Julian Okwara

Julian Okwara
No. 58 – Arizona Cardinals
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-12-27) December 27, 1997 (age 26)
London, England
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:Ardrey Kell (Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.)
College:Notre Dame (2016–2019)
NFL draft:2020 / round: 3 / pick: 67
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2024
Total tackles:57
Sacks:9.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:3
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Julian Okwara (born December 27, 1997) is a Nigerian professional American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Early life

Okwara was born in London while his mother was visiting family, but raised in Nigeria. Okwara lived in Lagos and was raised in Lekki before moving to the United States when he was in the third grade. He attended Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He committed to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.[1]

College career

As a true freshman at Notre Dame in 2016, he played in 11 games, recording four tackles. As a sophomore in 2017, he played in 12 of 13 games, recording 17 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception. As a junior in 2018, he started 12 of 13 games, finishing with 38 tackles and eight sacks.[2][3] Okwara returned to Notre Dame for his senior season in 2019.[4][5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m) 		252 lb
(114 kg) 		34+3⁄8 in
(0.87 m) 		10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 27 reps
All values from NFL Combine[6]

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) selected Okwara in the third round with the 67th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft.[7] On June 9, 2020, the Lions signed Okwara to a four-year contract.[8] He was placed on injured reserve on October 21, 2020, after suffering a right leg injury in Week 6.[9] On December 22, 2020, Okwara was activated off of injured reserve.[10]

On December 3, 2022, Okwara was placed on injured reserve.[11]

Okwara was waived on January 18, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.[12] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.[13]

Philadelphia Eagles

Okwara signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on February 14, 2024.[14] He was released on August 26.[15]

Arizona Cardinals

On August 28, 2024, Okwara was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.[16] He was promoted to the active roster on September 11.[17]

Personal life

Okwara's older brother, Romeo Okwara, also played college football at Notre Dame and also played in the NFL for the Lions.[18]

References

  1. ^ Vorel, Mike. "2016 DE Julian Okwara follows brother to Notre Dame". Notre Dame Insider.
  2. ^ Hough, Austin (October 2019). "NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL: 'Matured' Okwara leading Irish defensive line". Goshen News.
  3. ^ "Notre Dame sack specialist Julian Okwara gets a boost from his mother's cooking". Indianapolis Star.
  4. ^ Pope, LaMond (January 5, 2019). "Notre Dame defensive end Julian Okwara will return for his senior season". chicagotribune.com.
  5. ^ James, Tyler. "Notre Dame DE Julian Okwara chased away doubts to put himself in line to chase down history". Notre Dame Insider.
  6. ^ "Julian Okwara Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  7. ^ Monarrez, Carlos (April 24, 2020). "Detroit Lions select OLB Julian Okwara at No. 67 in Round 3 of 2020 NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  8. ^ Birkett, Dave (June 9, 2020). "Detroit Lions sign third-round pick Julian Okwara to 4-year deal". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. October 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  10. ^ Schlitt, Erik (December 22, 2020). "Detroit Lions activate EDGE Julian Okwara from injured reserve". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  11. ^ @Lions (December 3, 2022). "#Lions announce roster moves: Activated Romeo Okwara from Reserve/PUP and Jameson Williams from Reserve/NFI, Placed Julian Okwara on Reserve/Injured, Elevated Ross Pierschbacher from the Practice Squad to the Active/Inactive List" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Ulrich, Logan (January 18, 2024). "Lions Activate LB James Houston, Waive LB Julian Okwara". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  13. ^ Booher, Christian (January 30, 2024). "Detroit Lions Sign 11 Players to Reserve/Futures Contracts". Sports Illustrated.
  14. ^ "Eagles sign Julian Okwara". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. February 14, 2024.
  15. ^ McPherson, Chris. "Eagles release 4 players ahead of final roster cutdown". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  16. ^ Urban, Darren (August 28, 2024). "Cardinals Announce Initial Practice Squad For 2024". AZCardinals.com.
  17. ^ Urban, Darren (September 11, 2024). "Cardinals Adjust Offensive Line After Putting Jonah Williams On Injured Reserve". AZCardinals.com.
  18. ^ Burlage, Todd (November 9, 2018). "Time, talent and legacy help latest Okwara shine for Irish". Associated Press. Retrieved June 21, 2023.