Uchenna Nwosu

Uchenna Nwosu (born December 28, 1996) is an American football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round with the 48th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Uchenna Nwosu
refer to caption
Nwosu with the Chargers in 2021
No. 10 – Seattle Seahawks
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1996-12-28) December 28, 1996
Carson, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:251 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school:Narbonne
(Harbor City, California)
College:USC
NFL Draft:2018 / Round: 2 / Pick: 48
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:171
Sacks:24.5
Forced fumbles:6
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:11
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

College career

Nwosu attended and played college football at USC under head coaches Steve Sarkisian and Clay Helton. After playing in 12 games during his freshman season, Nwosu was not able to participate in the 2014 Holiday Bowl due to unspecified team rules violations. It was later reported that Nwosu did not enroll in the following spring semester.[1] Despite speculation that he may leave the team, Nwosu was able to take summer classes and rejoin the team for the 2015 season.[2] After his senior season at USC, Nwosu was named a co-MVP of USC along with quarterback Sam Darnold.[3] He was also on the watchlist for the Butkus Award.[4] Following his senior season, he participated in the 2018 Senior Bowl.

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in
(1.88 m)		 251 lb
(114 kg)		 33+5⁄8 in
(0.85 m)		 9 in
(0.23 m)		4.65 s1.63 s2.71 s4.27 s7.05 s32 in
(0.81 m)		9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[5][6]
Nwosu in 2018

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Nwosu in the second round (48th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. Nwosu was the sixth linebacker drafted in 2018.[7] He played in his hometown of Carson at the temporary home of the Chargers at the StubHub Center.[8]

External video
video icon Chargers draft Nwosu 48th overall
video icon Instant Draft Grade: Uchenna Nwosu

Los Angeles Chargers

On May 13, 2018, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Nwosu to a four-year, $5.75 million contract that includes $3.01 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.26 million.[9]

Nwosu entered training camp slated as a backup outside linebacker. Head coach Anthony Lynn named Nwosu the backup strongside linebacker to start the regular season, behind veteran Kyle Emanuel.[10]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Los Angeles Chargers' season-opening 38-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. On September 16, 2018, Nwosu recorded three combined tackles and made his first career sack during a 31–20 victory at the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.[11] Nwosu made his first career sack on Bills' quarterback Josh Allen for a three-yard loss in the first quarter.[12]

As the Chargers made the playoffs, they faced off against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round. Nwosu made a critical play at the end of the game, forcing Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to fumble on what would have otherwise been a potential game winning drive for the Ravens. The Chargers recovered the fumble, sealing a 23–17 win to advance to the Divisional round.[13][14]

Nwosu finished the 2019 season with 31 tackles, two sacks, and three passes defensed.[15]

In 2020, Nwosu played in 13 games with four starts, recording 4.5 sacks, 33 tackles, and two passes defensed. He was placed on injured reserve on December 26, 2020.[16]

Seattle Seahawks

On March 17, 2022, Nwosu signed a two-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.[17]

In Week 1, Nwosu recorded seven tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in a 17-16 win over the Denver Broncos. He was awarded NFC Defensive Player Of The Week for his performance.[18] In his first year with the Seahawks, he recorded career highs in both total tackles and sacks.

On July 24, 2023, Nwosu signed a three-year contract extension with the Seahawks.[19]

Personal life

He is of Nigerian descent.[20]

References
  1. Klein, Gary (January 22, 2015). "USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu not enrolled for spring semester". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  2. Klein, Gary (June 1, 2015). "USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu returns to classes and workouts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  3. Kaufman, Joey (December 13, 2017). "Quarterback Sam Darnold, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu named USC's co-MVPs". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  4. Castillo, Michael (July 17, 2017). "USC Football: Three Trojans make 2017 Butkus Award watch list". Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  5. "NFL Draft Prospect Profile - Uchenna Nwosu". nfl.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  6. "Southern California OLB Uchenna Nwosu : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  7. "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  8. Woike, Dan (April 29, 2018). "Chargers draft Uchenna Nwosu out of USC with 48th pick in draft". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  9. "Spotrac.com: Uchenna Nwosu contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  10. Stanley, Matthew (September 4, 2018). "Chargers release first "unofficial" depth chart". Bolts from the Blue. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  11. "Final score, recap: Chargers 31, Bills 20". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. September 16, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  12. "Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills - September 16th, 2018". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  13. Shaffer, Jonas (January 6, 2019). "At the end of a breakthrough rookie season, quarterback Lamar Jackson leaves Ravens needing more". The Baltimore Sun.
  14. Cannizzaro, Mark (January 6, 2019). "Chargers defense dominates the Ravens at their own game". New York Post.
  15. "Uchenna Nwosu". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  16. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Jessie Lemonier to Active Roster; Place Uchenna Nwosu on Injured Reserve". Chargers.com. December 26, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  17. Boyle, John (March 17, 2022). "Seahawks Sign LB Uchenna Nwosu". Seahawks.com.
  18. Boyle, John (September 14, 2022). "Seahawks LB Uchenna Nwosu Named NFC Defensive Player Of The Week". seahawks.com. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  19. Alexander, Mookie (July 24, 2023). "Seahawks, Uchenna Nwosu agree to contract extension worth up to $59 million". SBNation.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  20. "Nigeria dominates Africa's 2018 NFL draftee list". ESPN. April 23, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
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