Ade Ogundeji
{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name =
| image = Adetokunbo Ogundeji.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Ogundeji in 2021
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|10|9}}
| birth_place = West Bloomfield, Michigan, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 268
| high_school = Walled Lake Central
(Commerce Township, Michigan)
| college = Notre Dame (2016–2020)
| draftyear = 2021
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 182
| pastteams =
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2024}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statseason = 2024
| statweek = 8
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 75
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 3.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 2
| pfr = O/OgunAd01
}}
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji (born October 9, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Early life
Ogundeji grew up in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He did not play football until his freshman year at Walled Lake Central High School.{{Cite web |last=DeCamp |first=Scott |date=February 1, 2016 |title=Notre Dame football sticks with late-bloomer 'Ade' Ogundeji, even after knee injury |url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/2016/02/notre_dame_football_sticks_wit.html |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=MLive.com}}{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2020 |title=Former metro Detroit prep stars Hayes, Ogundeji play pivotal role in Irish upset over Clemson |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2020/11/08/former-metro-detroit-prep-stars-hayes-ogundeji-play-pivotal-roles-irish-upset-over-clemson/6215730002/ |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=The Detroit News}} He originally committed to play at Western Michigan.{{Cite web |last=Purcell |first=Jason |date=June 25, 2015 |title=As Khalid Kareem commits, Adetokunbo Ogundeji is another 2016 DE showing up on college radars |url=https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/article/as-khalid-kareem-commits-adetokunbo-ogundeji-is-another-2016-de-showing-up-on-college-radars/ |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=MLive.com}} As a junior, he had 68 tackles, nine sacks, 17 pass breakups and four fumble recoveries and ultimately de-committed from Western Michigan after being more heavily recruited.{{Cite web |last=Loy |first=Tom |date=January 4, 2021 |title=Notre Dame DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji Enters the NFL Draft |url=https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Article/Adetokunbo-Ogundeji-Notre-Dame-Football-Defensive-End-Enters-the-NFL-Draft-158523291/ |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=247Sports}} Ogundeji ultimately signed to play at Notre Dame.{{Cite web |last=Arnold |first=Keith |date=July 16, 2015 |title=DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji commits to Notre Dame |url=https://irish.nbcsports.com/2015/07/16/de-adetokunbo-ogundeji-commits-to-notre-dame/ |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=NBC Sports}} His senior season was cut short due to a knee injury.{{Cite web |last=DeCamp |first=Scott |date=February 6, 2016 |title=Notre Dame defensive line coach excited about Walled Lake Central sleeper recruit |url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/2016/02/notre_dame_defensive_line_coac.html |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=MLive.com}}
College career
Ogundeji played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2016 to 2020. He spent his freshman season on the scout team and did not appear in any games and played sparingly as a sophomore.{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2019 |title=Late-blooming Ade Ogundeji is making his mark at Notre Dame |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2019/10/23/late-blooming-ade-ogundeji-making-his-mark-notre-dame/4064112002/ |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=The Indianapolis Star}} He started to receive significant playing time as a junior during the 2018 season and finished the year with 25 total tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. As a senior in 2019, Ogundeji had 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery after playing in all 13 of the Fighting Irish's games.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2020 |title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football: DE Ade Ogundeji is on the rise |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2020/09/11/notre-dame-fighting-irish-football-de-ade-ogundeji-rise/5771392002/ |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=The Indianapolis Star}} On September 28, 2019, Ogundeji returned a fumble for a touchdown against Virginia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1249835/2019/09/28/notre-dame-virginia-identity-brian-kelly/|title=Notre Dame sees the strength of its identity, shortcomings and all, in grinding down Virginia|first=Pete|last=Sampson|work=The Athletic}} Ogundeji opted to return for a fifth season in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Smedley |first=Megan |date=January 1, 2020 |title=Ade Ogundeji returns for fifth-year |url=https://www.wndu.com/content/sports/Ade-Ogundeji-returns-for-fifth-year-566632381.html |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=WNDU.com}} He had seven sacks in his final season.{{Cite web |last=Skol Jr. |first=Mark |date=January 4, 2021 |title=Irish captain Ade Ogundeji says 'Thank You' to Notre Dame |url=https://www.wndu.com/2021/01/04/irish-captain-ade-ogundeji-says-thank-you-to-notre-dame/ |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=WNDU.com}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="4"| Interceptions ! colspan="3"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Total | Solo | Ast | Sack | PD | Int | Yds | TD | FF | FR | TD |
