Amani Oruwariye
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Amani Oruwariye
| image = Amani Oruwariye (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Oruwariye in 2019
| current_team = Tennessee Titans
| number = 42
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|2|9}}
| birth_place = St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 205
| high_school = Gaither (Tampa, Florida)
| college = Penn State (2014–2018)
| draftyear = 2019
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 146
| pastteams =
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2019|2022}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2023}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 202
| statlabel2 = Pass deflections
| statvalue2 = 27
| statlabel3 = Interceptions
| statvalue3 = 10
| statlabel4 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue5 = 2
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 =
| pfr = OruwAm00
}}
Amani Horatio Oruwariye ({{IPAc-en|ɔːr|u|ˈ|w|ɑːr|i|ˌ|j|eɪ}} {{respell|or|oo|WAR|ee|YAY}};{{Cite web |title=2022 Detroit Lions Media Guide |url=https://static.www.nfl.com/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2022/DET.pdf |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=NFL.com |publisher=National Football League}} born February 9, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State.
Early life
Oruwariye lettered for three years at Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida.{{cite web | title=Gaither alum selected in NFL Draft | website=The Laker/Lutz News | date=2019-05-08 | url=https://lakerlutznews.com/gaither-alum-selected-in-nfl-draft/ | access-date=2024-11-04}} As a senior, he was voted team MVP and invited to the Hillsborough County All-Star Game.{{cite web | title=‘Tampa Teaches You How to Be Cool Around Greatness’: Local Ties in the 2019 Senior Bowl | website=Buccaneers.com| date=2019-01-26 | url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/tampa-teaches-you-how-to-be-cool-around-greatness-local-ties-in-the-2019-senior-?campaign=sf%3Afanshare%3Afacebook | access-date=2024-11-04}} He was ranked a three star recruit by all four major recruiting services, and 247Sports and Rivals rated him a top 100 prospect in the state of Florida. Oruwariye committed to Vanderbilt University early in his senior year before decommitting and following Head Coach James Franklin to Penn State.{{cite web | title=Penn State gets commitment from DB Oruwariye | website=LancasterOnline | date=2014-01-30 | url=https://lancasteronline.com/sports/local_sports/penn-state-gets-commitment-from-db-oruwariye/article_40dfa7d2-89e2-11e3-aa6b-0017a43b2370.html | access-date=2024-11-04}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=|collapse=no|year=2014}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Amani Oruwariye
| position = CB
| hometown = Tampa, FL
| highschool = Tampa (FL) Gaither
| feet = 6
| inches = 1
| weight = 180
| 40 =
| commitdate =January 30, 2014
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars = 3
| espn grade = 73
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit End
| 40 = no
| year = 2014
}}
College career
Oruwariye redshirted his true freshman season at Penn State, then appeared in mostly special teams action during his redshirt freshman year.{{Cite web |last=Twentyman |first=Tim |last2=OHara |first2=Mike |date=2019-04-27 |title=A CLOSER LOOK: Cornerback Amani Oruwariye |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/a-closer-look-cornerback-amani-oruwariye |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Detroit Lions}}
In 2016, Oruwariye saw more time en route to Penn State's first Big Ten Championship Game victory. He logged his first interception against Kent State, which he proceeded to return for a touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Schutte |first=Dustin |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Amani Oruwariye gets a pick-six for Penn State |url=https://saturdaytradition.com/penn-state-football/amani-oruwariye-gets-pick-six-penn-state/ |access-date=January 30, 2019 |website=Saturday Tradition |language=en-US}} He finished the season with 23 total tackles.{{Cite web|url=http://gopsusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1385|title=Amani Oruwariye - Football|website=Penn State University Athletics|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2019}}
Oruwariye burst onto the national scene in 2017 due to his personal-best four interceptions, good for fourth in the Big Ten.{{cite web | last=McGonigal | first=John | title=Penn State ball-hawk Amani Oruwariye opened eyes in 2017. Now what? | website=Centre Daily Times | date=2018-07-06 | url=https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-football/article214174459.html | access-date=2024-11-04}}{{cite web | title=Penn State's Amani Oruwariye looking forward to leadership role in 2018 | website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=2018-07-24 | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/psu/2018/07/24/amani-oruwariye-penn-state-defense-big-ten-media-days-2018/stories/201807240118 | access-date=2024-11-04}} He earned recognition from both coaches and the media, who elected him second all-B1G.{{Cite web|url=http://btn.com/2017/11/28/view-the-2017-all-big-ten-football-defensive-teams/|title=View the 2017 All-Big Ten Football Defensive Teams|website=Big Ten Network|date=November 28, 2017|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2019}} He appeared in all but one game as Penn State clinched its first Fiesta Bowl victory since 1997.
