Duke Ihenacho

{{Short description|American football player (born 1989)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Duke Ihenacho

| image = Duke Ihenacho 2016.jpg

| caption = Ihenacho with the Washington Redskins in 2016

| current_team =

| number = 33, 35, 24, 29

| position = Safety

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|6|16}}

| birth_place = Torrance, California, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lbs = 212

| high_school = Junípero Serra
(Gardena, California)

| college = San Jose State

| undraftedyear = 2012

| pastteams = * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2012}}–{{NFL Year|2013}})

| status =

| highlights = * 3× First-team All-WAC (2008, 2009, 2011)

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 145

| statlabel2 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue2 = 3

| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue3 = 2

| statlabel4 = Pass deflections

| statvalue4 = 8

| pfr = IhenDu00

}}

Duke Uba Ihenacho (born June 16, 1989) is a former American football safety. He played college football at San Jose State. He signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2012 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Washington Redskins and New York Giants.

Early life

Born in Torrance, California, Ihenacho grew up in Carson, California and graduated from Junípero Serra High School at Gardena in 2007. He is of Nigerian descent.{{cite news|last=Curtis|first=Jake|title=Nacho Brothers have appetite for defense|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/23/SPMV13N8O8.DTL|accessdate=May 11, 2012|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=October 24, 2008}} Although Ihenacho's mother did not allow him to play Pop Warner football, he joined the Serra High School football team in junior year after playing basketball and baseball most of his childhood.{{cite web|title=Ihenacho brothers lead San Jose St. defense|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=3658226|date=October 22, 2008|access-date=May 11, 2012|publisher=AP}} A three-star recruit, Ihenacho attracted two offers from New Mexico State and San Jose State. On February 27, 2007, Ihenacho signed with San Jose State.{{cite web|title=Duke Ihenacho-Recruiting|url=http://www.scout.com/player/85490-duke-ihenacho/recruiting?year=2006&s=199|access-date=December 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229100700/http://www.scout.com/player/85490-duke-ihenacho/recruiting?year=2006&s=199|archive-date=December 29, 2016|url-status=dead}}

{{College athlete recruit start|40=yes|collapse=|year=2007}}

{{College athlete recruit entry

| recruit = Duke Ihenacho

| position = S

| hometown = Carson, California

| highschool = Junípero Serra HS

| feet = 6

| inches = 1

| weight = 191

| 40 = 4.73

| commitdate = February 7, 2007

| scout stars = 3

| rivals stars = 2

| 247 stars = 3

| espn grade = 70

}}

{{College athlete recruit end

| 40 = yes

| year = 2007

| rivals ref title = San Jose St. Football Commitment List

| scout ref title = San Jose State College Football Team Recruiting Prospects

| espn ref title = San Jose State Spartans 2007 player commits

| 247 ref title = San Jose State 2007 Football Commits

| rivals school = sanjosestate

| scout s = 199

| 247 school = sanjosestate

| espn schoolid = 23

| scout overall = 54 (S); 102 (school)

| rivals overall = 104 (school)

| 247 overall = 74 (S), 124 (CA), 88 (school)

| accessdate = August 3, 2013

| archivedate =

| rivals archiveurl=

| scout archiveurl =

| espn archiveurl =

}}

College career

File:Duke Ihenacho.jpg

At San Jose State University, Ihenacho played five seasons with the Spartans football team under coaches Dick Tomey (2007 to 2009) and Mike MacIntyre (2010 to 2011). Ihenacho played on the team with his older brother Carl Ihenacho until 2009.{{cite web|title=Duke Ihenacho|url=http://www.sjsuspartans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5600&ATCLID=1134834|publisher=San Jose State Spartans|accessdate=May 11, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507035624/http://www.sjsuspartans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5600&ATCLID=1134834|archivedate=May 7, 2012}}

Ihenacho entered the Spartans in 2007 as the youngest player on the team and ended the year with 32 tackles, the most for a San Jose State freshman since 2004. On September 29, Ihenacho made the only blocked punt in a win against UC Davis. Following the blocked punt, quarterback Adam Tafralis made a 47-yard touchdown pass.{{cite web|title=San Jose St. 34, UC Davis 14|url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272720023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712171831/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272720023|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2012|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=May 11, 2012|date=September 29, 2007}} Ihenacho made a season-high seven tackles on October 12 against Hawaii and forced a fumble in that game as well. San Jose State ended 2007 with a 5–7 record (4–4 in Western Athletic Conference games).{{cite web|title=San Jose State 2007 football schedule|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/23/year/2007/san-jose-state-spartans|publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 11, 2012}}

