Jeff Okudah
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jeff Okudah
| image = Jeff Okudah 2022.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Okudah with Lions in 2022
| current_team = Minnesota Vikings
| number = 21
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1999|02|02}}
| birth_place = Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 205
| high_school = South Grand Prairie
| college = Ohio State (2017–2019)
| draftyear = 2020
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 3
| pastteams = * Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2023}})
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights = * Unanimous All-American (2019)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2019)
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 177
| statlabel2 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue2 = 1
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Pass deflections
| statvalue4 = 14
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 2
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = OkudJe00
}}
Jeffrey Chidera Okudah (born February 2, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2019 before being selected by the Detroit Lions with the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Early life
Okudah was born in Grand Prairie, Texas to Nigerian parents.{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Justin |date=October 28, 2020 |title='It's right there, right at home': Nigerian unrest hits close to home for Lions quartet |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/10/28/nigeria-unrest-hits-close-home-detroit-lions-romeo-julian-okwara-amani-oruwariye-jeff-okudah/3745466001/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}} He attended South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas.{{Cite web |last=Davenport, Richard |date=October 4, 2015 |title=Texas defensive back impresses off the field, too |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/oct/04/texas-defensive-back-impresses-off-the--1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927043906/https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/oct/04/texas-defensive-back-impresses-off-the--1/ |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=September 27, 2019 |website=Arkansas Democrat Gazette}}{{Cite web |last=Zaleon |first=Avi |date=February 3, 2016 |title=Say hello to the new No.1 recruit in DFW: South Grand Prairie's Jeffrey Okudah |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/2016/02/03/say-hello-to-the-new-no-1-recruit-in-dfw-south-grand-prairie-s-jeffrey-okudah/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421052351/https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/2016/02/03/say-hello-to-the-new-no-1-recruit-in-dfw-south-grand-prairie-s-jeffrey-okudah/ |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=September 27, 2019 |website=Dallas News}} A five-star recruit, he committed to Ohio State University in January 2017.{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Max |date=January 7, 2017 |title=Five-star safety Jeffrey Okudah commits to Ohio State |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/18426998/ohio-state-buckeyes-lands-jeffrey-okudah-five-star-safety-texas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927043905/https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/18426998/ohio-state-buckeyes-lands-jeffrey-okudah-five-star-safety-texas |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=September 27, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2017 |title=Ohio State lands commitment from five-star athlete Jeffrey Okudah |url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/01/07/ohio-state-buckeyes-jeffrey-okudah-commitment |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927043906/https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/01/07/ohio-state-buckeyes-jeffrey-okudah-commitment |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=September 27, 2019 |website=SI.com |via=Scout.com}}
College career
As a true freshman at Ohio State in 2017, Okudah played in all 14 games and had 17 tackles.{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Bill |date=April 4, 2018 |title=Ohio State football | Jeffrey Okudah has persevered through pain |url=https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20180404/ohio-state-football--jeffrey-okudah-has-persevered-through-pain |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927043859/https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20180404/ohio-state-football--jeffrey-okudah-has-persevered-through-pain |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=September 27, 2019 |website=The Columbus Dispatch}}{{Cite web |last=May |first=Tim |date=September 15, 2018 |title=Ohio State-TCU | Buckeyes' Jeffrey Okudah has history with Horned Frogs QB |url=https://www.buckeyextra.com/sports/20180915/ohio-state-tcu--buckeyes-jeffrey-okudah-has-history-with-horned-frogs-qb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927044058/https://www.buckeyextra.com/sports/20180915/ohio-state-tcu--buckeyes-jeffrey-okudah-has-history-with-horned-frogs-qb |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=September 27, 2019 |website=Buckeyextra}} As a sophomore in 2018, he played in 13 games, recording 32 tackles. As a junior in 2019, he recorded his first career interception against the Miami Redhawks.{{Cite web |last=Baird, Nathan |date=September 22, 2019 |title=Ohio State football's Jeff Okudah relishes first career interception against Miami of Ohio |url=https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2019/09/ohio-state-footballs-jeff-okudah-relishes-first-career-interception-against-miami-of-ohio.