T. J. Fatinikun

T. J. Fatinikun
No. 96
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1991-07-28) July 28, 1991 (age 33)
Lagos, Nigeria
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:Perrysburg (OH)
College:Toledo
Undrafted:2013
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:12
Sacks:0.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Career Arena League statistics
Total tackles:25
Sacks:4.0
Forced fumbles:3
Pass deflections:2
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Ayokunle Olatunji "T. J." Fatinikun (born July 28, 1991) is a former American football defensive end. He played college football at the University of Toledo and attended Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio.[1] He has been a member of the Portland Thunder, Orlando Predators and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early life

Fatinikun played high school football for the Perrysburg High School Yellow Jackets. He was named first-team all-conference, first-team all-district and special mention all-state. He recorded 65 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks his senior year. Fatinikun made second-team all-league, recording 55 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks his junior year. In his Junior year, he also led the Yellow Jackets to their first State Playoff berth in school history. He totaled 73 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a sophomore.[2]

College career

Fatinikun played for the Toledo Rockets from 2009 to 2012. Fatinikun was named third-team All-MAC in 2010, leading the defensive line with 51 tackles. He also led the team and was ninth in the MAC with 13 tackles for loss. He suffered a season-ending elbow injury against Eastern Michigan on October 8, 2011, still making third-team All-MAC.[2]

Professional career

Fatinikun was assigned to the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League on October 18, 2013.[3] He was traded to the Orlando Predators on May 26, 2014.[4] He was placed on Other League Exempt on August 12, 2014.[5]

Fatinikun was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League on August 12, 2014.[6][7] He was released by the Buccaneers on August 29, 2014.[8] He was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad on September 24, 2014 and promoted to the active roster on October 21, 2014.[9] Fatinikun was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury on October 6, 2015. He was taken off injured reserve on February 8, 2016 and became a free agent on March 9, 2016.[10]

References

  1. ^ Thompson, Matt (May 6, 2013). "Perrysburg High grad T.J. Fatinikun to work out with NFL's Kansas City Chiefs". ourtownperrysburg.com. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "T.J. FATINIKUN". utrockets.com. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  3. ^ "Portland Adds Former Toledo Pass Rusher". arenafootball.com. October 23, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  4. ^ "Monday May 26, 2014". arenafan.com. May 26, 2014. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  5. ^ "Tuesday August 12, 2014". arenafan.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  6. ^ "Buccaneers, T.J. Fatinikun signs". kffl.com. August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Buccaneers sign defensive end T.J. Fatinikun". si.com. August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "Bucs release K Barth". bellinghamherald.com. August 29, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  9. ^ "T.J. Fatinikun". kffl.com. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  10. ^ "T.J. FATINIKUN". foxsports.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2015.