In 2008, ESPN ranked Carl and Duke Ihenacho as one of the top ten brother combinations in college football for being among the top defensive players in FBS football.{{cite web|last=Feldman|first=Bruce|title=Best brother acts of all time|url=https://proxy.espn.com/college-football/blog?name=feldman_bruce&id=3708942|publisher=ESPN|date=November 17, 2008|access-date=May 11, 2012}} By mid-October 2008, Duke led the FBS in interceptions. In both the October 11 game against Utah State and October 18 game against New Mexico State, Ihenacho scored a 43-yard touchdown off an interception. Ihenacho's two interceptions in the Utah State game marked the only such time in the 2008 season. Ihenacho played as a linebacker in 2008 and was a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) selection. San Jose State finished 2008 one game up from 2007, 6-6 (but still 4–4 in WAC).{{cite web|title=San Jose State 2008 football schedule|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/23/year/2008/san-jose-state-spartans|publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 11, 2012}}

However, San Jose State finished the 2009 season 2-10 (1-7 WAC). In 2009, Ihenacho made 89 tackles, the second-most in the team that year, and tied his individual game high of 12 on October 10 against Idaho and November 21 against Hawaii.{{cite web|title=San Jose State football schedule, 2009|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/23/year/2009/san-jose-state-spartans|publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 11, 2012}} San Jose State football coach Dick Tomey retired after 2009, and Mike MacIntyre became the new head coach.{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4752601 | title=MacIntyre formally introduced | publisher=Associated Press | date=December 17, 2009}} In MacIntyre's first season, the Spartans finished 1-11 (0-8 WAC).{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/23/year/2010/san-jose-state-spartans|title=San Jose State 2010 football schedule|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 21, 2014}} Ihenacho played only in two games of 2010 before a season-ending injury.{{cite web|last=Wilner|first=John|title=San Jose State football: Grading the Week|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2010/09/20/san-jose-state-football-grading-the-week-10/|work=San Jose Mercury News|accessdate=May 11, 2012|date=September 20, 2010}}

2011 was a better season for the San Jose State Spartans, who finished 5-7 (3-4 WAC).{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/23/year/2011/san-jose-state-spartans|title=San Jose State 2011 football schedule|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 21, 2014}} Ihenacho made 73 tackles in 2011, the third-most in the team, and led the team in deflected passes with six. Ihenacho made his third career touchdown on October 1 with a 20-yard fumble return against Colorado State. That was also the first fumble returned for a touchdown by a San Jose State player since 2004.{{cite news|last=Howell|first=Brian|title=San Jose State snaps 13-game road losing streak|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_19021537|newspaper=San Jose Mercury News|date=October 2, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613095905/http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_19021537?nclick_check=1|archivedate=June 13, 2022|url-status=dead}} In four games, Ihenacho made 10 or more tackles, including a season high 11 each against Idaho and Utah State.

On October 14, 2011, San Jose State rallied in its homecoming game to beat Hawaii 28–27. ESPN carried that game as part of College Football Friday Primetime. With San Jose State down 27–20 in the fourth quarter, Ihenacho recovered a blocked point after touchdown and took the ball to the end zone for a defensive two-point conversion. San Jose State won despite five turnovers.{{cite web|title=San Jose St. gets best of Hawaii in turnover-filled affair|url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312870023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016165354/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312870023|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 16, 2011|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=May 11, 2012|date=October 14, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_19118469 |work=San Jose Mercury News |title=San Jose State overcomes six turnovers to beat Hawaii |date=October 15, 2011 |author=Faraudo, Jeff |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207120344/http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_19118469?source=most_viewed |archivedate=December 7, 2011 |url-status=live }} Geico nominated Ihenacho's conversion as the company's Play of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHg6zCirB0M|title=San Jose State's Duke Ihenacho and his blocked extra point return|work=YouTube|accessdate=September 21, 2014}} Ihenacho earned his third first-team All-WAC selection in 2011.{{cite web|title=Ihenacho, Johnson & Otten 1st Team All-WAC|url=http://www.sjsuspartans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5600&ATCLID=205342664|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910233404/http://www.sjsuspartans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5600&ATCLID=205342664|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2012|publisher=San Jose State Spartans|accessdate=May 11, 2012|date=December 5, 2011}} In December 2011, Ihenacho graduated from San Jose State with a B.A. in communication studies.{{cite web|title=2012 San Jose State University Commencement Student-Athlete Participation|url=http://www.sjsuspartans.com/downloads2/452906.pdf|publisher=San Jose State Spartan|accessdate=June 10, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110190211/http://nmnathletics.com/downloads2/452906.pdf|archivedate=November 10, 2013}}

Professional career

=Pre-draft=

Ihenacho was considered one of the top strong safeties in the 2012 NFL draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1272768/duke-ihenacho|title=Duke Ihenacho, SS|work=CBSSports.com|accessdate=September 21, 2014}} and was projected as a 5th round pick.

