Levi Onwuzurike

Last updated

Levi Onwuzurike
No. 91 – Detroit Lions
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1998-03-02) March 2, 1998 (age 26)
Allen, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:290 lb (132 kg)
Career information
High school: Allen
College: Washington (2016–2020)
NFL draft: 2021  / round: 2 / pick: 41
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2024
Total tackles:52
Sacks:3.5
Forced fumbles:1
Pass deflections:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Levi Onwuzurike (born March 2, 1998) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington, and was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Onwuzurike grew up in Allen, Texas, and attended Allen High School. As a senior, he was named the District 6-6A Defensive MVP and The Dallas Morning News All-Area Defensive Player of the Year after finishing the year with 53 tackles and 8.5 sacks. [1] Onwuzurike committed to play college football at Washington over offers from Baylor, Arizona State and Michigan. [2]

College career

Onwuzurike redshirted his true freshman season. [3] As a redshirt freshman, he recorded 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. [4] Onwuzurike played in all 14 of the Huskies games with four starts in his redshirt sophomore season and finished the year with 34 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. [5] [6] He was named first-team All-Pac-12 Conference as a redshirt junior after recording 45 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks with a blocked kick on special teams. [7] [8] In September 2020, Onwuzurike announced he was opting out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and would prepare for the 2021 NFL draft. [9]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+7⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		290 lb
(132 kg)		33 in
(0.84 m)		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		4.86 s1.70 s2.90 s30.0 in
(0.76 m)		9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)		29 reps
All values from Pro Day [10] [11] [12]

Onwuzurike was drafted 41st overall by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. [13] He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 17, 2021, worth $8.14 million. [14]

On September 10, 2022, Onwuzurike was placed on injured reserve with a back injury. [15] During the Lions' bye week in week 6, Onwuzurike underwent season-ending back surgery. [16]

Personal life

Onwuzurike's parents immigrated from Nigeria. [17]

Related Research Articles

Reginald O'Keith Rogers was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle who played four seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions (1987–1988), Buffalo Bills (1991), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992).

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

Michael Seth Brockers is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers. He was considered to be one of the best defensive tackle prospects in the 2012 NFL draft, where he was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ezekiel Ansah</span> Ghanaian-born American football player (born 1989)

Ezekiel Nana "Ziggy" Ansah is a Ghanaian former professional American football defensive end. Born in Accra, Ghana, he moved to the United States to attend Brigham Young University, where he played college football for the Brigham Young Cougars. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions fifth overall in the 2013 NFL draft.

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

Akeem Spence is an American football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football at Illinois.

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

Daniel Saileupumoni Shelton is an American professional football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football for the Washington Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Covington</span> Canadian American football player (born 1993)

Christian Coral Cleveland Covington is a Canadian professional football defensive end for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Rice and was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions.

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

Bishard "Budda" Baker is an American professional football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies, and was selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. Baker is a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro member.

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

Elijah Qualls is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Washington.

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

Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea, otherwise known as Vita Vea, is an American professional football nose tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Vea won Super Bowl LV with the team over the Kansas City Chiefs, and was selected to the Pro Bowl the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dre'Mont Jones</span> American football player (born 1997)

Dre'Mont Jones is an American professional football defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State.

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

John Nau Penisini is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Snow College before transferring to Utah and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Jashon Cornell is a former American football defensive end. He played college football at Ohio State. He played in one game in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Tryon-Shoyinka</span> American football player (born 1999)

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is an American professional football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington and was drafted by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aidan Hutchinson</span> American football player (born 2000)

Aidan Joseph Bernardi Hutchinson is an American professional football defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Hutchinson was a unanimous All-American for the Michigan Wolverines, and the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2021. He was selected with the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, and named to the All-Rookie Team in 2022. Hutchinson was voted to his first Pro Bowl in 2023.

Marlon Tuipulotu is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cade Otton</span> American football player (born 1999)

Cade Otton is an American professional football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played college football at Washington before being selected by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Joshua Paschal is an American professional football defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kentucky and was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malik Carney</span> American gridiron football player (born 1995)

Malik Carney is an American professional football defensive end for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bralen Trice</span> American football player (born 2001)

Bralen Trice is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington. The Falcons drafted him in round 3 of the 2024 NFL draft at the 74th pick.

Tuli Letuligasenoa is an American professional football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football for the Washington Huskies.

References

  1. ↑ Wixon, Matt (January 20, 2016). "Allen defensive end Levi Onwuzurike orally commits to Washington". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  2. ↑ Jude, Adam (January 20, 2016). "Washington Huskies get commitment from Texas defensive end Levi Onwuzurike". The Seattle Times . Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  3. ↑ Jude, Adam (October 2, 2018). "Huskies' efforts to recruit Levi Onwuzurike out of Texas are starting to pay off". The Spokesman-Review . Retrieved November 14, 2020– via Seattle Times.
  4. ↑ Kirschman, Lauren (October 28, 2018). "UW's Levi Onwuzurike learns from Greg Gaines". The News Tribune . Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  5. ↑ "DL Levi Onwuzurike an academic leader for UW". The News Tribune . September 26, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  6. ↑ "What a pair of blocked kicks say about athletic UW defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike". The Seattle Times . October 30, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Washington's Onwuzurike opts out, declares for NFL draft". The Washington Post . Associated Press. September 17, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  8. ↑ "UW Huskies DL Levi Onwuzurike, DB Elijah Molden will return for senior seasons". The Seattle Times . December 26, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  9. ↑ Bonagura, Kyle (September 17, 2020). "Washington Huskies' Levi Onwuzurike declares for NFL draft". ESPN.com . Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Levi Onwuzurike Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  11. ↑ "2021 NFL Draft Scout Levi Onwuzurike College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Levi Onwuzurike 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ Birkett, Dave (April 30, 2021). "Detroit Lions pick Levi Onwuzurike, DT from Washington, in Round 2 of 2021 NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  14. ↑ Links, Zachary (June 17, 2021). "Lions Sign Levi Onwuzurike". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  15. ↑ Schlitt, Erik (September 10, 2022). "Lions place DL Levi Onwuzurike on injured reserve". Pride Of Detroit. SB Nation. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  16. ↑ Birkett, Dave (October 17, 2022). "Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike undergoes back surgery, out for season: 'It's a last resort'". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  17. ↑ Rogers, Justin (April 30, 2021). "Lions close out Day 2 of draft with Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu". The Detroit News . Retrieved December 5, 2021.
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.