Arie Kouandjio
{{Short description|Cameroonian player of American football (born 1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Arie Kouandjio
| image = Arie Kouandjio 2016.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Kouandjio with the Washington Redskins in 2016
| current_team =
| number = 74, 60
| position = Offensive guard
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|4|23}}
| birth_place = Douala, Cameroon
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 316
| high_school = DeMatha Catholic {{nowrap|(Hyattsville, Maryland, U.S.)}}
| college = Alabama (2010–2014)
| draftyear = 2015
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 112
| pastteams = * Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2017}})*
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- New York Guardians ({{XFL Year|2020}})
| status =
| highlights = * 2× BCS national champion (2011, 2012)
- Second-team All-America (2014)
- First-team All-SEC (2014)
| pfr = KouaAr00
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 16
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 8
}}
Arie-Manuel Kouandjio (born April 23, 1992) is a Cameroonian former professional player of American football who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Early life
Georgette and Jean-Claude Kouandjio, Arie's mother and father, immigrated to the United States from Cameroon in 1998 when he was six years old.{{Cite web |last=Sabin |first=Rainer |date=2016-09-13 |title=As fellow NFL players sit for anthem, former Alabama OL proud to become an American |url=https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2016/09/as_fellow_nfl_players_sit_for.html |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=AL.com}}
Kouandjio initially attended High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland, where he played football for the Eagles program. After his sophomore year he was recruited and transferred to DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland along with his younger brother Cyrus, where he played football for the Stags program.{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2015 |title=Arie Kouandjio #60 OG |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/ariekouandjio/2552333/profile |access-date=March 30, 2019 |website=NFL}} He was a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.{{Cite web |title=Rivals.com |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Arie-Kouandjio-93907 |website=sports.yahoo.com}} In February 2010, he committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.{{cite web | last=Estes | first=Gentry | title=Offensive line recruit Arie Kouandjio set to sign with Alabama | website=AL.com| date=2010-02-03 | url=https://www.al.com/bamabeat/2010/02/ol_recruit_arie_kouandjio_set.html | access-date=2024-10-03}}{{Cite web |last=Bone |first=Andrew |title=ANDREW BONE: Arie Kouandjio Picks Bama |url=http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20100202/news/100209891}}
College career
Kouandjio was redshirted as a true freshman in 2010. As a redshirt freshman in 2011, he played in two games before a knee injury ended his season.{{cite web | last=Kausler Jr. | first=Don| title=Tide injury update: Arie Kouandjio might need season-ending knee surgery | website=AL.com| date=2011-10-10 | url=https://www.al.com/sports/2011/10/tide_injury_update_arie_kouand.html | access-date=2024-10-03}} As a sophomore in 2012, Kouandjio played in 11 of 14 games as a backup.{{cite web | last=Kausler Jr. | first=Don | title=Get to know Tide lineman Arie Kouandjio, who wants to start next to his brother | website=AL.com| date=2013-03-13 | url=https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2013/03/get_to_know_tide_lineman_arie.html | access-date=2024-10-03}} He became a starter for the first time as junior in 2013, starting all 13 games. Kouandjio returned as a starter his senior year in 2014.{{cite web | last=Kirkpatrick | first=Cliff | title=Tide’s Kouandjio a pleasant surprise on offensive line | website=Montgomery Advertiser | date=2014-10-31 | url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/alabama/2014/10/31/tides-kouandjio-pleasant-surprise-offensive-line/18227075/ | access-date=2024-10-03}} He started all 14 games and was named a second-team All-American.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4+3/4
| weight = 310
| dash =
| ten split =
| twenty split =
| shuttle =
| cone drill =
| vertical =
| broad ft =
| broad in =
| bench =
| arm span = 34+1/8
| hand span = 10+7/8
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Arie-Manuel Kouandjio Combine Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/arie-manuel-kouandjio/32194b4f-5505-0326-33d3-2a972c432b30 |access-date=September 16, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}
}}
=Washington Redskins (first stint)=
The Washington Redskins selected Kouandjio in the fourth round with the 112th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Czarda |first=Stephen |date=May 2, 2015 |title=Redskins Pick Arie Kouandjio In Fourth Round |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Pick-Arie-Kouandjio-In-Fourth-Round-/ae7ac56b-8b43-4d4d-8948-580323a5a080 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505004800/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Pick-Arie-Kouandjio-In-Fourth-Round-/ae7ac56b-8b43-4d4d-8948-580323a5a080 |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=May 3, 2015 |website=Redskins.com}} He signed a four-year contract on May 11, 2015.{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2015 |title=Nine Redskins Draft Picks Agree To Terms |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Nine-Redskins-Draft-Picks-Agree-To-Terms/107e54e5-dde6-488a-885a-8824cc641bcc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910040806/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Nine-Redskins-Draft-Picks-Agree-To-Terms/107e54e5-dde6-488a-885a-8824cc641bcc |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |access-date=May 21, 2015 |website=Redskins.com}}