{{nfl predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 0

| weight = 213

| dash = 4.68

| ten split = 1.62

| twenty split = 2.65

| shuttle = 4.22

| cone drill = 6.78

| vertical = 35

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 2

| bench = 20

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 32¾

| hand span = 9¼

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/profiles/duke-ihenacho?id=2532868|title=Duke Ihenacho Draft Profile – NFL.com|work=NFL.com|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=69133&draftyear=2012&genpos=SS|title=Duke Ihenacho - San Jose State, SS : 2012 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile|publisher=|accessdate=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020142028/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=69133&draftyear=2012&genpos=SS|archive-date=October 20, 2015|url-status=dead}}}}

=Denver Broncos=

File:Duke Ihenacho Broncos.jpg in 2012.]]

Ihenacho signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2012 NFL draft on April 28, 2012.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2012/04/28/broncos-agree-sign-10-undrafted-rookies/13246/|work=Denver Post|title=Broncos agree to sign 12 undrafted rookies|first=Lindsay|last=Jones|date=April 28, 2012|access-date=May 7, 2012|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006091401/http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2012/04/28/broncos-agree-sign-10-undrafted-rookies/13246/|url-status=dead}} Ihenacho played all four games of the 2012 preseason and made seven tackles during the preseason.{{cite web|title=Duke Ihenacho game log, 2012|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/dukeihenacho/2532868/gamelogs|publisher=NFL|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}

The Broncos signed Ihenacho to the practice squad on September 1 and activated Ihenacho from the practice squad on September 29, 2012.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=Broncos Bring Back RB Johnson To Practice Squad|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/09/01/broncos-bring-back-rb-johnson-to-practice-squad/|publisher=CBS Denver|date=September 1, 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Klis|first=Mike|title=Broncos safety Quinton Carter goes on season-ending injured reserve Read more: Broncos safety Quinton Carter goes on season-ending injured reserve|url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_21663769/broncos-safety-quinton-carter-goes-season-ending-injured|accessdate=October 3, 2012|newspaper=Denver Post|date=September 30, 2012}} On October 11, 2012, the Broncos released Ihenacho. They later signed him back to the practice squad on October 13 and to the active roster again on November 1. Ihenacho made one assisted tackle in his second game of the season, November 4 (Week 9) in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. On November 13, 2012, he was waived by the Broncos.{{cite web|author=Denver Post|title=Broncos waive Duke Ihenacho; roster spot opens for D.J. Williams|url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_21989286/broncos-waive-duke-ihenacho-roster-spot-opens-d|work=Denver Post|date=November 13, 2012|accessdate=November 14, 2012}} Three days later, the Broncos re-signed Ihenacho to the practice squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/team/transactions.html|title=Denver Broncos - Transactions|publisher=|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}

In the 2013 offseason, Ihenacho began turning heads, showing very good cover skills and run stopping abilities. In the first released depth chart, Ihenacho climbed all the way to the number two spot for strong safety, pushing Mike Adams for the starting job. In the Broncos' first 2013 preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, Ihenacho was in with the starters and led the team with 7 tackles, one being for a loss, and also had a forced fumble, which Rahim Moore recovered.

On September 5, 2013, Ihenacho started his first NFL game at strong safety against the Baltimore Ravens. He recorded 11 solo tackles and had one assisted tackle in Denver's 49–27 win.

On September 15, in the Broncos' 41–23 win over the New York Giants, Ihenacho hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field.{{cite web|url=http://www.milehighreport.com/2013/9/15/4734930/injuries-ihenacho-ayers-clady-hurt-in-broncos-41-23-win-over-giants|title=Denver Broncos Injuries: Ihenacho, Ayers, Clady hurt in Broncos' 41-23 win over Giants|date=September 16, 2013|work=Mile High Report|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}

On October 6, in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, Ihenacho recovered a fumble by Dez Bryant, forced by rookie teammate, Kayvon Webster in the 51–48 win.

Ihenacho started Super Bowl XLVIII for the Broncos and had 9 tackles in the Broncos' 43–8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201402020den.htm |title=Super Bowl XLVIII - Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos - February 2nd, 2014 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=November 3, 2017}}

Ihenacho was waived by the Broncos on August 30, 2014, before the start of the 2014 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26439302/duke-ihenacho-kevin-vickerson-among-broncos-cuts|title=Duke Ihenacho, Kevin Vickerson among Broncos cuts|first=Mike|last=Klis|work=DenverPost.com|date=August 30, 2014|accessdate=August 31, 2014}}

