Chigozie Anusiem

Last updated
Chigozie Anusiem
No. 35 – Cleveland Browns
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2000-11-05) November 5, 2000 (age 24)
La Habra, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Sonora (La Habra)
College:
Undrafted: 2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Chigozie Anusiem (born November 5, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and Colorado State Rams and signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024.

Contents

Early life

Anusiem was born on November 5, 2000, in La Habra, California. [1] He was the fourth of five children and the son of immigrants from Nigeria. [1] He grew up in California and started playing football at age six. [1] He attended Sonora High School in La Habra where he participated in football and track and field. [2] With the football team, he won three varsity letters and was a two-way player at defensive back and wide receiver. [1]

Anusiem moved from safety to cornerback as a sophomore and won a starting role. [1] He was named second-team All-League as a junior and helped Sonora reach the state playoffs as a senior, posting 30 receptions for 605 yards and 13 touchdowns along with 35 tackles and four interceptions that year. [1] A three-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the California Golden Bears. [1]

College career

As a freshman in 2018, he redshirted, appearing in two games while posting no statistics. [1] The following year, he appeared in 12 games, one as a starter, and tallied 15 tackles and five passes defended. [1] In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, he played in four games, two as a starter, making 12 tackles. [1] He played in seven games in 2021, missing five games, and made 13 tackles, before entering the NCAA transfer portal in November. [1] He concluded his tenure with the Golden Bears having made 40 tackles and six pass breakups in 25 games played, six of which he started. [3]

After receiving his degree, Anusiem initially transferred to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors to continue his career. [1] However, after the resignation of Todd Graham four days after his commitment, he opted to re-enter the transfer portal. [1] He ended up transferring to the Colorado State Rams. [1] In his first season there, 2022, he posted 36 tackles and nine pass breakups, being named honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference (MWC). [1] As a senior in 2023, he totaled 57 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), three passes defended and an interception, while being named honorable mention All-MWC for the second time. [1] [3] He was invited to the 2024 East–West Shrine Bowl at the conclusion of his collegiate career. [1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+18 in
(1.86 m)
200 lb
(91 kg)
32+14 in
(0.82 m)
8+58 in
(0.22 m)
4.40 s1.57 s2.49 s4.42 s7.06 s37.5 in
(0.95 m)
10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)
14 reps
All values from Pro Day [4]

Washington Commanders

Anusiem signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2024. [5] [6] He was waived on August 27, 2024, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. [7] [8]

Cleveland Browns

Anusiem was signed off the Commanders' practice squad to the active roster of the Cleveland Browns on November 13, 2024. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frostee Rucker</span> American football player (born 1983)

Frostee Lynn Rucker is an American former professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2006 NFL draft. Rucker has also played for the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Gay (cornerback)</span> American football player and coach (born 1985)

William Gay is an American professional football coach and former cornerback who is the assistant defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. Gay was a member of the Super Bowl XLIII-winning team the following season and played for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants before becoming a coach in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lardarius Webb</span> American football player (born 1985)

Lardarius Webb is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nicholls State Colonels and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Webb was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1974 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1974 Big Ten Conference football season. In their sixth year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–1 record, outscored opponents 324 to 75, and were ranked #3 in final AP Poll. Michigan won the first ten games of the 1974 season in convincing fashion, including blowout victories over Colorado (31-0), Navy (52-0), Minnesota (49-0), and Purdue (51-0). In the final game of the season, #2 Michigan faced #3 Ohio State. The Wolverines lost by a score of 12-10, as place-kicker Mike Lantry missed a last-minute field goal that would have given Michigan a victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Smith (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1988)

James Michael Smith is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 27th pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buster Skrine</span> American football player (born 1989)

Daryl Frank "Buster" Skrine Jr. is an American former professional football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. W. Webb</span> American football player (born 1990)

William Wilson "B. W." Webb Jr. is an American former professional football cornerback. He played college football at William & Mary, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamar Taylor</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jamar Andrew Taylor is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Artie Tyrone Burns Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami (FL), and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darqueze Dennard</span> American football player (born 1991)

Darqueze Derrell Dennard is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the Jim Thorpe Award in 2013. Dennard was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrance Mitchell</span> American football player (born 1992)

Terrance Mitchell II is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damarious Randall</span> American football player (born 1992)

Damarious Wayne Randall is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Sutton</span> American football player (born 1995)

Cameron Amir Sutton is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Tennessee, and was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also played for the Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chidobe Awuzie</span> American football player (born 1995)

Chidobe Richard Awuzie is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Colorado and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denzel Ward</span> American football player (born 1997)

Denzel Nehemiah Ward is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Graham Jr. (American football)</span> American football player (born 1999)

Thomas Graham Jr. is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football at Oregon. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Kunaszyk</span> American football player (born 1996)

Jordan Kunaszyk is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football at California and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camryn Bynum</span> American football player (born 1998)

Camryn Bynum is an American professional football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Newsome II</span> American football player (born 2000)

Gregory Newsome II is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats and was selected by the Browns in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Holmes</span> American football player (born 1997)

Christian Holmes is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the Missouri Tigers and Oklahoma State Cowboys and was selected by the Washington Commanders in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Brugler, Dane (April 2024). "The Beast: 2024 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic . pp. 279–280. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  2. "Chigozie Anusiem". California Golden Bears.
  3. 1 2 Pool, Colton (April 22, 2024). "NFL Draft: Chigozie Anusiem of Colorado State Has Been Among The Mountain West's Top CBs Recently". HERO Sports.
  4. "Chigozie Anusiem College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  5. "Commanders agree to terms with 11 college free agents". Washington Commanders. April 29, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  6. Lytle, Kevin (April 27, 2024). "Two Colorado State football players sign with teams after NFL draft". The Coloradoan .
  7. Lytle, Kevin (August 27, 2024). "How former Colorado State football players fared on 2024 NFL cut day". The Coloradoan .
  8. "Commanders sign 12 players to 2024 practice squad". Washington Commanders. August 28, 2024.
  9. "Browns sign CB Chigozie Anusiem". Cleveland Browns. November 13, 2024.