Valerian Ume-Ezeoke

Valerian Ume-Ezeoke
refer to caption
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke (63) during Atlanta Falcons Mini-Camp
Boise State Broncos
Position:Graduate assistant
Personal information
Born: (1993-02-14) February 14, 1993 (age 31)
Garland, Texas
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:Garland (TX) Lakeview Centennial
College:New Mexico State
Undrafted:2015
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Valerian Ume-Ezeoke // ⓘ (born February 14, 1993) is a former American football center. He is now a graduate assistant for the UMass Minutemen football program. He played college football at New Mexico State University.

Early life

Born the son of Anthony and Tina Ume-Ezeoke, Valerian attended Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland, Texas, where he was a member of the Patriots football team. Ume-Ezeoke played both offensive and defensive line for the Patriots, earning an All-State as a sophomore and junior.[1]

Recruiting

Ume-Ezeoke committed to New Mexico State University on September 2, 2010. He choose New Mexico State over football scholarships from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado State University, and Tennessee State University.[2]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke
C 		Garland, Texas Lakeview Centennial High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 267 lb (121 kg) –- Sep 2, 2010 
Star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 36 (C)   Rivals: –- (C), –- (TX)
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016.

College career

Ume-Ezeoke came in played in 8 games as a true freshman, starting six of those games. As a sophomore, Ume-Ezeoke started all 12 games for the Aggies. Ume-Ezeoke was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list as a junior, again starting all 12 games for the Aggies. As a senior in 2014, Ume-Ezeoke was once again added to the Rimington Tropher watch list[3] and earned All-Sun Belt Conference First Team as an offensive lineman.[4]

Professional career

Prior to the 2015 NFL draft, Ume-Ezeoke was projected to be undrafted by NFLDraftScout.com. He was rated as the twentieth-best center in the draft.[5]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m) 		302 lb
(137 kg) 		32.12 in
(0.82 m) 		5.45 s 1.75 s 3.10 s 4.82 s 8.15 s 30 in
(0.76 m)		 8 ft 10 in
(2.69 m)		 25 reps
All values from 2015 Pro Day Results[5][6]

Atlanta Falcons

On May 6, 2015, Ume-Ezeoke signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons.[7] Ume-Ezeoke was cut during the first round of Falcons' cuts on August 30, 2015.[8]

Arizona Cardinals

On January 5, 2016, Ume-Ezeoke was signed by the Arizona Cardinals to a future/reserve contract.[9] On May 4, 2016, he was cut by the Cardinals.[10]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On August 1, 2016, Ume-Ezeoke signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[11] On August 20, 2016, the Steelers waived/injured Ume-Ezeoke and was placed on injured reserve.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Meet the New Mexico State football Class of 2011". www.foxsports.com. Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. February 2, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  2. ^ "Valerian Ume-Ezeoke". www.rivals.com. Yahoo!. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  3. ^ "Three Named to Rimington Watch List". Sun Belt Conference. July 9, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  4. ^ "UL Lafayette's McGuire Headlines All-Sun Belt Conference Teams and Individual Award Winners". www.sunbeltsports.org. Sun Belt Conference. December 10, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, DS #20 C, New Mexico State". www.nfldraftscout.com. NFLDraftScout. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  6. ^ Gil Brandt (March 5, 2015). "Ume-Ezeoke of New Mexico State a late-round draft candidate". NFL.com. National Football League. Archived from the original on March 8, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  7. ^ Jay Adams (May 6, 2015). "Falcons Add 19 College Free Agents". www.atlatnafalcons.com. Atlanta Falcons. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  8. ^ Kelsey Conway (August 30, 2015). "Falcons Down to 76-Man Roster". www.atlatnafalcons.com. Atlanta Falcons. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  9. ^ "Cardinals sign four players to future contracts". www.arizonasports.com. Bonneville International. January 5, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  10. ^ Senor Raiz (May 4, 2016). "NFL roster moves: Arizona Cardinals release 4, including C Valerian Ume-Ezeoke". www.revengeofthebirds.com. SB Nation. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  11. ^ Popejoy, Curt (August 1, 2016). "Steelers add two, release two in training camp roster moves". www.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  12. ^ Dave Bryan (August 21, 2016). "Steelers Waive DT Roy Philon From IR With Settlement". www.steelersdepot.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016.