| 2016 || style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}"| 2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 0 || 0 || colspan="11"| {{abbr|DNP|Did not play}} | ||||||||||||
| 2017 || style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}"| 2017 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 || style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}"| 2018 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 13 || 0 || 23 || 12 || 11 || 1.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 || style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}"| 2019 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 13 || 1 || 34 || 17 || 17 || 4.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 || style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}"| 2020 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
| 12 || 12 || 23 || 15 || 8 || 7.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| align=center colspan="2" |Career || 43 || 13 || 80 || 44 || 36 || 13.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 6 || 2 || 1 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 1/2
| weight = 260
| dash = 4.78
| ten split = 1.71
| twenty split = 2.76
| shuttle = 4.65
| cone drill = 7.19
| vertical = 32.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 0
| bench = 22
| arm span = 35 1/2
| hand span = 9 1/2
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Adetokunbo Ogundeji Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/adetokunbo-ogundeji/32004f47-5542-4705-373a-12b265e7d6f4 |access-date=March 20, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2021 Draft Scout Adetokunbo Ogundeji, Notre Dame NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1026282&DraftYear=2021 |access-date=March 20, 2023 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |title=Adetokunbo Ogundeji 2021 NFL Draft Profile |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/104905 |access-date=March 20, 2023 |website=insider.espn.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320233524/https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/104905 |archive-date=2023-03-20}}
}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
Ogundeji was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round with the 182nd overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2021 |title=Falcons draft DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji in fifth round of NFL Draft |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-draft-de-adetokunbo-ogundeji-in-fifth-round-of-nfl-draft |access-date=May 24, 2021 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} He signed his four-year rookie contract with Atlanta on June 15, 2021.{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2021 |title=Falcons Sign Five Draft Picks |url=https://www.profootballrumors.com/2021/06/falcons-sign-five-draft-picks-2 |website=Pro Football Rumors}} During the 2021 season, Ogundeji appeared in 16 games, making 11 starts.{{cite web|title=Falcons release OLB Ade Ogundeji|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/ade-ogundeji-outside-linebacker-released-transaction|date=May 16, 2024|first=Terrin|last=Waack|website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}
Ogundeji started 16 games during the 2022 season.
On August 15, 2023, Ogundeji was placed on injured reserve.{{Cite web |last=Williams, Charean |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Falcons sign DL Demone Harris |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/falcons-sign-dl-demone-harris |access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On August 29, 2024, Ogundeji was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.{{cite web|title=Steelers sign eight to practice squad|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-seven-to-practice-squad|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=August 30, 2024}} On October 12, 2024, Ogundeji was promoted to the active roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-roster-moves-ahead-of-raiders-game|title=Steelers make roster moves ahead of Raiders game|website=www.steelers.com}}{{cite web |last1=Holcomb |first1=Dave |title=Ex-Falcons Edge Rusher Returns to Steelers |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/falcons/ade-ogundeji-pittsburgh-steelers-practice-squad-nfl-news |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=17 October 2024}} He was released on December 17.{{cite web|title=Steelers make practice squad moves|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-practice-squad-moves-x4435|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=December 17, 2024}}
=NFL career statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="3"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Total | Solo | Ast | Sck | Sfty | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | TD | |
| 2021 | ATL
| 16 || 11 || 33 || 18 || 15 || 1.0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ATL
| 16 || 16 || 42 || 19 || 23 || 2.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | PIT
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career | 33 | 27 | 75 | 37 | 38 | 3.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Personal life
He is of Nigerian descent through his father.{{Cite web |last=Berardino |first=Mike |title=Father's voice drives Ade Ogundeji as he makes his mark at Notre Dame |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2019/10/23/late-blooming-ade-ogundeji-making-his-mark-notre-dame/4064112002/ |website=The Indianapolis Star}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
- [https://und.com/roster/Adetokunbo-Ogundeji/ Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio]
{{Falcons2021DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ogundeji, Ade}}
Category:American players of American football of Nigerian descent
Category:Sportspeople from West Bloomfield, Michigan
Category:Players of American football from Oakland County, Michigan
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players