Chidi Okeke

Chidi Okeke (born December 26, 1996)[1] is a Nigerian professional American football offensive tackle for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL. Okeke played football at LSU before transferring to Tennessee State. Okeke has also spent time with the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL), the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL).

Chidi Okeke
No. 77 – San Antonio Brahmas
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1996-12-26) December 26, 1996
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
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
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

High school career

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.[2][3] He played in the U.S Army All-American Bowl.[4]

Okeke committed to play for the LSU Tigers over offers from Auburn and Alabama.[5]

College career

LSU

In 2015, Okeke redshirted his freshman year and did not play.[6] The following year, he played in 11 games for LSU.[6] He announced that he would be transferring in December 2016.[7]

Tennessee State

Okeke transferred to Tennessee State in 2017 and appeared in 11 games, 10 as a starter.[8] He started all nine games in 2018, mainly as a left tackle.[9]

Professional career

Washington Redskins

After going unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Okeke signed with the Washington Redskins on April 27, 2019.[10] He was released on May 23, 2019.[11]

Kansas City Chiefs

On May 29, 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Okeke.[12][13] He was released on August 31.[14]

Miami Dolphins

On September 10, 2019, Okeke was signed to the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins.[15] He signed a future contract after the season, but was released on March 18, 2020.[16]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Okeke was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on February 17, 2021.[17] He was released on April 27.[18]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On July 29, 2021, Okeke returned to the NFL and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[19] He was waived with an injury designation on August 24[20] and reverted to injured reserve the next day.[21] He was released on August 30.[22]

Pittsburgh Maulers

On February 22, 2022, the Pittsburgh Maulers selected Okeke in the fifth round of the 2022 USFL draft.[23] He was the first offensive tackle selected in the offensive tackle phase of the draft.[24] He appeared in and started all 10 games for the Maulers.[25]

San Antonio Brahmas

On January 1, 2023, the San Antonio Brahmas selected Okeke with the second overall pick in the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.[26] He appeared in all 10 games, six as a starter.[25]

Personal life

In 2013, Okeke moved to the United States from Nigeria where he played soccer and basketball.[27]

References
  1. "Chidi Okeke Stats, Bio, Age, Net Worth, & Career". LINES. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  2. "Chidi Okeke, Tennessee State Tigers, Offensive Tackle". 247Sports. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  3. Dellenger, Ross (April 1, 2016). "LSU offensive lineman and native Nigerian Chidi Okeke flourishing despite little experience with football". The Advocate.
  4. Chiari, Mike. "Army All-American Bowl Roster 2015: Breaking Down Top Recruits in Marquee Game". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  5. Sayles, Damon. "4-Star Chidi Valentine-Okeke Gives LSU Major Recruiting Win over Alabama, Auburn". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  6. "Chidi Okeke". LSU. 2019-07-08. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  7. DELLENGER, ROSS (2016-12-13). "LSU offensive tackle Chidi Okeke transferring". The Advocate. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  8. "SEC transfers Chidi Okeke, Christian Morris find it tough to crack TSU's starting lineup". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  9. "Chidi Okeke – 2018 – Football". Tennessee State University. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  10. "Washington Redskins sign TSU lineman Chidi Okeke to free agent deal". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  11. "Redskins Sign OT Adam Bisnowaty, Waive Chidi Okeke". www.commanders.com. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  12. Bouda, Nate (2019-05-29). "Chiefs Sign OT Chidi Okeke". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  13. Goldman, Charles (June 14, 2019). "Chiefs UDFA Spotlight: Tennessee State OT Chidi Okeke". USA Today.
  14. "Chiefs roster cuts 2019: Here's who has been released". Chiefs Wire. 2019-08-31. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  15. Bouda, Nate (2019-09-10). "NFL Transactions: Tuesday 9/10". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  16. Ulrich, Logan (2020-03-18). "Dolphins Release Six Including LB Mike Hull". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  17. "Riders sign former NFL offensive lineman Chidi Okeke". 3DownNation.com. February 17, 2021.
  18. "Riders sign WR Tevin Jones". CKRM. April 27, 2021.
  19. Goodall, Zach (2021-07-29). "Buccaneers Sign OT Chidi Okeke". Tampa Bay Buccaneers | BucsGameday | Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  20. Bouda, Nate (2021-08-24). "NFL Transactions: Tuesday 8/24". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  21. Bouda, Nate (2021-08-25). "NFL Transactions: Wednesday 8/25". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  22. "Chidi Okeke Archives". NFLTradeRumors.co. 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  23. "USFL Draft 2022: Every pick of every round for every team". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  24. "Top offensive tackles picked in USFL Draft". American Football International. 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  25. "Chidi Okeke Stats". Pro Football Archives.
  26. "Supplemental Draft Picks". www.xfl.com. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  27. Randall, Kayla (2016-08-01). "Offensive lineman Chidi Okeke shares how he's adapted to Louisiana". [225]. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
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