| Joel Iyiegbuniwe | |
| Current Team: | Detroit Lions |
| Number: | 52 |
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Birth Date: | 1995 10, mf=yes |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 1 |
| Weight Lb: | 235 |
| High School: | South Warren (Bowling Green, Kentucky) |
| College: | Western Kentucky (2014–2017) |
| Draftyear: | 2018 |
| Draftround: | 4 |
| Draftpick: | 115 |
| Pastteams: |
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| Status: | Active |
| Highlights: |
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| Statleague: | NFL |
| Statlabel1: | Total tackles |
| Statvalue1: | 31 |
| Statlabel2: | Sacks |
| Statlabel3: | Forced fumbles |
| Statvalue3: | 1 |
| Statlabel4: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statlabel5: | Pass deflections |
| Statvalue5: | 1 |
| Statlabel6: | Interceptions |
| Statlabel7: | Defensive touchdowns |
| Pfr: | IyieJo00 |
Joel Iyiegbuniwe (born October 12, 1995) is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Western Kentucky.
Iyiegbuniwe attended South Warren High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Although he only played in four games as a senior, he tallied 23 tackles and one interception along with six touchdowns. As a junior he made 64 tackles with three interceptions along with four touchdowns.[1] Iyiegbuniwe committed to play football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in December 2013, choosing them over Indiana State and Southern Illinois.[2]
As a true freshman in 2014, Iyiegbuniwe played in the first three games of Western Kentucky's season before a knee injury ended his season. He elected to take a medical redshirt.[3]
In 2015, as a redshirt freshman, Iyiegbuniwe played in all 14 of Western Kentucky's games, recording 19 tackles and one sack.[4]
In 2016, Iyiegbuniwe, now a redshirt sophomore, once again appeared in all 14 games. He made 64 tackles (10 for loss), 3.5 sacks, three pass deflections and one forced fumble.[5] He was awarded 2016 C-USA Honorable Mention.[6]
As a redshirt junior in 2017, Iyiegbuniwe played in all 13 games, recording 117 tackles (11.5 for loss), two sacks, one pass deflection and three forced fumbles.[7] He was named to the 2017 C-USA First-team.[8] After the season, he declared for the 2018 NFL draft.[9]
Iyiegbuniwe was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[10]
On March 24, 2022, Iyiegbuniwe signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.[11] He was released on August 20, 2022.[12]
On October 20, 2022, Iyiegbuniwe was signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers.[13] He was promoted to the active roster on November 19.[14]
On January 19, 2024, Iyiegbuniwe signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL).[15] His contract was terminated on August 19, to sign with an NFL team.[16]
On August 19, 2024, Iyiegbuniwe signed with the Detroit Lions.[17]
Iyiegbuniwe is of Nigerian descent.[18]