Obi Melifonwu

Henry William Obiajulu Melifonwu was born in London on April 5, 1994. His parents are Igbo Nigerians who moved to England. At age 3, Melifonwu's family moved to the USA. His middle name, Obiajulu, means 'consoled heart'. He has one older brother Michael, a sister, and two younger brothers, Nonso and Ifeatu.{{Cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |date=August 11, 2016 |title=Obi Melifonwu A Unique Name, One UConn's Diaco Says You'll Hear In NFL |url=https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-football/hc-jacobs-column-uconn-football-obi-0811-20160810-column.html |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=courant.com}}

Melifonwu attended Grafton High School in Grafton, Massachusetts. He played defensive back, quarterback and running back. As a senior, he rushed for 1,394 yards with 17 touchdowns. Melifonwu committed to the University of Connecticut to play college football.{{Cite web |last1=Setterlund |first1=Carl |last2=Wilson |first2=Jim |date=February 1, 2012 |title=Grafton's Obi Melifonwu picks UConn |url=https://www.telegram.com/article/20120202/news/102029909 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=telegram.com}}

Melifonwu redshirted his first year at Connecticut in 2012. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, he started all 12 games and had 70 tackles and two interceptions.{{Cite web |last=Conner |first=Desmond |date=August 9, 2014 |title=No Danger In Expecting Big Things From UConn Safety |url=https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-football/hc-xpm-2014-08-09-hc-uconn-football-obi-melifanwu-0810-20140809-story.html |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=courant.com}} As a redshirt sophomore in 2014, he started 11 games, recording 75 tackles. As a redshirt junior in 2015, he started 12 of 13 games and had 88 tackles and two interceptions.{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2016 |title=UConn safety Obi Melifonwu has grown into strong leader for Huskies |url=https://www.nhregister.com/uconn/article/UConn-safety-Obi-Melifonwu-has-grown-into-strong-11327363.php |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=New Haven Register}} As a senior in 2016, he started all 13 games and recorded 118 tackles and four interceptions.{{Cite web |last=Anthony |first=Mike |date=January 27, 2017 |title=UConn's Melifonwu Hopes To Improve Draft Resume With Solid Outing At Senior Bowl |url=https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-football/hc-uconn-football-melifonwu-senior-bowl-0128-20170127-story.html |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=courant.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhregister.com/uconn/article/UConn-safety-Obi-Melifonwu-opening-eyes-at-Senior-11313239.php|title=UConn safety Obi Melifonwu opening eyes at Senior Bowl practices|date=January 26, 2017|website=New Haven Register}}

Melifonwu received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and made three combined tackles as a part of the North who lost 16–15 to the South.{{cite web|url=https://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters-2017.php?squad=North| title=Senior Bowl: North roster| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=seniorbowl.com}} He was able to raise his draft stock after performing well during the Senior Bowl practices.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20170126/uconn-safety-obi-melifonwu-opening-eyes-at-senior-bowl-practices| title=UConn safety Obi Melifonwu opening eyes at Senior Bowl practices| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=nhregister.com| author=Jim Fuller| date=January 26, 2017}} Melifonwu attended the NFL Combine and completed the majority of combine and positional drills, but decided to skip the three-cone drill and short shuttle. He had impressive performances in the vertical jump, broad jump, and 40-yard dash that further raised his draft stock. He also participated at Connecticut's Pro Day and completed the short shuttle, three-cone drill,

and positional drills in front of 25 NFL scouts from 20 NFL teams. His numbers in the short shuttle and three-cone drill would've ranked second among all positions if he would've posted those times at the NFL Combine.{{cite web| url=http://dailycampus.com/stories/2017/3/23/pro-day-recap-noel-thomas-obi-melifonwu-highlight-huskies-pro-day-uconn-football| title=Pro Day Recap: Thomas Melifonwu highlight Huskie's Pro Day| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=dailycampus.com| author=Dan Madigan| date=March 22, 2017| archive-date=April 7, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407223931/http://dailycampus.com/stories/2017/3/23/pro-day-recap-noel-thomas-obi-melifonwu-highlight-huskies-pro-day-uconn-football| url-status=dead}} He had private workouts and visits with 11 NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Pittsburgh Steelers.{{cite web| url=http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByProspect| title=WalterFootball.com: Prospect visits| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=Walterfootball.com| archive-date=August 10, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810004953/http://www.walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byprospect| url-status=dead}} NFL draft experts and analysts projected him to be a second round pick. He was ranked the fourth best strong safety in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com, the fourth best safety by NFL analysts Mike Mayock and Bucky Brooks, was ranked the fifth best safety by ESPN, and was ranked the sixth best safety by Sports Illustrated.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings| title=2017 NFL Draft Rankings: Top Prospects by Position| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=si.com| author=Chris Burke| date=April 24, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold| title=Ranking the 2017 Draft's Top 100 Prospects| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=ESPN.com| author=Jeff Legwold| date=April 22, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/mike-mayock-s-2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings-3-0-0ap3000000799336| title=Mike Mayock's 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=NFL.com| author=Mike Mayock| author-link=Mike Mayock| date=April 12, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-top-5-2017-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-3-0-0ap3000000802450| title=Bucky Brooks' 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=NFL.com| author=Bucky Brooks| author-link=Bucky Brooks| date=April 25, 2017}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 3 7/8

