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Jeff Okudah
American football player (born 1999) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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Early life
Okudah was born in Grand Prairie, Texas to Nigerian parents.[1] He attended South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas.[2][3] A five-star recruit, he committed to Ohio State University in January 2017.[4][5]
College career
As a true freshman at Ohio State in 2017, Okudah played in all 14 games and had 17 tackles.[6][7] 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.[8] 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.[9] Okudah decided to forgo his senior year by declaring for the 2020 NFL draft.[10]
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Professional career
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Detroit Lions
Okudah was considered to be the best cornerback prospect in the 2020 NFL draft,[13][14] where he was selected third overall by the Detroit Lions.[15] He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on July 13, 2020.[16] The contract was worth a fully guaranteed $33.528 million, including a $21.944 million signing bonus.[17] 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.[18] The following week, he recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.[19] Okudah was placed on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to resolve a core muscle injury on December 15.[20][21]
During the Lions' 2021 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, Okudah ruptured his Achilles tendon and was placed on injured reserve.[22]
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.[23]
Houston Texans
On March 15, 2024, Okudah signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans.[24] He was placed on injured reserve on September 11.[25] He was activated on November 18.[26]
Minnesota Vikings
On March 18, 2025, Okudah signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.[27]
NFL career statistics
References
External links
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