:Larry Ogunjobi
{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Larry Ogunjobi
| image = LarryOgunjobi.jpg
| caption = Ogunjobi with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023
| current_team = Buffalo Bills
| number = 99
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|6|3}}
| birth_place = Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 305
| high_school = Ragsdale {{avoid wrap|(Jamestown, North Carolina)}}
| college = Charlotte (2013–2016)
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 65
| pastteams =
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2022|2024}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 361
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 27.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 3
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 3
}}
Olumide Larry Ogunjobi (born June 3, 1994) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Charlotte 49ers, and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has previously played for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Early life and college
Ogunjobi was born in Livingston, New Jersey, to Yoruba parents who had immigrated from Nigeria. He attended Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, North Carolina.{{cite web | last=James | first=Pat | title=Charlotte 49ers' Larry Ogunjobi tries to live up to his Nigerian name | website=Charlotte Observer | date=2016-11-18 | url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article115801518.html | access-date=2024-10-17}} From 2013 to 2016 he played college football at Charlotte, recording 217 tackles and 13 sacks.{{cite web | title=When Larry Ogunjobi first stepped on a football field, some laughed. Now? NFL awaits. | website=Charlotte Observer | date=2017-03-13 | url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article138204888.html | access-date=2024-10-17}}{{cite web | last=Traylor | first=Grant | title=Herd focused on 49ers' nose tackle Ogunjobi | website=The Herald-Dispatch | date=2024-07-01 | url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall_sports/herd-focused-on-ers-nose-tackle-ogunjobi/article_d14638ef-a679-5134-9bad-272bbd3d7f9f.html | access-date=2024-10-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jamestownnews.com/sports/nfl-hopeful-ogunjobi-looks-forward-to-football-draft/article_14730b02-2454-11e7-a000-bf1f1d0bed14.html|title=NFL hopeful Ogunjobi looks forward to football draft|publisher=Jamestown News}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At Charlotte, he double-majored in computer science and biology,Andrew Gribble (April 28, 2017). [http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/5-things-to-know-about-Browns-DT-Larry-Ogunjobi/9f6c061f-0bdc-4ba1-8284-e7934da79083 "5 things to know about Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi"], Cleveland Browns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
graduating with a degree in computer science in December 2016.Justin Melo (February 27, 2017). [http://draftbreakdown.com/2017/02/27/exclusive-interview-with-charlotte-dl-larry-ogunjobi/ "Exclusive Interview with Charlotte DL Larry Ogunjobi"], Draft Breakdown . Retrieved December 19, 2017.
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Coming out of college, Ogunjobi was ranked as the 15th best defensive tackle in the draft by CBSSports.com and was projected to be a fifth or sixth-round pick. He received an invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl, practiced well throughout the week, and played defensive tackle for the North who lost 16–15 to the South. Ogunjobi raised his draft stock after showcasing his talent in the Senior Bowl.{{cite web|url=http://charlotte49ers.com/news/2017/2/3/football-ogunjobis-draft-stock-rising-after-senior-bowl-showcase.aspx| title=Ogunjobi's NFL Draft Stock Rising After Senior Bowl| access-date=June 3, 2017| website=Charlotte49ers.com}} He participated at the NFL Combine and completed all the required combine and positional drills. About a dozen or more scouts and representatives attended Charlotte's Pro Day to scout Ogunjobi as the feature prospect and two other teammates.{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotte49ers.com/news/2017/3/16/football-hosts-2017-pro-day.aspx| title=Football hosts 2017 pro day| access-date=June 3, 2017| website=charlotte49ers.com| date=March 16, 2017}} NFL draft experts and analysts projected him to be a second or third-round pick. He was ranked as the third-best defensive tackle in the draft by ESPN, was ranked the fourth-best defensive tackle by NFLDraftScout.com, was ranked the fifth-best defensive tackle by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, and was ranked the sixth-best defensive tackle by Sports Illustrated.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings| title=2017 NFL Draft Rankings: Top Prospects by Position| access-date=June 3, 2017| website=si.com| author=Chris Burke| date=April 22, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold| title=Ranking the 2017 Draft's Top 100 Players| access-date=June 3, 2017| website=ESPN.com| author=Jeff Legwold| date=April 22, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/mike-mayock-s-2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings-3-0-0ap3000000799336| title=Mike Mayock's 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0 | access-date=June 3, 2017| website=NFL.com| author=Mike Mayock| author-link=Mike Mayock| date=April 12, 2017}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 5/8
| weight = 305
| dash = 4.97
| ten split = 1.76
| twenty split = 2.90
| shuttle = 4.75
| cone drill = 7.55
| vertical = 32.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 8
| bench = 26
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32 5/8
| hand span = 10
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/larry-ogunjobi?id=2557836| title=NFL Draft Profile: Larry Ogunjobi| access-date=June 3, 2017| website=NFL.com}}
}}
=Cleveland Browns=
The Cleveland Browns selected Ogunjobi in the third round (65th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=Browns select UNC-Charlotte DT Larry Ogunjobi with 65th pick in 2017 NFL Draft|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-select-UNC-Charlotte-DT-Larry-Ogunjobi-with-65th-pick-in-2017-NFL-Draft/09a262a4-50cf-4200-904c-fed074a1af32|author=Gribble, Andrew|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=April 28, 2017}} Ogunjobi signed his contract with the Browns on May 17, 2017,{{cite news|last=Labbe|first=Dan|title=Browns sign third-round pick Larry Ogunjobi|work=The Plain Dealer|date=May 18, 2017|access-date=July 29, 2017|url=http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/05/browns_sign_third-round_pick_l.html}} a deal which totaled $3.9 million.{{cite web|title=Larry Ogunjobi|work=OvertheCap.com|date=2017|access-date=July 29, 2017|url=https://overthecap.com/player/larry-ogunjobi/5651/}} He went on to play in 14 games, recording 17 solo tackles and a sack during his rookie season with the Browns as the team finished with an 0-16 record.{{cite web | title=Larry Ogunjobi 2017 Game Log | website=StatMuse | date=2017-12-31 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/larry-ogunjobi-26175/game-log?seasonYear=2017 | access-date=2024-12-02}}
