Joshua Kalu

Last updated

Joshua Kalu
Washington Commanders-ANG Recruitment Partnership - Joshua Kalu (cropped).jpg
Kalu with the Washington Commanders in 2023
Personal information
Born: (1995-08-28) August 28, 1995 (age 28)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:203 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school: Alief Taylor (Houston)
College: Nebraska (2014–2017)
Position: Safety
Undrafted: 2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Tackles:68
Forced fumbles:2
Interceptions:1
Pass deflections:6
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Joshua Elekwachi Kalu (born August 28, 1995) is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Nebraska and signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Kalu has also been a member of the New York Giants.

Contents

Early years

Kalu was born on August 28, 1995, in Houston, Texas. [1] He attended Alief Taylor High School in Alief, Texas, where he played football at the safety position. [2]

College career

Kalu played as a defensive back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team for four years from 2014 to 2017. He appeared in a total of 46 games for Nebraska, [3] missing only three games as a senior due to injury. [4] He compiled seven interceptions and 215 tackles. [3] In 2017, Nebraska's coaching staff moved him from the cornerback to the safety position. [5] [6] During his recruitment and playing career with Nebraska, he had six separate position coaches due to repeated staff turnover. [2]

College statistics

YearGSoloAstTotSacksIntPDFFFR
2014 122072711312
2015 1351247513700
2016 13481866111100
2017 934134702601

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 0+1⁄4 in
(1.84 m)		203 lb
(92 kg)		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m)		10 in
(0.25 m)		4.58 s1.60 s2.64 s4.25 s6.74 s41.5 in
(1.05 m)		11 ft 2 in
(3.40 m)		17 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [7] [8]
Kalu as a rookie with the Titans, 2018 Joshua Kalu 2018 08-09.jpg
Kalu as a rookie with the Titans, 2018

Tennessee Titans

On May 11, 2018, the Tennessee Titans signed Kalu as an undrafted free agent. [9] On August 12, 2018, Kalu was released by the Titans, but was re-signed eight days later. [10] [11] He was waived on September 1, 2018 and was signed to the practice squad the next day. [12] [13] He was promoted to the active roster on December 1, 2018. [14] Kalu mainly played on special teams and finished the season with 4 tackles.

Kalu prior to blocking a field goal in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs Jordan Kalu.png
Kalu prior to blocking a field goal in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs

On September 2, 2019, Kalu was placed on injured reserve. [15] He was designated for return from injured reserve on October 30, 2019, and began practicing with the team again. [16] He was added to the 53-man roster on November 2, 2019. [17] On November 10, 2019, in Week 10, Kalu blocked a game-tying field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs in a 35-32 upset victory. [18] Kalu finished the 2019 regular season with six tackles and one pass defense.

Kalu finished the 2020 regular season with a career-high 16 tackles.

New York Giants

On March 30, 2021, Kalu signed a contract with the New York Giants. [19] In his first preseason game with the Giants, Kalu suffered a torn pectoral muscle and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. [20]

Tennessee Titans (second stint)

On July 23, 2022, Kalu signed with the Titans. [21] In Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Kalu intercepted Justin Herbert for his first career interception. Herbert's pass was first caught by Roger McCreary, who tossed the ball to Kalu before he fell out of bounds. [22]

Washington Commanders

On August 8, 2023, Kalu signed with the Washington Commanders. [23] On August 28, he was released as part of final roster cuts before the start of 2023 season. [24]

Miami Dolphins

On August 30, 2023, Kalu signed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad. [25] He was released on September 19.

Washington Commanders (second stint)

On October 10, 2023, the Commanders signed Kalu to their practice squad. [26] He became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired after the season. [27]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSackPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2018 TEN 504400.00000.00000
2019 TEN 806600.01000.00000
2020 TEN 150161240.00000.00010
Career280262240.01000.00010

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSackPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2019 TEN 300000.00000.00001
Career300000.00000.00001

Related Research Articles

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

William Earl Compton III is a retired American professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 9 seasons, is the co-host of the Barstool Sports podcast, Bussin' With The Boys, along with former Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan.

Tony Washington Jr. is an American football outside linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played college football at the University of Oregon for the Ducks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tye Smith</span> American football player (born 1993)

Tye Smith is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Towson University and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans.