Oruwariye carried his junior year momentum into his redshirt senior year, starting in each of Penn State's 12 games, picking off three passes, and tallying a career highs in tackles, pass defenses, and forced fumbles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/amani-oruwariye-1.html|title=Amani Oruwariye College Stats|website=Sports Reference|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2019}} His excellence was recognized by coaches, media, the Associated Press, and ESPN, all of whom named him to their All-B1G teams.{{cite web | last=Juliano | first=Joe | title=Amani Oruwariye on track to be first Penn State cornerback drafted in first round | website=Inquirer.com | date=2018-12-28 | url=https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/penn-state/penn-state-nittany-lions-amani-oruwariye-nfl-draft-miles-sanders-20181228.html | access-date=2024-11-04}} He received an invite to the Reese's Senior Bowl amidst discussions that he could potentially be a first round pick.{{cite web | last=Pickel | first=Greg | title=Penn State’s Trace McSorley, Amani Oruwariye, accept Senior Bowl invitations | website=pennlive | date=2018-11-21 | url=https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2018/11/penn-states-trace-mcsorley-amani-oruwariye-accept-senior-bowl-invitations.html | access-date=2024-11-04}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 5/8
| weight = 205
| dash = 4.47
| ten split = 1.63
| twenty split = 2.66
| shuttle = 4.16
| cone drill = 6.82
| vertical = 36.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 0
| bench = 17
| arm span = 31 3/8
| hand span = 9
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/amani-oruwariye/32004f52-5549-0506-d45d-e0e76f0f35db |title=Amani Oruwariye Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 19, 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=131377&DraftYear=2019 |title=Amani Oruwariye, Penn State, CB, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=December 19, 2021}}
}}
=Detroit Lions=
Oruwariye was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2019/draft.htm |access-date=May 18, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the season with two interceptions and third on the Lions' depth chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/04/27/detroit-lions-armani-oruwariye-2019-nfl-draft/3599022002/ |title=Detroit Lions take Amani Oruwariye in Round 5 of 2019 NFL draft |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |first=Dave |last=Birkett |date=April 27, 2019 |access-date=April 27, 2019}}{{Cite web |title=Amani Oruwariye 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OruwAm00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Oruwariye was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Lions on July 29, 2020,{{cite news |author=Rogers, Justin |title=Kenny Golladay, T.J. Hockenson among Lions placed on COVID reserve list |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/07/29/kenny-golladay-t-j-hockenson-among-detroit-lions-placed-covid-reserve-list/5540723002/ |website=DetroitNews.com |date=July 29, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2020}} and was activated 10 days later.{{cite news |title=T.J. Hockenson among 3 Lions removed from COVID-19 reserve list |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/08/08/hockenson-among-3-detroit-lions-players-removed-coronavirus-reserve-list/3328000001/ |website=DetroitNews.com |date=August 8, 2020 |access-date=August 11, 2020}}
In Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers, Oruwariye recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by P. J. Walker during the 20–0 loss.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers - November 22nd, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011220car.htm |access-date=November 28, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 2020 season, he appeared in 16 games and started 15. He finished with 53 total tackles (45 solo), one interception, and seven passes defended.{{Cite web |title=Amani Oruwariye 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OruwAm00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Oruwariye entered the 2021 season as a starting cornerback for the Lions. He started the first 14 games before suffering a thumb injury in Week 15. He was placed on injured reserve on December 25, ending his season.{{cite web | last=Birkett | first=Dave | title=Detroit Lions' Amani Oruwariye (thumb) on injured reserve | website=Detroit Free Press | date=2021-12-25 | url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2021/12/25/detroit-lions-amani-oruwariye-thumb-injury-ir/9017227002/ | access-date=2024-11-04}} He finished the season with 57 tackles, and a team-leading 11 passes defensed and six interceptions.{{Cite web |title=Amani Oruwariye 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OruwAm00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was third in the NFL in interceptions at the time of his injury.
