James Onwualu Explained

James Onwualu
Number:58, 59
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:4 September 1994
Birth Place:Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:235
High School:Cretin-Derham Hall
(Saint Paul, Minnesota)
College:Notre Dame (2013–2016)
Undraftedyear:2017
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:10
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel5:Interceptions

James Onwualu (born September 4, 1994) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Notre Dame.

College career

Onwualu started his college career at Notre Dame as a wide receiver before switching to linebacker during his sophomore season in 2014. As a senior co-captain, he registered 75 tackles, three sacks, and led the team with 11.5 tackles for loss.

Professional career

Los Angeles Chargers

Onwualu signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2017.[1] He played in nine games after making the initial 53-man roster before being waived on December 16, 2017 and re-signed to the practice squad.[2] [3] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers on January 1, 2018.[4]

On August 22, 2018, Onwualu was waived/injured by the Chargers and was placed on injured reserve.[5] He was released on August 25, 2018.

San Francisco 49ers

On November 19, 2018, Onwualu was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.[6] He was promoted to the active roster on November 27, 2018.[7] He was waived on April 29, 2019.[8]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On April 30, 2019, Onwualu was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[9] He was placed on injured reserve on August 9, 2019, with a knee injury.[10]

Carolina Panthers

After becoming a free agent in March 2020, Onwualu had a tryout with the Carolina Panthers on August 19, 2020.[11] He signed with the team on September 2, 2020, but was waived three days later.[12] [13]

Las Vegas Raiders

On October 27, 2020, Onwualu was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad.[14] He was elevated to the active roster on December 26 and January 2, 2021, for the team's weeks 16 and 17 games against the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[15] [16] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 5, 2021.[17]

On August 2, 2021, Onwualu announced his retirement from the NFL.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chargers Agree to Terms with 15 Undrafted Free Agents. Henne, Ricky. Chargers.com. May 1, 2017. November 5, 2017.
  2. Web site: Chargers Sign Craig Mager to Active Roster. Henne, Ricky. Chargers.com. December 16, 2017.
  3. Web site: Chargers Claim K Nick Rose Off Waivers. https://web.archive.org/web/20180221085832/http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/12/18/chargers-claim-k-nick-rose-waivers. dead. February 21, 2018. Henne, Ricky. Chargers.com. December 18, 2017.
  4. Web site: Chargers Sign Six to Reserve/Future Contracts. https://web.archive.org/web/20180204091351/http://www.chargers.com/news/2018/01/01/chargers-sign-six-reservefuture-contracts. dead. February 4, 2018. Henne, Ricky. Chargers.com. January 1, 2018.
  5. Web site: Bolts Sign RB Terrell Watson. Henne, Ricky. Chargers.com. August 22, 2018.
  6. Web site: 49ers Sign LB James Onwualu to the Practice Squad. 49ers.com. November 19, 2018.
  7. Web site: 49ers Announce Several Roster Moves. 49ers.com. November 27, 2018.
  8. Web site: San Francisco 49ers Waive Seven Players. 49ers.com. April 29, 2019.
  9. Web site: Jaguars claim James Onwualu off waivers. Williams, Charean. Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. April 30, 2019.
  10. Web site: Jaguars make roster moves. Jaguars.com. August 9, 2019.
  11. AlbertBreer . Today’s workouts/visits. . 1296191904980312070 . August 19, 2020 . August 21, 2020.
  12. Web site: Panthers sign linebacker James Onwualu. Panthers.com. September 2, 2020.
  13. Web site: Panthers reduce roster to 53 players. Simmons, Myles. Panthers.com. September 5, 2020.
  14. Web site: Las Vegas Raiders Sign Two New Defenders. Sports Illustrated. October 28, 2020.
  15. News: Damien, Levi . Raiders activate DT Maliek Collins from injured reserve to face Dolphins . USAToday.com . December 26, 2020 . February 8, 2021.
  16. Jerrymcd . McDonald, Jerry . Transactions, via Raiders website: Activated S Jeff Heath from the Reserve/Injured - Designated For Return list; Activated LB James Onwualu and OL Erik Magnuson from the practice squad. . 1345509444373737474 . January 2, 2021 . February 15, 2021.
  17. Web site: Raiders sign 11 players to Reserve/Future contracts. Raiders.com. January 5, 2021. January 14, 2021. January 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111150510/https://www.raiders.com/news/las-vegas-raiders-sign-11-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-1-5-21. dead.