Ben Ijalana Explained

Ben Ijalana
Number:79, 71
Position:Offensive tackle
Birth Date:August 6, 1989
Birth Place:New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lbs:322
High School:Rancocas Valley Regional
(Mount Holly, New Jersey)
College:Villanova
Draftyear:2011
Draftround:2
Draftpick:49
Pastteams:
Highlights:
  • 2009 FCS All-American (Walter Camp)
  • 2× All-CAA First-team (2008, 2009)
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:34
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:13
Pfr:IjalBe00

Benjamin Ijalana (; born August 6, 1989) is a former American football offensive tackle. He played college football for Villanova and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

Early life

Ijalana's parents immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria.[1] A native of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Ijalana attended Willingboro High School in his freshman and sophomore year, before moving to Hainesport Township and transferring to Rancocas Valley Regional High School, where he was a two-way lineman, and district champion in wrestling.[2] [3]

College career

He started every game at left tackle since his true freshman year at Villanova.[4]

Ijalana was named to the 2010 Outland Trophy watch list as the only Football Championship Subdivision player.[5] [6]

Professional career

Pre-draft

The Sporting News listed Ijalana as one of the five most "intriguing small-school prospects".[7]

Entering draft day, Ijalana was listed as a second round prospect with the possibility of jumping into the first round. He was projected as a right tackle, following his strong showing as a left tackle in college and his good arm length and hand size. Additionally, he had the ability to fall back as a guard.

Indianapolis Colts

On day two of the 2011 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts traded their 53rd and 152nd pick to the Redskins for the 49th pick to draft Ijalana. He was the highest selected Villanova Wildcat since Howie Long in 1981.[8]

Ijalana played four games in his rookie season before tearing his ACL and landing on injured reserve.[9]

A few weeks after being cleared to play, Ijalana tore his ACL again during training camp in 2012.[9] Ijalana was eventually declared out for the 2012 season.[10] He was waived/injured on August 1, 2012, and he was subsequently placed on injured reserve on August 5.

New York Jets

Ijalala was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on September 1, 2013.[11] On April 9, 2016, Ijalana signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets.[12] On March 9, 2017, Ijalana signed a two-year, $11 million contract extension with the Jets.[13] [14]

On February 19, 2018, the Jets declined the second-year option on Ijalana's contract, making him a free agent.[15] However on March 16, 2018, Ijalana re-signed with the Jets on a one-year deal.[16] He was placed on injured reserve on August 15, 2018.[17]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On August 11, 2019, Ijalana was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[18] He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2019.[19]

Executive career

On June 3, 2022, Ijalana was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as a scouting assistant.[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Fernandez. Bernard. Too big for soccer, Villanova's Ijalana may be ready for NFL. August 4, 2011. The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 27, 2011.
  2. Cosentino, Dom. "Jets re-sign backup offensive tackle Ben Ijalana", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 1, 2015. Accessed September 28, 2017. "Ijalana, 25, attended both Willingboro and Rancocas Valley high schools in South Jersey."
  3. https://villanova.com/story.aspx?filename=Ben_Ijalana_Drafted_By_The_Indianapolis_Colts&file_date=4/29/2011 "Ben Ijalana Drafted By The Indianapolis Colts"
  4. News: Ijalana tackles task of being top lineman at Villanova . . September 10, 2010 .
  5. Web site: 2010 Outland Trophy Watch List Announced . June 21, 2010 . .
  6. News: Villanova's Ben Ijalana named to Outland Trophy Watch list . . June 22, 2010 .
  7. News: Five sleepers to watch at NFL Scouting Combine . Sporting News . February 20, 2011 . Dennis . Dillon . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110222194943/http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-01/2011-nfl-draft/story/five-sleepers-to-watch-at-nfl-scouting-combine . February 22, 2011 .
  8. Web site: 2011 NFL Draft Listing . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . 2019-02-26.
  9. Web site: Wilson. Josh. Ben Ijalana waived, injured - Colts sign Ty Nsekh. StampedeBlue.com. August 2012 .
  10. Web site: Indianapolis Star. The Indianapolis Star. en. June 4, 2018.
  11. Web site: 3 Arrive Via Waivers; 7 Added to Practice Squad . Lange, Randy . September 1, 2013 . New York Jets . https://web.archive.org/web/20130904052057/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-randylangefb/3-Arrive-Via-Waivers-7-Added-to-Practice-Squad/1f164acd-6a34-48b7-a1b8-16462d09fd80 . September 4, 2013 . September 1, 2013 . dead .
  12. Web site: Jets re-sign offensive tackle Ben Ijalana. Smith, Michael David. ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. April 9, 2016. February 16, 2017.
  13. Web site: Jets To Sign Ben Ijalana On 2 Year $11 Mill Deal. Wyatt, David. GangGreenNation.com. March 9, 2017.
  14. Web site: Jets Re-Sign T Ben Ijalana. Allen, Eric. NewYorkJets.com. March 24, 2017. March 25, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170414221323/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-9/Jets-Re-Sign-T-Ben-Ijalana/b97e39a2-9de8-4a8c-995a-15a693d46114. April 14, 2017. dead.
  15. Web site: Reports: Jets won't pick up Ben Ijalana's option in 2018. GangGreenNation.com. February 19, 2018.
  16. Web site: Jets Sign Ben Ijalana To One Year Deal. GangGreenNation.com. March 16, 2018.
  17. Web site: Jets Place Veteran T Ben Ijalana on Injured Reserve. Allen, Eric. NewYorkJets.com. August 15, 2018.
  18. Web site: Jaguars make roster moves. Jaguars.com. August 11, 2019. August 11, 2019. August 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190811192420/https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-make-roster-moves-x8812. dead.
  19. Web site: Roster reduction: Jaguars move to 53 players. Oehser, John. Jaguars.com. August 31, 2019.
  20. Web site: Former Jets 'Mean Streak' Starter Is Joining the Eagles: Report. Paul A. Esden. Jr. June 3, 2022. March 26, 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Ben Ijalana".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.