In the 2022 season, Oruwariye finished with 44 total tackles (36 solo), three passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 14 games and five starts.{{Cite web |title=Amani Oruwariye 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OruwAm00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=New York Giants=
On March 23, 2023, Oruwariye signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the New York Giants.{{Cite web |last=Citak |first=Matt |date=March 23, 2023 |title=Former Lions CB Amani Oruwariye joins Giants |url=https://www.giants.com/news/amani-oruwariye-contract-stats-signed-free-agency-nfl-detroit-lions-2023 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Giants.com}} He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Giants announce 53-man roster for 2023 |url=https://www.giants.com/news/new-york-giants-roster-2023-nfl-season-joe-schoen-brian-daboll-transactions |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Giants.com}}{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Giants sign 12 players to practice squad |url=https://www.giants.com/news/new-york-giants-practice-squad-roster-nfl-2023-cole-beasley-darrian-beavers |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Giants.com}} He was released on October 10.{{cite web | title=WR Cole Beasley restored to Giants practice squad | website=Giants.com| date=2023-10-10 | url=https://www.giants.com/news/cole-beasley-restored-to-practice-squad-roster-amani-oruwariye-cam-sims-bills | access-date=2024-11-04}}
= Jacksonville Jaguars =
On October 16, 2023, Oruwariye was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.{{Cite web |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign CB Amani Oruwariye to Practice Squad, Release OLB Derek Parish |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/roster-moves-jaguars-sign-cb-amani-oruwariye-to-practice-squad-release-olb-derek |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Jaguars.com}} He was active in one game in the 2023 season, Week 17 against the Panthers.{{Cite web |title=Amani Oruwariye 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OruwAm00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.{{cite web | last=Stites | first=Adam | title=Jaguars sign 11 players to reserve/future contracts | website=Jaguars Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2024-01-08 | url=https://jaguarswire.usatoday.com/lists/jaguars-2024-reserve-future-contracts-deals-practice-squad/ | access-date=2024-11-04}} He was released on August 27, 2024.{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Roster Moves: Jacksonville Jaguars Make The Following Roster Moves Hours Before 2024 Roster Deadline |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/roster-moves-jacksonville-jaguars-make-the-following-roster-moves-hours-before-2024-roster-deadline |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Jaguars.com}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
Oruwariye was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on August 29, 2024.{{cite web|title=Carl Lawson, Dalvin Cook headline list of Dallas Cowboys' practice squad signings|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/carl-lawson-headlines-list-of-dallas-cowboys-practice-squad-signings|author=Walker, Patrik|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 28, 2024}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 26.{{cite web | last=Gurzi | first=Randy | title=Cowboys promote ball-hawking cornerback from practice squad to active roster | website=SI.com | date=2024-10-26 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-cowboys-promote-ball-hawking-cornerback-amani-oruwariye | access-date=2024-11-04}} In the Week 14 Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, with two minutes to go in a 20–20 game, Oruwariye muffed a blocked punt, which was eventually recovered by the Bengals for a first down. The Bengals would score the winning touchdown soon after. Oruwariye refused to speak to the media after the game concluded, and wore a towel on his head while walking to the locker room.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Ryan |date=December 10, 2024 |title=Cowboys Commit Disastrous Miscue on Blocked Punt to Hand Bengals Win |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys-blocked-punt-muffed-punt-bengals-win |access-date=December 11, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-US}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On May 13, 2025, Oruwariye signed with the Tennessee Titans.{{cite web|title=Titans Sign CB Amani Oruwariye and DL Carlos Watkins, Release DL Abdullah Anderson|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-cb-amani-oruwariye-and-dl-carlos-watkins-release-dl-abdullah-anderson|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=May 13, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Twitter|ooFUTURISTICoo}}
{{footballstats|yahoo=31978|espn=3116175|nfl=amani-oruwariye}}
- [https://www.tennesseetitans.com/team/players-roster/amani-oruwariye/ Tennessee Titans bio]
- [https://gopsusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1385 Penn State Nittany Lions bio]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Oruwariye, Amani}}
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:New York Giants players
Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football players