongbo was born in Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo) to parents Joachim and Lily and has one brother, Joel.<ref name="Birthplace">{{Cite web |last=Wiebe |first=Ken |date=30 July 2019 |title=Bombshells: Kongbo set for CFL debut … LaPolice not concerned about Blue Bombers offence … Gaitor, Wolitarsky are in |url=https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/0731-wiebe-bombshells |access-date=8 September 2019 |website=Winnipeg Sun}}</ref><ref name="Province">{{Cite web |last=Beamish |first=Mike |date=3 February 2016 |title=Surrey's unintentional football star Jonathan Kongbo back on course for Tennessee |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/football/surreys-unintentional-football-star-jonathan-kongbo-back-on-course-for-tennessee |access-date=8 September 2019 |website=The Province}}</ref><ref name="gowyo">{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Kongbo Biography |url=https://gowyo.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1868 |access-date=8 September 2019 |website=Wyoming Cowboys Athletics}}</ref> He moved to Canada when he was five years old.<ref name="Province" /><ref name=gowyo/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tait |first=Ed |date=30 July 2019 |title=Kongo healthy, ready to step in |url=https://www.bluebombers.com/2019/07/30/im-real-ready-real-excited-kongbo-healthy-ready-step/ |access-date=30 November 2019 |website=Winnipeg Blue Bombers}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{footballstats|pfr=K/KongJo00}} *[https://www.argonauts.ca/players/jonathan-kongbo/164863/ Toronto Argonauts bio] *[https://utsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8662 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
{{Toronto Argonauts roster navbox}} {{107th Grey Cup}} {{108th Grey Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kongbo, Jonathan}} Category:Living people Category:1996 births Category:Players of Canadian football from British Columbia Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo emigrants to Canada Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo players of American football Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo players of Canadian football Category:Canadian football defensive linemen Category:American football defensive linemen Category:Arizona Western Matadors football players Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players Category:Winnipeg Blue Bombers players Category:San Francisco 49ers players Category:Denver Broncos players Category:BC Lions players Category:Hamilton Tiger-Cats players Category:Edmonton Elks players Category:Toronto Argonauts players