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Joel Iyiegbuniwe (born October 12, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
 Iyiegbuniwe in 2017 | |||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | October 12, 1995 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | South Warren (Bowling Green, Kentucky) | ||||||||
| College: | Western Kentucky (2014–2017) | ||||||||
| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2018 / round: 4 / pick: 115 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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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]
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| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1+3⁄8 in (1.86 m) |
229 lb (104 kg) |
32+5⁄8 in (0.83 m) |
10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) | 4.60 s | 1.60 s | 2.70 s | 4.28 s | 7.06 s | 35.0 in (0.89 m) | 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) | 19 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine[10][11][12] | ||||||||||||
Chicago Bears
Iyiegbuniwe was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[13]
Seattle Seahawks
On March 24, 2022, Iyiegbuniwe signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.[14] He was released on August 20, 2022.[15]
Carolina Panthers
On October 20, 2022, Iyiegbuniwe was signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers.[16] He was promoted to the active roster on November 19.[17]
San Antonio Brahmas
On January 19, 2024, Iyiegbuniwe signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL).[18] His contract was terminated on August 19, to sign with an NFL team.[19]
Detroit Lions
On August 19, 2024, Iyiegbuniwe signed with the Detroit Lions.[20] He was released on August 27.[21]
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