Erik Ezukanma
{{Short description|American football player (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Erik Ezukanma
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team = Miami Dolphins
| number = 84
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|1|25}}
| birth_place = Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 206
| high_school = Timber Creek {{avoid wrap|(Fort Worth)}}
| college = Texas Tech (2018–2021)
| draftyear = 2022
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 125
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2022}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- First-team All-Big 12 (2020)
- Second-team All-Big 12 (2021)
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 1
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 3
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 =
| pfr = EzukEr00
}}
Chukwuerika "Erik" Ezukanma ({{IPAc-en|ɛ|z|u|ˈ|k|ɑː|n|m|ə}} {{respell|ezz|oo|KAHN|mə}};{{Cite web |title=Player Name Pronunciations |url=https://media.miamidolphins.com/player-name-pronunciations/ |access-date=August 21, 2022 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}} born January 25, 2000) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Early life
Ezukanma attended Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2015, as a sophomore, he was a second-team all-district selection. The next year, Ezukanma was an AP 6A first-team all-state selection and was named the District 3-6A Offensive MVP.{{Cite web |title=Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech, Wide Receiver |url=https://247sports.com/player/erik-ezukanma-94296/ |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=247 Sports}} Ezukanma finished his senior season with 37 receptions for 687 yards and nine touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Erik Ezukanma High School Football Stats Timber Creek (Fort Worth, TX) |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/erik-ezukanma/FLFzOvALEeS-8KA2nzwbTA/football/stats.htm |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=Max Preps}}
On December 20, 2017, Ezukanma signed his letter of intent for Texas Tech as a 4-star recruit.{{Cite web |title=Erik Ezukanma Timeline Events |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Erik-Ezukanma-94296/TimelineEvents/ |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=247 Sports}}
College career
Ezukanma saw limited playing during his freshman season, appearing in only two games. He caught his first collegiate touchdown from Colt Garret in the Red Raiders' game against Lamar.{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2018 |title=Texas Tech most points since '05 in 77-0 shutout over Lamar |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401013322 |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}
Ezukanma was added to the watch list for the Fred Biletnikoff Award in the middle of the 2020 season.{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2021 |title=Two Red Raiders make Biletnikoff watch list |url=https://www.everythinglubbock.com/sports/red-raider-nation/two-red-raiders-make-biletnikoff-watch-list/ |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=KAMC}} On November 28, against Oklahoma State, Ezukanma finished with seven receptions for a career high 183 yards along with two touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Ronald |date=November 28, 2020 |title=Texas Tech's comeback falls short against Oklahoma State |url=https://www.kcbd.com/2020/11/28/texas-tech-battling-oklahoma-state/ |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=KCBD}} At the end of the season, Ezukanma was named first-team All-Big 12 Conference.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2020 |title=2020 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced |url=https://big12sports.com/news/2020/12/16/2020-all-big-12-football-awards-announced.aspx |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=Big 12 Conference}}
Coming into the 2021 season, Ezukanma was included on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award and the Fred Biletnikoff Award.{{Cite web |title=2021 Maxwell Award Watch List |url=https://maxwellfootballclub.org/ |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=Maxwell Football Club}}{{Cite web |title=2021 Fred Biletnikoff Award Watch List |url=https://biletnikoffaward.com/the-tallahassee-quarterback-club-foundation-the-creator-and-sponsor-of-the-biletnikoff-award-recognizing-the-college-football-seasons-outstanding-fbs-receiver-regardless-of-position-announces-the-3/ |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=Tallahassee Quarterback Club Association}} He was also selected to the preseason first-team All-Big 12.{{Cite web |title=2021 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team |url=https://big12sports.com/documents/2021/7/7//2021_Big_12_Preseason_Team.pdf |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=Big 12 Conference}} Ezukanma broke his arm in the spring prior to the season, but was able to play in the team's season opener against Houston, finishing the game with seven receptions for 179 yards.{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Matt Wells provides update on Erik Ezukanma's injury recovery |url=https://www.everythinglubbock.com/sports/red-raider-nation/matt-wells-provides-update-on-erik-ezukanmas-injury-recovery/ |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=KAMC}}{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2021 |title=Shough, Brooks lead Texas Tech to 38-21 win over Houston |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401287886 |access-date=November 14, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} After the conclusion of the regular season, Ezukanma was named second-team All-Big 12.{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2021 |title=2021 All-Big 12 Football Team |url=https://big12sports.com/documents/2021/12/2//2021_All_Big_12_FB_Release.pdf?id=6445 |access-date=December 7, 2021 |website=Big 12 Conference}}
On December 23, 2021, Ezukanma announced that he would declare for the NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=James |date=December 23, 2021 |title=Texas Tech's Ezukanma to pursue his dreams in 2022 NFL draft |url=https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/texas-techs-ezukanma-to-pursue-his-dreams-in-2022-nfl-draft/ |access-date=December 23, 2021 |website=Everything Lubbock}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="4"| Receiving ! colspan="4"| Rushing | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2018 | Texas Tech
| 2 || 2 || 48 || 24.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2019 | Texas Tech
| 11 || 42 || 664 || 15.8 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2020 | Texas Tech
| 10 || 46 || 748 || 16.3 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2021 | Texas Tech
| 11 || 48 || 705 || 14.7 || 4 || 10 || 138 || 13.8 || 2 | ||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/erik-ezukanma-1.html Career] | 34 | 138 | 2,165 | 15.7 | 15 | 10 | 138 | 13.8 | 2 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 7/8
| weight = 209
| dash = 4.55
| ten split = 1.57
| twenty split = 2.59
| shuttle = 4.38
| cone drill = 7.20
| vertical = 36.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 6
| bench = 10
| arm span = 33 1/2
| hand span = 9 3/8
| wonderlic =
| note = Sources:{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Erik Ezukanma Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/erik-ezukanma/3200455a-5541-5291-fee6-830dca8a2c2a |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech, WR, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1024071&DraftYear=2022 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
Ezukanma was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round (125 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2022 |title=The Reaction: Miami Dolphins Select WR Erik Ezukanma with No. 125 Pick |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/the-reaction-miami-dolphins-select-erik-ezukanma-with-no-125-pick |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}} Ezukanma made his NFL debut in Week 18 against the New York Jets, recording his first career catch on a three–yard reception from Skylar Thompson.{{Cite web |last=Masala |first=Mike |date=February 8, 2023 |title=Dolphins WR Erik Ezukanma explains difficulty in jumping to the NFL |url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2023/02/08/dolphins-erik-ezuknama-transition-nfl/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Dolphins Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en}}
He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury on September 29, 2023.{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2023 |title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-x1159 |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}}
On August 27, 2024, Ezukanma was waived by the Dolphins and re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-8-27-24 |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}}{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-8-28-24 |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 28.{{cite web | title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves | website=Miami Dolphins | date=2024-12-28 | url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-28- | access-date=2025-02-11}}
Personal life
Ezukanma is the son of Lawrette Ezukanma. He is one of seven siblings.{{cite web |title=Erik Ezukanma - Football |url=https://texastech.com/sports/football/roster/erik-ezukanma/10256 |website=Texas Tech Red Raiders |access-date=7 June 2024 |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.miamidolphins.com/team/players-roster/erik-ezukanma/ Miami Dolphins bio]
- [https://texastech.com/sports/football/roster/erik-ezukanma/10256 Texas Tech Red Raiders bio]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ezukanma, Erik}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:American players of American football of Nigerian descent
Category:Texas Tech Red Raiders football players
Category:Players of American football from Fort Worth, Texas