File:Larry Ogunjobi (29350093677).jpg
In 2018, Ogunjobi finished the season making 33 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles and 5.5 sacks.{{cite web | title=Larry Ogunjobi 2018 Game Log | website=StatMuse | date=2018-12-30 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/larry-ogunjobi-26175/game-log?seasonYear=2018 | access-date=2024-12-02}}
On November 14, 2019, near the end of a game against Pittsburgh Steelers, teammate Myles Garrett and Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph got tangled up and began fighting, ending with Garrett hitting Rudolph with a helmet. As other teammates began running towards the two, Ogunjobi hit Rudolph, who was still without his helmet, from behind knocking him onto the ground. He was later suspended for one game without pay and fined.{{cite news |author=Trotter, Jake and Brooke Pryor |title=Browns' Myles Garrett suspended indefinitely; Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey gets 3-game ban |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28087446/browns-myles-garrett-suspended-indefinitely-steelers-maurkice-pouncey-gets-3-game-ban |website=ESPN.com |date=November 15, 2019 |access-date=November 15, 2019}}
Ogunjobi made his playoff debut on January 10, 2021 when the Browns defeated the Steelers 48-37. He recorded three assisted tackles in his only playoff victory.{{cite web | title=Browns 48-37 Steelers (Jan 10, 2021) | website=StatMuse | date=2021-01-10 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/1-10-2021-cle-at-pit-16805 | access-date=2024-12-02}} He only recorded one solo tackle during the Browns' AFC divisional round playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.{{cite web | title=Browns 17-22 Chiefs (Jan 17, 2021) | website=StatMuse | date=2021-01-17 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/1-17-2021-cle-at-kc-16808 | access-date=2024-12-02}}
=Cincinnati Bengals=
On March 19, 2021, Ogunjobi signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.{{cite web|title=Bengals Sign Five Free Agents|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-five-free-agents|website=Bengals.com|date=March 19, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2021|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209200632/https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-five-free-agents|url-status=dead}} He started 16 games in 2021, recording a career-high seven sacks, 49 tackles, and a team-high 12 tackles for loss. In the wild card playoff game with the Las Vegas Raiders he suffered a season ending foot injury that required surgery.{{Cite web |last=Marcum |first=Jason |date=2022-01-18 |title=Larry Ogunjobi opens up after season-ending foot injury that will require surgery |url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2022/1/18/22890108/larry-ogunjobi-injury-2021-stats-bengals-news |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Cincy Jungle |language=en}}
On March 14, 2022, Ogunjobi was reported and expected to sign with the Chicago Bears, but failed the conditional physical, resulting in the offer being rescinded.{{Cite news |author=The Athletic Staff |title=Bears no longer signing DT Larry Ogunjobi after failed physical |url=https://theathletic.com/news/bears-no-longer-signing-dt-larry-ogunjobi-after-failed-physical/Zu2kZZilwmtF/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On June 21, 2022, Ogunjobi signed a one-year deal with the Steelers.{{cite web|title=Ogunjobi signed to one-year contract|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/ogunjobi-signed-to-one-year-contract|access-date=2022-06-21|website=Steelers.com|language=en}} He started 16 games in 2022, recording 48 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
On March 17, 2023, Ogunjobi signed a three-year, $28.75 million contract extension with the Steelers.{{cite web|title=Ogunjobi signed to three-year contract|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/ogunjobi-signed-to-three-year-contract|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=March 17, 2023}} In 2023, Ogunjobi finished the season with 21 tackles, three being for a loss, and a forced fumble. He made two tackles in the Steelers' Wildcard playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills in January 2024.{{cite web | title=Larry Ogunjobi 2023 Game Log | website=StatMuse | date=2024-01-15 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/larry-ogunjobi-26175/game-log?seasonYear=2023 | access-date=2024-12-02}}
In 2024, he recorded his first sack of the season on New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the Steelers won 37-15.
Ogunjobi was released by the Steelers on March 10, 2025.{{cite web|title=Steelers make moves ahead of start of free agency|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-moves-ahead-of-start-of-free-agency|website=Steelers.com|date=March 10, 2025}}
=Buffalo Bills=
On March 14, 2025, Larry Ogunjobi signed a one-year, $8.3 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web |last=Alerte |first=Dorian |date=March 14, 2025 |title=Larry Ogunjobi signs with the Buffalo Bills |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-dt-larry-ogunjobi-to-one-year-contract |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=BuffaloBills.com}} However, after signing with the Bills, Ogunjobi was suspended for six games for violating the NFL's PED policy.{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2025 |title=Buffalo Bills' Larry Ogunjobi suspended for 6 games |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bills-gm-free-agent-signings-mike-hoecht-larry-ogunjobi-facing-six-game-suspensions-for-ped-violations?campaign=Twitter_atn |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=NFL.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
{{footballstats|yahoo=30178|espn=3050122|nfl=larry-ogunjobi}}
- [https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/larry-ogunjobi/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio]
- [http://www.charlotte49ers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=605 Charlotte 49ers bio]
{{Browns2017DraftPicks}}
{{Buffalo Bills roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ogunjobi, Larry}}
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:American players of American football of Nigerian descent
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Charlotte 49ers football players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Sportspeople from Livingston, New Jersey
Category:Players of American football from Essex County, New Jersey
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Players of American football from Greensboro, North Carolina