If you are a fan of the National Football League (NFL), you might have heard of two players with the same last name: Josh Sweat and Montez Sweat. Both of them are defensive ends who play for different teams: Josh Sweat for the Philadelphia Eagles and Montez Sweat for the Washington Commanders. But are they related by blood or by any other means? The answer is no, they are not.
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How Did the Confusion Start?
The confusion about the relationship between Josh Sweat and Montez Sweat started when they both entered the NFL draft in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Both of them had impressive college careers and were highly rated prospects. Both of them also had similar physical attributes: they were tall, athletic, and fast. In fact, Montez Sweat set a combine record for a defensive lineman by running the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds according to ESPN.
However, despite their similarities, they had no connection whatsoever. They did not share any family ties, nor did they play for the same college or high school. They did not even grow up in the same state: Josh Sweat was born in Chesapeake, Virginia, while Montez Sweat was born in Richmond, Kentucky according to Wikipedia.
What Are Their Backgrounds and Achievements?
Josh Sweat and Montez Sweat both had different paths to the NFL. Josh Sweat was a five-star recruit who was ranked as the top defensive end in the country by ESPN in 2015 according to Wikipedia. He committed to Florida State University, where he played for three seasons and recorded 138 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks. He also had an interception, five pass deflections, and four fumble recoveries. He declared for the 2018 NFL draft after his junior year and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round, 130th overall.
Montez Sweat was also a highly regarded recruit who committed to Michigan State University in 2014 according to Wikipedia. However, he only played two games for them before redshirting in 2015. He then transferred to Copiah–Lincoln Community College in Mississippi in 2016, where he had 39 tackles and five sacks. He then transferred again to Mississippi State University in 2017, where he played for two seasons and recorded 101 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, and 22.5 sacks. He also had a forced fumble and a pass deflection. He was named a first-team All-American and a first-team All-SEC in 2018. He declared for the 2019 NFL draft after his senior year and was selected by the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) in the first round, 26th overall.
How Are They Doing in the NFL?
Josh Sweat and Montez Sweat have both been productive players in the NFL since their rookie seasons. Josh Sweat has played in 59 games for the Eagles, starting in 25 of them. He has accumulated 153 tackles, 28.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, eight pass deflections, an interception, and a defensive touchdown according to ESPN. He made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 after recording a career-high 11 sacks.
Montez Sweat has played in 46 games for the Commanders, starting in all of them. He has amassed 164 tackles, 29 sacks, seven forced fumbles, 10 pass deflections, an interception, and a defensive touchdown according to ESPN. He also made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 after recording eight sacks.
Conclusion
Josh Sweat and Montez Sweat are not related by any means. They are both talented defensive ends who play for different teams in the NFL. They have similar names and physical traits, but they have different backgrounds and achievements. They are both among the best pass rushers in the league and have bright futures ahead of them.
