2017

GP/GS Career GP/GS Playoffs GP/GS

PS 0/0 0/0

• Is the 1st member of his family born in the United States; his parents emigrated from Nigeria. 

• Did not play football until 10th grade.

OFF THE FIELD

Majored in economics at Northwestern…The middle of 3 children, his parents came to the United States from Nigeria…His mother, Linda, is a pediatrician and father, Thomas, is a civil engineer…Linda came to United States in 1992 and 3 years later, Thomas made the move…Younger brother, Tito, is a defensive lineman at University of Miami (FL) after initially playing at the University of Illinois.

2017

GP/GS Career GP/GS Playoffs GP/GS

PS 0/0 0/0

• Is the 1st member of his family born in the United States; his parents emigrated from Nigeria. 

• Did not play football until 10th grade.

OFF THE FIELD

Majored in economics at Northwestern…The middle of 3 children, his parents came to the United States from Nigeria…His mother, Linda, is a pediatrician and father, Thomas, is a civil engineer…Linda came to United States in 1992 and 3 years later, Thomas made the move…Younger brother, Tito, is a defensive lineman at University of Miami (FL) after initially playing at the University of Illinois.

PRO

Selected in the 7th round (#220) of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Vikings, 1 of 4 picks in the 7th round…Joined Wildcats LB Anthony Walker (5th round, Indianapolis) being selected in the Draft…The 1st Northwestern player drafted by the Vikings since TE Steve Craig in 3rd round in 1974 and joins WR Jim Lash in the 3rd round in 1973 and WR Paul Flatley in the 4th round in 1963 as the only other Wildcats drafted by the Vikings.

2017

Signed to the Vikings practice squad on 9/3/17 after being released as a part of final roster cuts. 

COLLEGE

Helped Northwestern to a 10-3 mark as a junior in 2015…Played his final game as a Wildcat in Pinstripe Bowl win over Pittsburgh at Yankee Stadium…Ended collegiate career ranked 2nd in Northwestern school history with 23.5 sacks…Earned 1st-Team All-Big Ten from conference coaches as a senior and 2nd-Team honors from league media…Led Big Ten with 10.0 sacks on the 2016 season…Tied school record and set personal career high with 4.0 sacks at Iowa in a 38-31 victory and had season-high 5 tackles…Had pair of sacks in win at Michigan State…Notched sacks against Minnesota and Illinois...Played in 12 of 13 games as a junior in 2015…Had season-high 1.5 sacks against Stanford as a junior…Notched 5.0 sacks on the season…Played in all 12 games as a sophomore…Played primarily on 3rd downs in 2014…Tied a Big Ten record and became 1st conference player since Iowa DB Bob Sanders to notch 3 forced fumbles in a game, doing so against Western Illinois, and went on to earn Wildcats Defensive Player of the Week, capping game with 3 tackles, 2.0 sacks, a FR and the 3 FFs…Batted a Wisconsin pass that was intercepted by teammate Jimmy Hall…Posted 5.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2013, good for 2nd on the team…Had a sack in season opener at Cal…Had sacks against Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin…Notched 9 tackles on the season, 6.5 of those were for a loss…Saw time in 1 game as a true freshman, playing against Vanderbilt before suffering season-ending injury, but was granted hardship waiver and did not lose a year of eligibility. 

PREP

Standout in football and track at Centerville HS in Dayton, Ohio…Ranked as #51 overall prospect by ESPN.com, the #6 DE prospect and the #1 player in Ohio and the Midwest Region…Ranked #99 in Rivals 100 and was #109 in Scout…A SuperPrep All-America choice…Competed in UnderArmour All America game…Helped Centerville to a conference title as a senior…Ran anchor on 4x200 relay team that placed 3rd at state meet as a senior.