Here’s the List of Nigerians Who Made the 2021 NFL Draft
Following the 2021 National Football League (NFL) Draft announced virtually, seven Nigerians qualified in the top 3 rounds. They include Odafe Jayson Oweh, Levi Onwuzurike, Osa Odighizuwa, Ifeatu Charles-David Melifonwu, Azeez Ojulari, Temidayo Jordan Odeyingbo, and Joseph Ossai.
See below for details of these Nigerians, who are set to begin their NFL journey this year.
Odafe Jayson Oweh, Baltimore Ravens
Odafe Jayson Oweh is a Nigerian-American football outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. The 6’5” R-Sophomore Class player was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 31st pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Odafe accumulated five sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 games (one start) for the Nittany Lions as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and was ranked among the top 100 overall recruits nationally, despite playing basketball until his junior year at New Jersey’s Blair Academy.
Levi Onwuzurike, Detroit Lions
Levi Onwuzurike is a Nigerian-American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the NFL. Levi, who played college football at Washington was drafted 41st overall by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. As senior at Allen High School, Levi was named the Dallas Morning News’ All-Area Defensive Player of the Year 2015. He also earned his first-team All-Pac-12 honours in 2019 and opted out of the 2020 season to accept an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
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Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys
Osa Odighizuwa is a Nigerian-American football defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He played college football at UCLA, where he was a first-team all-conference selection in the Pac-12 as a senior in 2020. The 6’2” R-Senior Class player was drafted 75th overall in the third round, by the Dallas Cowboys.
Ifeatu Charles-David Melifonwu, Detroit Lions
Ifeatu Charles-David Melifonwu is a Nigerian-American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the NFL. The 6’21/2” R-Junior Class player is the 101st pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Following a redshirt season, Ifeatu who arrived in Syracuse after a strong high school career led the Orange with eight pass breakups in nine games (eight starts). He started all 11 games played by his squad in the 2020 season and received third-team All-ACC honours.
Azeez Ojulari, New York Giants
Azeez Ojulari is a Nigerian-American football outside linebacker for the New York Giants of the NFL. The 6’2” R-Sophomore Class player was selected by the NYG in the second round, 50th overall of the 2021 NFL Draft. A former four-star recruit, Azeez who played in three games as a reserve while maintaining the year of eligibility, redshirted his first season in Athens and led the Bulldogs with 5.5 sacks in 2019. He was a co-winner of the team’s Most Improved Defensive Player award with 13 starts in 14 games.
Temidayo Jordan Odeyingbo, Indianapolis Colts
Temidayo Jordan Odeyingbo is a Nigerian-American football defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. The 6’5” Senior Class Player was selected in the second round with 54th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Dayo played in 12 games as a reserve in his true freshman season a year after earning four-star recruit status at Carrolton Ranchview High School in the Dallas metro area. He led the Vanderbilt defensive line in 2018 with his brother Dare, starting 10 of 12 games that was played that season.
Joseph Ossai, Cincinnati Bengals
Joseph Ossai is a Nigerian-American football defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL. Since moving to the US at age 10, Joseph has gone on to become a finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club’s Defensive Player of the Year and a top-150 overall recruit nationally. He started twice as a true freshman in 2018 and played 14 games overall. The 6’4” Junior Class player was selected in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 69th overall pick.
Congratulations to these achievers.