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

Jerome Cunningham is a former American football tight end. He played college football at Southern Connecticut State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalan Reed</span> American football player (born 1993)

Kalan Ascher Reed is a former American football cornerback. He was Mr. Irrelevant in 2016 when the Tennessee Titans took him with the final pick of the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft. In college, Reed played for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Christopher Devon Milton is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Georgia Tech. He has also played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalif Raymond</span> American football player (born 1994)

Kalif Raymond is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S. to an African-American father and a Chinese mother. He played college football at Holy Cross and was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice Smith (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Maurice Bernard Smith is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Alabama and Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Hollister</span> American football player (born 1993)

Cody Hollister is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Arkansas.

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

Kenneth Durden is an American gridiron football defensive back who currently plays for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at South Florida and Youngstown State. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Johnson (wide receiver)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Marcus Johnson is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He has played 6 seasons in the NFL for four different teams and won a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles following Super Bowl LII. After playing college football for Texas, he was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft and spent part of the season on the practice squad before making the roster the next year. He has since then also played for the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Mabin</span> American football player (born 1994)

Gregory Mabin is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Iowa and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Board</span> American football player (born 1993)

Clarence "C. J." Board is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Chattanooga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian DiLauro</span> American football player (born 1994)

Christian Joseph DiLauro is an American football offensive tackle for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Illinois. DiLauro signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and has also been a member of several other NFL teams.

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

Kareem Orr is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Chattanooga.

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

Derick Roberson is an American football linebacker for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Sam Houston State.

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

Freedom Akinmoladun is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the United Football League (UFL). He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2019 following his college football career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Curtis Brooks is an American football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Cincinnati.

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

Sam Okuayinonu is a Liberian-American gridiron football defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Maryland, and signed as undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Thompson (defensive back)</span> American football player (born 1998)

Josh Thompson is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Texas.

References

  1. ↑ "Kalu benefiting from 'different level of focus'". Lincoln Journal Star. August 11, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "NU changes failed to frazzle Kalu". Fremont Tribune. January 30, 2018. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "Joshua Kalu College Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Going undrafted doesn't spoil NFL dreams of former Husker Joshua Kalu". Omaha World Journal. May 1, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Joshua Kalu may be 'best safety in the country'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 1, 2017.(available at Newslibrary.com)
  6. ↑ "Diaco has high praise for Kalu". The North Platte Telegraph. August 1, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Joshua Kalu Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  8. ↑ "2018 Draft Scout Joshua Kalu, Nebraska NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ Wolf, Jason (April 28, 2018). "Titans signing more than 20 undrafted free agents". Tennessean.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  10. ↑ RotoWire Staff (August 12, 2018). "Josh Kalu: Released by Titans". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  11. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (August 20, 2018). "Titans add DB Joshua Kalu, Place DB Kalan Reed on Injured Reserve". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  12. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (September 1, 2018). "Roster Moves: Titans Trim Roster From 90 to 53 Players". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  13. ↑ Bacharach, Erik (September 2, 2018). "Titans add 10 players to practice squad, including Robert Spillane, Dalyn Dawkins". Tennessean.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  14. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (December 1, 2018). "Titans Promote DB Joshua Kalu, Waive DB Kenneth Durden". TitansOnline.com.
  15. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (September 2, 2019). "Titans Claim Former Colts DB Chris Milton Off Waivers". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  16. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (October 30, 2019). "Wednesday's Quick Hits: Two-Step Tajae Sharpe, DB Joshua Kalu Practices, and the Titans Injury Report". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  17. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (November 2, 2019). "Titans Add Kicker Ryan Succop, DB Joshua Kalu to 53-Man Roster for Sunday's game vs. Panthers". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  18. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (November 10, 2019). "Joshua Kalu Saves Day With Blocked Field Goal Form has Titans". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Giants sign three more free agents, including 2 Titans DBs". AP NEWS. March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  20. ↑ Valentine, Ed (August 15, 2021). "Giants injury news: T.J. Brunson, Joshua Kalu suffer major injuries". Big Blue View. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  21. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (July 23, 2022). "Roster Moves: Titans Bring Back DB Joshua Kalu While Placing Three Players on the PUP List". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Must-See Play: Josh Kalu's INT". si.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  23. ↑ Selby, Zach (August 8, 2023). "Commanders sign S Joshua Kalu, P Colby Wadman". Commanders.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  24. ↑ Selby, Zach (August 28, 2023). "Commanders place Braeden Daniels on IR, release 12 players". Commanders.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Miami Dolphins Sign Eight to Practice Squad". MiamiDolphins.com. August 31, 2023.
  26. ↑ Selby, Zach (October 10, 2023). "Commanders place Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Reaves on IR among multiple roster moves". Commanders.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  27. ↑ Manning, Bryan (January 9, 2024). "The Commanders make some roster moves to conclude the 2023 season". USA Today .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.