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927045401/https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2019/09/ohio-state-footballs-jeff-okudah-relishes-first-career-interception-against-miami-of-ohio.html |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=September 27, 2019 |website=Cleveland.com}} As a junior in 2019, Okudah had 34 tackles, 9 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions. For his performance that season, he was unanimously named to the 2019 College Football All-America Team and was also named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.{{Cite web |last=Hooley |first=Bruce |date=January 9, 2020 |title=Chase Young, Jeff Okudah Likely to go 2–3 in NFL Draft |url=https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/football/chase-young-jeff-okudah-likely-to-go-2-3-in-nfl-draft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016060041/https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/football/chase-young-jeff-okudah-likely-to-go-2-3-in-nfl-draft |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2020 |website=SI.com}} Okudah decided to forgo his senior year by declaring for the 2020 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Wells, Adam |date=January 1, 2020 |title=Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah Declares for 2020 NFL Draft After Loss to Clemson |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2863452-ohio-state-cb-jeff-okudah-declares-for-2020-nfl-draft-after-loss-to-clemson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102143806/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2863452-ohio-state-cb-jeff-okudah-declares-for-2020-nfl-draft-after-loss-to-clemson |archive-date=January 2, 2020 |access-date=January 10, 2020 |website=Bleacher Report}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 1/8
| weight = 205
| dash = 4.48
| ten split = 1.60
| twenty split = 2.65
| vertical = 41.0
| broad ft = 11
| broad in = 3
| bench = 11
| arm span = 32 5/8
| hand span = 9 1/8
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Jeffrey Okudah Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jeff-okudah/32004f4b-5519-2813-7f59-b79efab52dd1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223124823/https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jeff-okudah/32004f4b-5519-2813-7f59-b79efab52dd1 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |access-date=March 5, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2020 Draft Scout Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1021684&DraftYear=2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218081350/http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1021684&DraftYear=2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2022 |access-date=December 18, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
File:Jeff Okudah Antonio Gibson WFT vs Lions NOV2020 (cropped).jpg in 2020.]]
=Detroit Lions=
Okudah was considered to be the best cornerback prospect in the 2020 NFL draft,{{Cite web |last=Hanson |first=Kevin |date=March 15, 2020 |title=2020 NFL Draft Rankings: Cornerbacks |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/02/20/nfl-draft-2020-cornerbacks-rankings-best-prospects |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502231615/https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/02/20/nfl-draft-2020-cornerbacks-rankings-best-prospects |archive-date=May 2, 2020 |access-date=April 8, 2020 |website=SI.com}}{{Cite web |last=Kartje |first=Ryan |date=April 7, 2020 |title=A top pick in NFL draft? Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah has it covered |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-04-07/draft-profile-on-ohio-states-jeff-okudah |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410232817/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-04-07/draft-profile-on-ohio-states-jeff-okudah |archive-date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=April 8, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times}} where he was selected third overall by the Detroit Lions.{{Cite web |last=Birkett |first=Dave |date=April 23, 2020 |title=It's official! Detroit Lions take Jeff Okudah with No. 3 pick in 2020 NFL draft |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/jeff-okudah-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020/3009362001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424231607/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/jeff-okudah-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020/3009362001/ |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020 |website=Detroit Free Press}} He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on July 13, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |title=Lions agree with No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah on rookie contract |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-agree-with-no-3-overall-pick-jeff-okudah-on-rookie-contract |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713172205/https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-agree-with-no-3-overall-pick-jeff-okudah-on-rookie-contract |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |access-date=July 13, 2020 |website=NFL.com}} The contract was worth a fully guaranteed $33.528 million, including a $21.944 million signing bonus.{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2020 |title=Jeff Okudah's Contract Details Revealed |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jeff-okudah-contract-details-released |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001203711/https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jeff-okudah-contract-details-released |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |website=SI.com}} He suffered a hamstring injury during training camp and missed the opening season game. He returned in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, where he allowed three completions for 4 yards.