On September 2, 2017, Kouandjio was waived by the Redskins.{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2017 |title=9/2: Redskins Make Roster Moves |url=http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/92-Redskins-Make-Roster-Moves/ec94fade-58e8-4d11-a499-b8317f337ae0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905031831/http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/92-Redskins-Make-Roster-Moves/ec94fade-58e8-4d11-a499-b8317f337ae0 |archive-date=September 5, 2017 |website=Redskins.com}}
=Baltimore Ravens=
On September 19, 2017, Kouandjio was signed to the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens.{{Cite web |last=Mink, Ryan |date=September 19, 2017 |title=Ravens Sign Two Offensive Linemen to 53-Man Roster |url=http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Sign-Two-Offensive-Linemen-to-53-Man-Roster/6fe0ab81-3e84-417e-94ba-589bc499d448 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023105658/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Sign-Two-Offensive-Linemen-to-53-Man-Roster/6fe0ab81-3e84-417e-94ba-589bc499d448 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com}}
=Washington Redskins (second stint)=
On October 28, 2017, Kouandjio was signed by the Redskins off the Ravens' practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Czarda, Stephen |date=October 28, 2017 |title=Redskins Sign Arie Kouandjio And Orlando Franklin |url=http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Redskins-Sign-Arie-Kouandjio-And-Orlando-Franklin/44015d4a-9122-4a3f-a0d1-47aba0e61110 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101190724/http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Redskins-Sign-Arie-Kouandjio-And-Orlando-Franklin/44015d4a-9122-4a3f-a0d1-47aba0e61110 |archive-date=November 1, 2017 |website=Redskins.com}} He played in eight games in 2017, starting six at right guard.
On May 15, 2018, it was announced that Kouandjio would undergo quad surgery for a partial tear.{{cite web | last=Patra | first=Kevin | title=Redskins G Arie Kouandjio to undergo quad surgery | website=NFL.com | date=2018-05-15 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-g-arie-kouandjio-to-undergo-quad-surgery-0ap3000000932901 | access-date=2024-10-03}} The next week, following the surgery, it was reported that Kouandjio would miss the entire 2018 season.{{Cite web |last=Williams, Charean |date=May 21, 2018 |title=Report: Arie Kouandjio will miss season after surgery |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/21/report-arie-kouandjio-will-miss-season-after-surgery/ |website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com}}{{Cite web |last=Czarda |first=Stephen |title=Redskins Sign Guard Isaiah Williams |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-guard-isaiah-williams |access-date=May 22, 2018 |website=Redskins.com}}
=New York Guardians=
Kouandjio was selected by the New York Guardians of the XFL in the 10th round in phase two in the 2020 XFL Draft.{{Cite news |date=October 15, 2019 |title=OFFENSIVE LINEMEN DRAFT TRACKER |work=XFL.com |url=https://www.xfl.com/en-US/articles/phase-2-offensive-line-draft-tracker |access-date=October 16, 2019}}
Personal life
Kouandjio's younger brother, Cyrus, who played at Alabama as an offensive tackle and was selected in second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web |date=April 14, 2013 |title=Alabama Crimson Tide linemen Cyrus and Arie Kouandjio just 'regular kids' |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-04-10/alabama-crimson-tide-spring-football-depth-chart-cyrus-arie-kouandjio-nick-saban |access-date=December 3, 2014 |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526002727/http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-04-10/alabama-crimson-tide-spring-football-depth-chart-cyrus-arie-kouandjio-nick-saban |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Czarda |first=Stephen |date=May 2, 2015 |title=Arie Kouandjio Spends Draft Weekend With His Brother, A Bills Guard |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/blog/article-1/Arie-Kouandjio-Spends-Draft-Weekend-With-His-Brother-A-Bills-Guard/164719e2-d054-460a-ab40-5ab7beed94f3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505020954/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/blog/article-1/Arie-Kouandjio-Spends-Draft-Weekend-With-His-Brother-A-Bills-Guard/164719e2-d054-460a-ab40-5ab7beed94f3 |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=May 3, 2015 |website=Redskins.com}} Kouandjio became a US citizen on September 13, 2016.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20141121141732/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/arie_kouandjio_713420.html Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
{{2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{Redskins2015DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kouandjio, Arie}}
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:American people of Cameroonian descent
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:New York Guardians players
Category:Players of American football from Maryland
Category:Sportspeople from the Washington metropolitan area
Category:Washington Redskins players