| weight = 224

| dash = 4.40

| ten split = 1.51

| twenty split = 2.55

| shuttle = 4.30

| cone drill = 7.07

| vertical = 44.0

| broad ft = 11

| broad in = 9

| bench = 17

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 32 1/2

| hand span = 9 1/8

| note = All values from NFL Combine/UConn's Pro Day{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Obi Melifonwu Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/obi-melifonwu/32004d45-4c06-9516-9c22-2a0a784d63ba |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{cite web|url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=124329&DraftYear=2017| title=Obi Melifonwu, DS #4 SS, Connecticut| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.raiders.com/video/obi-melifonwu-runs-a-4-40-in-the-40-yard-dash-18795192 |title=Obi Melifonwu runs a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash |website=raiders.com |access-date=February 18, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=http://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/52100/obi-melifonwu |title=Obi Melifonwu 2017 NFL Draft Profile |website=insider.espn.com |access-date=February 18, 2022}}

}}

The Oakland Raiders selected Melifonwu in the second round (56th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=Oakland Raiders Select Obi Melifonwu In Second Round Of 2017 NFL Draft|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/oakland-raiders-select-obi-melifonwu-in-second-round-of-2017-nfl-draft-18795197|website=Raiders.com|date=April 28, 2017}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 5, 2017, with eligibility to return in 2017.{{cite web|title=Raiders Sign Harris, Woodson-Luster|url=http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Raiders-Sign-Harris-Woodson-Luster/2a074fd8-aacb-4bc5-8f11-33e73eec5f2c|website=Raiders.com|date=September 5, 2017}} He was activated from injured reserve to the active roster on November 4, 2017.{{cite web|title=Raiders Activate Obi Melifonwu|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-activate-obi-melifonwu-19701932|website=Raiders.com|date=November 4, 2017}} He was placed back on injured reserve on December 15, 2017, after having hip surgery.{{cite web|title=Rookie Safety Obi Melifonwu Headed To Reserve/Injured List|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/rookie-safety-obi-melifonwu-headed-to-reserve-injured-list-19989039|author=Paskal, Eddie|website=Raiders.com|date=December 15, 2017}}

On August 23, 2018, Melifonwu was waived/injured by the Raiders.{{cite web|title=Raiders Sign CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie; Waived/Injured S Obi Melifonwu|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-cb-dominique-rodgers-cromartie-waive-s-obi-melifonwu|website=Raiders.com|date=August 23, 2018}} He was placed on injured reserve the next day after clearing waivers.{{cite web|title=Obi Melifonwu passes through waivers, reverts to Raiders' IR|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/08/24/obi-melifonwu-passes-through-waivers-reverts-to-raiders-ir/|author=Williams, Charean|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=August 24, 2018}} He was released on October 23, 2018.

On November 5, 2018, Melifonwu signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots.{{cite web|title=Patriots Make a Series of Roster Moves|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-a-series-of-roster-moves|website=Patriots.com|date=November 6, 2018}} Melifonwu appeared in two games for the Patriots, recording three tackles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2974247/obi-melifonwu|title=Obi Melifonwu Stats|website=ESPN|language=en|access-date=February 1, 2019}} Melifonwu and the Patriots eventually reached Super Bowl LIII where they beat the Los Angeles Rams 13–3.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LIII – New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams – February 3rd, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201902030ram.htm |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

On September 9, 2019, Melifonwu was waived by the Patriots and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Charean |title=Patriots cut Obi Melifonwu, Lance Kendricks |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/09/patriots-cut-obi-melifonwu-lance-kendricks/ |website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com |date=September 9, 2019 |access-date=September 9, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Kyed |first1=Doug |title=Patriots Boost Safety Depth, Re-Sign Obi Melifonwu To Practice Squad |url=https://nesn.com/2019/09/patriots-boost-safety-depth-re-sign-obi-melifonwu-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=September 10, 2019 |publisher=NESN.com |date=September 10, 2019 |ref=September 20, 2019}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots on January 6, 2020.{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign Seven Players to Future Contracts|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-seven-players-to-future-contracts|website=Patriots.com|date=January 6, 2020}}

On April 27, 2020, Melifonwu was released by the Patriots.{{cite web|title=Patriots release DL Keionta Davis and DB Obi Melifonwu|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-dl-keionta-davis-and-and-db-obi-melifonwu|website=Patriots.com|date=April 27, 2020}}

