Mayowa attended Inglewood High School, where as a senior defensive end, he had 75 tackles, 11 sacks, and one interception, while receiving All-league and second-team all-California Interscholastic Federation honors.
After not being heavily recruited because of his academic grades, he accepted a football scholarship from the University of Idaho. He was a backup defensive end as a true freshman, registering 6 tackles (2 for loss), one sack and one quarterback hurry. The next year he made 25 tackles (4.5 for loss), 3 sacks, one quarterback hurry, 2 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles and one recovered.
As a junior, he started 6 out of 10 games (missed 2 with an injury), posting 17 tackles (4.5 for loss), 3 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries, 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles and one recovered.
As a senior, he started 8 out of 11 games, making 22 tackles (7 for loss), 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, one pass defended and 3 forced fumbles. He finished his college career with 45 games, 67 tackles (47 solo), 11 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries.
Professional career
Mayowa with the Seahawks in 2014
Seattle Seahawks (first stint)
On May 13, 2013, he was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, after participating on a tryout basis at their rookie minicamp.[1] He played in the first two regular season games and was declared inactive for the rest of the season, as the Seahawks rotated their multiple defensive ends.[2]
On August 30, 2014, he was waived by Seattle during their final roster cuts.[3]
Oakland Raiders (first stint)
On August 31, 2014, Mayowa was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders.[4] On December 7, he recorded his first NFL career sack on quarterback Colin Kaepernick in a win against the San Francisco 49ers. He finished the season playing in all 16 regular-season games, while starting in 1, with 14 tackles and one sack.[5]
In 2015, he made 16 tackles, with one sack on Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in a Week 11 loss, as well as one forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. He played in 12 games, starting in 2.[6][7]
Dallas Cowboys
On March 18, 2016, the Dallas Cowboys signed Mayowa to a three-year, $8.25 million offer sheet. On March 22, the Raiders declined to match the offer, officially allowing him to sign with the Cowboys without receiving any compensation.[8]
He was placed on physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp, while recovering from a knee scope he underwent in June.[9] He began the season as the starter at right defensive end, until losing his position after Lawrence returned from his four-game suspension. His role began to be reduced and against the Cincinnati Bengals, he played less snaps than Ryan Davis. He was declared inactive against the Pittsburgh Steelers, after being passed on the depth chart by Davis, because he was not providing the pass rush pressure that was expected from him. He was declared inactive against the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins. He returned to the lineup against the Minnesota Vikings, experiencing an improvement in his play, while finishing with 6 sacks (led the team), making 4 of them in the last five games.
In 2017, he was limited at the start of training camp with knee soreness. Even though David Irving, Randy Gregory and Damontre Moore where suspended at the beginning of the regular season, Mayowa could not pass Tyrone Crawford on the depth chart at right defensive end. He suffered a back injury against the Oakland Raiders and missed the last 2 games. He finished with 21 tackles, one sack, 2 starts and was declared inactive in 2 games.
On March 7, 2018, Mayowa was released by the Cowboys.[10]
Arizona Cardinals
Mayowa with the Raiders in 2019
On April 23, 2018, Mayowa signed with the Arizona Cardinals, to provide depth while defensive endMarkus Golden recovered from a torn ACL.[11] He played in 15 games with four starts, recording 38 tackles and four sacks.
On April 6, 2020, the Seattle Seahawks signed Mayowa to a one-year, $3 million contract.[16] In Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, Mayowa recorded 2 sacks on C. J. Beathard, including a strip sack that was recovered by the Seahawks, during the 26–23 win.[17]
On March 26, 2021, Seahawks re-signed Mayowa to a two-year contract.[18]
On March 17, 2022, Mayowa was released by the Seahawks.[19]