=Washington Redskins=

The Washington Redskins claimed Ihenacho off waivers on August 31, 2014.{{cite news|work=NBCSports.com|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/31/duke-ihenacho-claimed-by-redskins/|title=Duke Ihenacho claimed by Redskins|first=Josh|last=Alper|date=August 31, 2014|accessdate=August 31, 2014}} He suffered a fracture in his left foot in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/DeAngelo-Hall-Out-For-Year-With-Ruptured-Achilles/0af466c3-0f3c-4ae1-a0e2-9aed757eed9f|title=DeAngelo Hall Out For Year With Ruptured Achilles|first=Andrew|last=Walker|date=September 22, 2014|accessdate=September 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924033800/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/DeAngelo-Hall-Out-For-Year-With-Ruptured-Achilles/0af466c3-0f3c-4ae1-a0e2-9aed757eed9f|archive-date=September 24, 2014|url-status=dead}} He was placed on injured reserve the next day.{{cite web|work=NBCSports.com|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/22/duke-ihenacho-joins-deangelo-hall-on-ir/|title=Duke Ihenacho joins DeAngelo Hall on IR|first=Josh|last=Alper|date=September 22, 2014|accessdate=September 22, 2014}}

The Redskins re-signed Ihenacho to a one-year contract on March 4, 2015.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2015/03/04/redskins-re-sign-safety-duke-ihenacho|title=Redskins re-sign safety Duke Ihenacho|first=Mike|last=Jones|date=March 4, 2015|accessdate=March 4, 2015}} By the end of training camp, he beat out Jeron Johnson for the starting strong safety position.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2015/06/10/johnson-and-ihenacho-lay-the-foundation-for-training-camp-battle-at-strong-safety/|title=Johnson and Ihenacho lay the foundation for training-camp battle at strong safety|first=Mike|last=Jones|date=June 10, 2015|accessdate=September 15, 2015}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 15, 2015, after dislocating and fracturing his left wrist in the first game of the 2015 season.{{cite news|last1=McMillan|first1=Keith|title=Redskins sign cornerback Will Blackmon, place Duke Ihenacho on IR|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2015/09/15/redskins-sign-cornerback-will-blackmon-place-duke-ihenacho-on-ir/|newspaper=Washington Post|accessdate=September 16, 2015}}

On March 9, 2016, Ihenacho re-signed with the Redskins on another one-year contract.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Re-Sign-Safety-Duke-Ihenacho/a4f5a9a7-1a57-413c-b498-0d988d955e4e|title=Redskins Re-Sign Safety Duke Ihenacho|date=March 9, 2016|first=Stephen|last=Czarda|accessdate=March 11, 2016}} He wasn't resigned after the 2016 season and became a free agent.

= New York Giants =

On May 25, 2017, Ihenacho signed with the New York Giants.{{cite web|title=Giants add defensive depth with DE Devin Taylor, Safety Duke Ihenacho|url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-add-defensive-depth-with-DE-Devin-Taylor-Safety-Duke-Ihenacho/a624f1c7-d2bd-4f3d-ab65-2b12b4fa639d|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=May 25, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2017, with a knee injury.{{cite web|title=New York Giants make first round of roster cuts|url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/New-York-Giants-make-first-round-of-roster-cuts/9ebed6f7-d4b3-46ac-babf-f8dae0af873f|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=September 1, 2017|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007013033/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/New-York-Giants-make-first-round-of-roster-cuts/9ebed6f7-d4b3-46ac-babf-f8dae0af873f|archive-date=October 7, 2017|url-status=dead}} He was released on September 5, 2017.{{cite web | last=Benton | first=Dan | title=Giants release Mykkele Thompson, Duke Ihenacho with injury settlements | website=Giants Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2017-09-06 | url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2017/09/06/new-york-giants-release-mykkele-thompson-duke-ihenacho-injury-settlements/80611124007/ | access-date=2025-06-01}}

NFL career statistics

class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! colspan="2"| Legend

Bold

| Career high

=Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan="2"| Year

!rowspan="2"| Team

!colspan="2"| Games

!colspan="5"| Tackles

!colspan="5"| Interceptions

!colspan="4"| Fumbles

GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2012DEN

| 2 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

2013DEN

| 15 || 14 || 74 || 57 || 17 || 0.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 6 || 3 || 2 || 0 || 0

2014WAS

| 3 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

2015WAS

| 1 || 1 || 3 || 1 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

2016WAS

| 15 || 10 || 66 || 54 || 12 || 0.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

colspan="2"|3625145112330.06000083200

=Playoffs=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan="2"| Year

!rowspan="2"| Team

!colspan="2"| Games

!colspan="5"| Tackles

!colspan="5"| Interceptions

!colspan="4"| Fumbles

GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2013DEN

| 3 || 3 || 15 || 10 || 5 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

colspan="2"|33151050.00000000000

References

{{Reflist|3}}