Eric Nzeocha
{{Short description|German-born American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Eric Nzeocha
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 46
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|4|01}}
| birth_place = Ansbach, Germany
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 218
| high_school = FOS Ansbach
(Ansbach, Germany)
| college = Wyoming
| undraftedyear = 2017
| pastteams =
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})*
| status =
| highlights =
| pfr = NzeoEr00
}}
Eric Nzeocha (born April 1, 1993) is a former German-born French-American football linebacker. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017. He played college football at Wyoming.
Early years
Nzeocha attended high school at FOS Ansbach. He began playing flag football for the Franken Knights youth team, before moving up to the Junior National Team of the Bavarian Football Association. He contributed to the German Junior National Team placing fourth in the U19 European Championship in Spain.
College career
His international exposure earned him a scholarship to play for the University of Wyoming. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 11 games, playing on special teams. He was named to the Academic All-Conference team.
As a sophomore, he was a backup tight end in all 12 games, registering 8 receptions for 65 yards. He was named to the Academic All-Conference team for the second time.
As a junior, he was converted into a linebacker. He appeared in 11 games with 5 starts at middle linebacker. He posted 35 tackles (20 solo), one tackle for loss, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. He made eight tackles against the University of North Dakota and the United States Air Force Academy. He was named to the Academic All-Conference team for the third time in his career. As a senior, he was a backup at middle linebacker.
Professional career
Nzeocha was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2017 NFL draft on May 25. He participated in the NFL's International Player Pathway program, and was the second German player to spend a season on Tampa Bay's practice squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-add-international-player-to-practice-squad-for-2017-season-18895247|title=Bucs Add International Player to Practice Squad for 2017 Season|website=www.buccaneers.com|access-date=September 3, 2017}} He was waived on September 2. On September 3, Nzeocha earned a spot on the 11-man practice squad as an international player.{{cite web|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-stay-home-for-practice-squad-19310955|title=Bucs Stay Home for Practice Squad|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=September 3, 2017}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers on January 1, 2018.{{cite web|title=Bucs Sign Eight to Futures Contracts|url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Sign-Eight-to-Futures-Contracts/5357cf6e-d600-4a4d-99f6-81500dd4bdab|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=January 3, 2018|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308005623/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Sign-Eight-to-Futures-Contracts/5357cf6e-d600-4a4d-99f6-81500dd4bdab|archivedate=March 8, 2018}}
On September 1, 2018, Nzeocha was waived by the Buccaneers and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Robinson, Tandy Among Cuts as Bucs Get to 53|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/robinson-tandy-among-cuts-as-bucs-get-to-53|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=September 1, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Bobo Wilson Returns on First Practice Squad|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bobo-wilson-returns-on-first-practice-squad|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=September 2, 2018}} He was released on January 7, 2019.
Personal life
His brother Mark Nzeocha plays linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers. Nzeocha is half Nigerian.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://gowyo.com/sports/football/roster/eric-nzeocha/1440 Wyoming Cowboys bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nzeocha, Eric}}
Category:German players of American football
Category:Sportspeople from Ansbach
Category:German sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Wyoming Cowboys football players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:International Player Pathway participants
Category:German expatriate sportspeople in the United States