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2020 |title=Jones' big day helps Packers beat Lions 27–14 in home opener |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401220291 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923183742/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401220291 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} The following week, he recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals – September 27th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009270crd.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924112916/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009270crd.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=September 30, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Okudah was placed on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to resolve a core muscle injury on December 15.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Jeff Okudah says core muscle surgery went well |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/12/15/jeff-okudah-says-core-muscle-surgery-went-well/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111052238/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/12/15/jeff-okudah-says-core-muscle-surgery-went-well/ |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=December 15, 2020 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Schlitt |first=Erik |date=December 16, 2020 |title=Detroit Lions officially place Jeff Okudah on IR |url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/16/detroit-lions-officially-place-jeff-okudah-on-ir/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119082247/https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/16/detroit-lions-officially-place-jeff-okudah-on-ir/ |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=USAToday.com}}
During the Lions' 2021 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, Okudah ruptured his Achilles tendon and was placed on injured reserve.{{Cite web |last=Woodyard |first=Eric |date=September 13, 2021 |title=Source: Lions' Okudah (Achilles) out for season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32202663/source-detroit-lions-cb-jeff-okudah-season-ruptured-achilles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913153526/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32202663/source-detroit-lions-cb-jeff-okudah-season-ruptured-achilles |archive-date=September 13, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
Okudah was traded to the Atlanta Falcons on April 13, 2023, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2023 |title=Lions trade CB Jeff Okudah to Atlanta Falcons |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-trade-cb-jeff-okudah-to-atlanta-falcons |access-date=May 18, 2023 |website=DetroitLions.com}}
=Houston Texans=
On March 15, 2024, Okudah signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Houston Texans Transactions (03-15-2024) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-03-15-2024 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=HoustonTexans.com |language=en-US}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 11.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Houston Texans Transactions (09-11-2024) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-09-11-2024 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=HoustonTexans.com}} He was activated on November 18.{{cite web | last=Simmons | first=Myles | title=Texans activate Jeff Okudah, Mario Edwards Jr. for Monday's game | website=NBC Sports | date=2024-11-18 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/texans-activate-jeff-okudah-mario-edwards-jr-for-mondays-game | access-date=2025-02-17}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
On March 18, 2025, Okudah signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/jeff-okudah-cornerback-agreed-to-terms |title=Vikings Agree to Terms with Former Lions Cornerback Jeff Okudah |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=March 18, 2025 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=Vikings.com}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2020 | DET
| 9 || 6 || 47 || 41 || 6 || 0.0 || 2 || 1 || 36 || 36.0 || 36 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | DET
| 1 || 1 || 4 || 3 || 1 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022
!DET | 15 || 15 || 73 || 59 || 14 || 0.0 || 7 || 1 || 20 || 20.0 || 20 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ATL
| 13 || 9 || 44 || 34 || 10 || 0.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | HOU
| 6 || 0 || 9 || 8 || 1 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OkudJe00.htm Career] | 44 | 31 | 177 | 145 | 32 | 0.0 | 13 | 2 | 56 | 28.0 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Twitter|jeffokudah}}
- [https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/jeff-okudah/ Minnesota Vikings bio]
- [https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/roster/season/2019-20/jeffrey-okudah/ Ohio State Buckeyes bio]
{{Minnesota Vikings roster navbox}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Jeff Okudah
|list1 =
{{2019 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2020 NFL Draft}}
{{LionsFirstPick}}
{{Lions2020DraftPicks}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Okudah, Jeff}}
Category:Sportspeople from Grand Prairie, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Ellis County, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Dallas County, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Tarrant County, Texas
Category:South Grand Prairie High School alumni
Category:American players of American football of Nigerian descent
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:All-American college football players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Houston Texans players