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Chidi Okeke

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Chidi Okeke
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1996-12-26) December 26, 1996 (age 27)
Anambra, Nigeria
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school:Faith Baptist Christian Academy
(Ludowici, GA)
College:LSU (2015–2016)
Tennessee State (2017–2018)
Undrafted:2019
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
CFL status:Global
Career highlights and awards
  • Phil Steele All-OVC First Team (2018)
  • All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team (2018)
Career XFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:10
Games started:6
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Chidi Okeke (born December 26, 1996) is a Nigerian professional American football offensive tackle for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at LSU before transferring to Tennessee State. Okeke has also spent time with the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL); Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL); Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL); and San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.

Early life

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Okeke played for Faith Baptist Christian Academy where he was a five-star recruit and was ranked as the second-best offensive tackle in the nation, as well as the 22nd best player nationally, according to 247Sports.[1][2] He played in the U.S Army All-American Bowl.[3]

Okeke committed to play for the LSU Tigers over offers from Auburn and Alabama.[4]

College career

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LSU

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In 2015, Okeke redshirted his freshman year and did not play.[5] The following year, he played in 11 games for LSU.[5] He announced that he would be transferring in December 2016.[6]

Tennessee State

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Okeke transferred to Tennessee State in 2017 and appeared in 11 games, 10 as a starter.[7] He started all nine games in 2018, mainly as a left tackle.[8]

Professional career

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Washington Redskins

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After going unselected in the 2019 NFL draft, Okeke signed with the Washington Redskins on April 27, 2019.[9] He was released on May 23, 2019.[10]

Kansas City Chiefs

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On May 29, 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Okeke.[11][12] He was released on August 31.[13]

Miami Dolphins

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On September 10, 2019, Okeke was signed to the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins.[14] He signed a future contract after the season, but was released on March 18, 2020.[15]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

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Okeke was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on February 17, 2021.[16] He was released on April 27.[17]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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On July 29, 2021, Okeke returned to the NFL and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[18] He was waived with an injury designation on August 24[19] and reverted to injured reserve the next day.[20] He was released on August 30.[21]

Pittsburgh Maulers

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On February 22, 2022, the Pittsburgh Maulers selected Okeke in the fifth round of the 2022 USFL draft.[22] He was the first offensive tackle selected in the offensive tackle phase of the draft.[23] He appeared in and started all 10 games for the Maulers.[24]

San Antonio Brahmas

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On January 1, 2023, the San Antonio Brahmas selected Okeke with the second overall pick in the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.[25] He appeared in all 10 games, six as a starter.[24]

DC Defenders

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On January 15, 2024, Okeke was selected by the DC Defenders in the fourth round of the Super Draft portion of the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[26] He signed with the team on January 24.[27] He was released on March 10, 2024.[28]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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On May 6, 2024, Okeke signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[29]

Personal life

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In 2013, Okeke moved to the United States from Nigeria where he played soccer and basketball.[30]

References

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  1. ^ "Chidi Okeke, Tennessee State Tigers, Offensive Tackle". 247Sports. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  2. ^ Dellenger, Ross (April 1, 2016). "LSU offensive lineman and native Nigerian Chidi Okeke flourishing despite little experience with football". The Advocate.
  3. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Army All-American Bowl Roster 2015: Breaking Down Top Recruits in Marquee Game". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  4. ^ Sayles, Damon. "4-Star Chidi Valentine-Okeke Gives LSU Major Recruiting Win over Alabama, Auburn". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Chidi Okeke". LSU. July 8, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  6. ^ DELLENGER, ROSS (December 13, 2016). "LSU offensive tackle Chidi Okeke transferring". The Advocate. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "SEC transfers Chidi Okeke, Christian Morris find it tough to crack TSU's starting lineup". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  8. ^ "Chidi Okeke – 2018 – Football". Tennessee State University. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "Washington Redskins sign TSU lineman Chidi Okeke to free agent deal". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  10. ^ "Redskins Sign OT Adam Bisnowaty, Waive Chidi Okeke". www.commanders.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Bouda, Nate (May 29, 2019). "Chiefs Sign OT Chidi Okeke". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  12. ^ Goldman, Charles (June 14, 2019). "Chiefs UDFA Spotlight: Tennessee State OT Chidi Okeke". USA Today.
  13. ^ "Chiefs roster cuts 2019: Here's who has been released". Chiefs Wire. August 31, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  14. ^ Bouda, Nate (September 10, 2019). "NFL Transactions: Tuesday 9/10". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  15. ^ Ulrich, Logan (March 18, 2020). "Dolphins Release Six Including LB Mike Hull". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "Riders sign former NFL offensive lineman Chidi Okeke". 3DownNation.com. February 17, 2021.
  17. ^ "Riders sign WR Tevin Jones". CKRM. April 27, 2021.
  18. ^ Goodall, Zach (July 29, 2021). "Buccaneers Sign OT Chidi Okeke". Tampa Bay Buccaneers | BucsGameday | Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  19. ^ Bouda, Nate (August 24, 2021). "NFL Transactions: Tuesday 8/24". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  20. ^ Bouda, Nate (August 25, 2021). "NFL Transactions: Wednesday 8/25". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  21. ^ "Chidi Okeke Archives". NFLTradeRumors.co. August 4, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  22. ^ "USFL Draft 2022: Every pick of every round for every team". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  23. ^ "Top offensive tackles picked in USFL Draft". American Football International. February 25, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Chidi Okeke Stats". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  25. ^ "Supplemental Draft Picks". www.xfl.com. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  26. ^ Rachuk, Stephan (January 15, 2024). "2024 United Football League (UFL) Super Draft Tracker". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  27. ^ @UFL_PR (January 24, 2024). "The United Football League, the premier spring football league, has agreed to terms with the following 8 players for the upcoming 2024 season" (Tweet). Retrieved January 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "UFL Teams Set their Training Camp Rosters to 58". UFLBoard.com. March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  29. ^ "Transactions - Football Player Trades and Signings". CFL.ca. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  30. ^ Randall, Kayla (August 1, 2016). "Offensive lineman Chidi Okeke shares how he's adapted to Louisiana". [225]. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
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