Eyioma Uwazurike

Eyioma Uwazurike
refer to caption
Uwazurike with Iowa State in 2019
No. 96 – Denver Broncos
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1998-05-06) May 6, 1998 (age 26)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:320 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school:Southfield-Lathrup
(Lathrup Village, Michigan)
College:Iowa State (2016–2021)
NFL draft:2022 / round: 4 / pick: 116
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2024
Total tackles:28
Sacks:0.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Eyioma Uwazurike (/ɛnˈjoʊmə/ en-YOH-mə;[1] born May 6, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa State.

Early life

Uwazurike grew up in Detroit, Michigan and attended Southfield-Lathrup High School.[2]

College career

Uwazurike redshirted his true freshman season due to academics.[3] He became a starter during his redshirt freshman season and had 27 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and one sack.[4] In his first full season as a starter, Uwazurike recorded 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference.[5] He was again named honorable mention All-Big 12 as a redshirt senior after finishing the season with 27 tackles, eight tackles, and three sacks.[6] Uwazurike decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and return to Iowa State for a sixth season.[5] He was named first-team in his final season after finishing the year with 43 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.[7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 6+1⁄8 in
(1.98 m) 		316 lb
(143 kg) 		35+1⁄8 in
(0.89 m) 		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 5.32 s 1.82 s 3.00 s 4.75 s 7.58 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)		 8 ft 11 in
(2.72 m)		 23 reps
Sources:[8][9][10]

Uwazurike was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.[11]

On July 24, 2023, Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely for gambling violations.[12]

Uwazurike was reinstated by the NFL on August 5, 2024.[13]

References

  1. ^ Heath, Jon (August 31, 2024). "Broncos name pronunciation guide for 2024 NFL season". Broncos Wire. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Rogers, Justin (March 4, 2022). "Overcoming adversities, Detroit native Uwazurike knocking on NFL's door". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  3. ^ Visser, Ben (August 16, 2021). "Enyi Uwazurike shares importance of Iowa State football senior speeches". The Gazette. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Montz, Dylan (May 16, 2019). "Iowa State Football: Enyi Uwazurike charged with misdemeanor theft". Ames Tribune. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Swain, Michael (January 7, 2021). "Eyioma Uwazurike to use extra year, return in 2021". 247Sports.com. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  6. ^ Visser, Ben (April 12, 2021). "Enyi Uwazurike taking on bigger leadership role for Iowa State". The Gazette. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  7. ^ Klassen, Derrik (April 16, 2022). "Eyioma Uwazurike NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Iowa State DL". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "Eyioma Uwazurike Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "2022 NFL Draft Scout Eyioma Uwazurike College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  10. ^ "Eyioma Uwazurike 2022 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  11. ^ DiLalla, Aric (April 30, 2022). "Broncos select Iowa State DE Eyioma Uwazurike with 116th-overall pick". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Gabriel, Parker (July 24, 2023). "Broncos DL Eyioma Uwazurike suspended indefinitely for gambling violations". DenverPost.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  13. ^ "DL Eyioma Uwazurike reinstated by NFL to Broncos' 90-man roster". DenverBroncos.com. August 5, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
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