Isaac Ukwu Explained

Isaac Ukwu
Current Team:Detroit Lions
Number:45
Position:Defensive end
Birth Date:14 January 1999
Birth Place:Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:265
High School:Wise (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
College:James Madison (2017–2022)
Ole Miss (2023)
Undraftedyear:2024
Pastteams:
Status:Practice squad
Highlights:
  • First-team All-Sun Belt (2022)
  • Second-team All-CAA (2021)
Statseason:2024
Statweek:7
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:3
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Pfr:UkwuIs00

Isaac Egboida Omiete Ukwu (born January 14, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the James Madison Dukes and for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Early life and high school

Ukwu attended Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Coming out of high school, Ukwu decided to commit to play college football for the James Madison Dukes.[1] [2]

College career

James Madison

During Ukwu's five-year career with James Madison from 2017 to 2022, he played in 28 games after suffering two season-ending knee injuries; he totaled 88 tackles, with 27.5 being for a loss, and 16.5 sacks, while being named all-conference twice.[3] [4] [5] [6] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Ukwu entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[7] [8]

Ole Miss

Ukwu transferred to play for the Ole Miss Rebels.[9] [10] In Ukwu's lone season with Ole Miss, he notched 30 tackles and three and a half sacks.[11]

Professional career

After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Ukwu signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent.[12] [13] He was also selected by the Michigan Panthers in the third round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17.[14]

During Ukwu's three preseason games, he tallied three sacks and a forced fumble while fighting for a spot on the Lions' 53-man roster.[15] [16] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[17] [18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Epps . Wayne . JMU defensive end Isaac Ukwu relishing return, coming off pair of knee injuries . Richmond Times-Dispatch . 11 August 2021 . 25 August 2024.
  2. Web site: Isaac Ukwu, James Madison, Edge . 247SPorts . 25 August 2024.
  3. News: Olson . Max . Staples . Andy . Isaac Ukwu on transfer recruiting, NIL and his portal path . The New York Times . 26 May 2023 . 25 August 2024.
  4. Web site: Fleischman . Noah . JMU DE Ukwu Returns To JMU For Final Season Of Eligibility . Daily News-Record . 12 January 2023 . 25 August 2024.
  5. Web site: Mettlen . Shane . Ukwu Watching D-Line Teammates Step Up This Spring . Daily News-Record . 10 April 2023 . 25 August 2024.
  6. Web site: Isaac Ukwu - 2023 Football Roster . Ole Miss Athletics . 25 August 2024.
  7. Web site: Raven . Benjamin . Undrafted edge rusher trying to defeat latest challenge by making Lions roster . MLive.com . 25 August 2024.
  8. Web site: Fleischman . Noah . Ukwu Enters Transfer Portal, Leaves Hole On Defensive Line . Daily News-Record . 25 April 2023 . 25 August 2024.
  9. News: Olson . Max . James Madison transfer DL Isaac Ukwu commits to Ole Miss . The New York Times . 19 May 2023 . 25 August 2024.
  10. Web site: Eckert . David . Ole Miss football lands transfer Isaac Ukwu, All-Sun Belt edge rushed from James Madison . The Clarion-Ledger . 19 May 2023 . 25 August 2024.
  11. Web site: Weber . Alex . Report: Isaac Ukwu to sign with Detroit Lions as undrafted free agent . On3.com . 28 April 2024 . 25 August 2024.
  12. Web site: Isaac Ukwu, 'Ed, Edd n Eddy' and a promise kept to Lions HC Dan Campbell . The Detroit News . 24 August 2024 . 25 August 2024.
  13. Web site: Lions' Isaac Ukwu closing in on roster spot with strong preseason: 'He just shows up' . Detroit Free Press . 21 August 2024 . 25 August 2024.
  14. News: 2024 UFL College Draft: Showboats select Kansas QB Jason Bean with No. 1 pick . FoxSports.com . July 17, 2024 . July 19, 2024.
  15. Web site: Garnett . Ahmad . Isaac Ukwu's strip-sack vs. Steelers strong final pitch for Detroit Lions roster spot . Detroit Free Press . 24 August 2024 . 25 August 2024.
  16. Booher . Christian . Ukwu Pondered Giving up Football, Now Shining at Lions Camp . Sports Illustrated . 25 August 2024.
  17. Web site: Lions announce roster moves. DetroitLions.com. August 27, 2024.
  18. Web site: Lions announce roster moves. DetroitLions.com. August 28, 2024.

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