On January 4, 2021, Melifonwu signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Dalton |date=January 4, 2021 |title=49ers sign Obi Melifonwu, former Raiders second-round pick |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/49ers-sign-obi-melifonwu-former-raiders-second-round-pick |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=RSN |language=en}} He was waived on April 29, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=April 29, 2021 |title=49ers waive Obi Melifonwu |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/04/30/49ers-waive-obi-melifonwu/ |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=ProFootballTalk}}

On July 29, 2021, the Eagles signed Melifonwu.{{Cite web |last=Oddo |first=Jillian |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Eagles sign S Obi Melifonwu, WR Andre Patton |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-sign-obi-melifonwu-andre-patton |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was waived/injured on August 9, 2021, and placed on injured reserve.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=August 9, 2021 |title=Roster Moves: Eagles activate Matt Leo; sign Blake Countess |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/roster-moves-eagles-activate-matt-leo-sign-blake-countess |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was released on September 14, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=2021-09-14 |title=Eagles Waive S Obi Melifonwu From Injured Reserve |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/eagles-waive-s-obi-melifonwu-from-injured-reserve/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}

Melifonwu was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL) in the 18th round of the 2022 USFL draft.{{cite tweet |author=Tampa Bay Bandits |author-link=Tampa Bay Bandits |user=USFLBandits |number=1496524017699889156 |date=February 23, 2022 |title=The Force is strong with this one. #BanditBall https://t.co/R9PgkzCxWf |language=en |access-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507004933/https://twitter.com/USFLBandits/status/1496524017699889156 |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |url-status=live}} He was transferred to the team's inactive roster on May 6, 2022, with a thigh injury.{{cite tweet |author=Tampa Bay Bandits |author-link=Tampa Bay Bandits |user=USFLBandits |number=1522484301694050304 |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Transferred to inactive roster: • CB Christian Campbell • S Obi Melifonwu • S Stephen Griffin • DE Mekhi Brown • OC Bruno Reagan • OL Juwann Bushell-Beatty Players remaining on inactive roster: • WR Hasise DuBois |language=en |access-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507004648/https://twitter.com/USFLBandits/status/1522484301694050304 |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |author=Tampa Bay Bandits |author-link=Tampa Bay Bandits |user=USFLBandits |number=1522485791091400704 |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Mekhi Brown, DE: Out (Illness) Obi Melifonwu, S: Questionable (Thigh) |language=en |access-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507004936/https://twitter.com/USFLBandits/status/1522485791091400704 |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |url-status=live}} He was moved back to the active roster on May 11.{{cite tweet |author=Tampa Bay Bandits |author-link=Tampa Bay Bandits |user=USFLBandits |number=1524567394701611008 |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Roster Updates: Free Agent Signings: • LB Anthony Butler, Liberty/Charlotte Released: • DE Mekhi Brown Transferred to active roster: • CB Christian Campbell • S Obi Melifonwu • OL Juwann Bushell-Beatty |language=en |access-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512131136/https://twitter.com/USFLBandits/status/1524567394701611008 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}

On February 4, 2023, Melifonwu was signed by the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=Showboats DB Obi Melifonwu Signs with XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks |url=https://usflnewshub.com/usfl-news/showboats-db-obi-melifonwu-signs-with-xfls-st-louis-battlehawks/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=USFL News Hub |language=en-us}} He was released on February 9, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Rifino |first=Patrick |date=2023-02-09 |title=Battlehawks Final Roster Set for 2023 XFL Season |url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/battlehawks-final-roster-set-for-2023-xfl-season/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=XFL News Hub |language=en-us}}

On January 30, 2025, Melifonwu signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL).{{cite tweet |number=1885159931294196177 |user=JamesLarsenPFN |title=The Memphis Showboats have signed DB Obi Melifonwu. |date=January 30, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025}}

His younger brother, Ifeatu Melifonwu, played college football at Syracuse and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last1=Twentyman |first1=Tim |last2=O'Hara |first2=Mike |date=May 1, 2021 |title=A CLOSER LOOK: Cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/a-closer-look-cornerback-ifeatu-melifonwu |access-date=May 2, 2021 |website=Detroit Lions}}

{{Reflist}}

{{footballstats|yahoo=30169|espn=2974247}}

• [http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/obi_melifonwu_809934.html Connecticut Huskies bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131230117/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/obi_melifonwu_809934.html |date=January 31, 2017 }}

{{Raiders2017DraftPicks}}

{{Super Bowl LIII}}

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:English players of American football

Category:People from Grafton, Massachusetts

Category:Players of American football from Worcester County, Massachusetts

Category:Igbo sportspeople

Category:English people of Igbo descent

Category:American people of Igbo descent

Category:American football safeties

Category:UConn Huskies football players

Category:Oakland Raiders players

Category:New England Patriots players

Category:San Francisco 49ers players

Category:Philadelphia Eagles players

Category:Tampa Bay Bandits (2022) players

Category:St. Louis Battlehawks players