Oli Udoh Explained

Oli Udoh
Current Team:New Orleans Saints
Number:74
Position:Offensive tackle
Birth Date:14 February 1997
Birth Place:Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:320
College:Elon (2014–2018)
Draftyear:2019
Draftround:6
Draftpick:193
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:43
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:18
Pfr:U/UdohOl01

Olisaemeka Udoh (born February 14, 1997) is an American football offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Elon Phoenix and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round, 193rd overall in the 2019 NFL draft.

Early years

Born to Benjamin and Rita Udoh in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Udoh attended Terry Sanford High School. He started playing football as a defensive lineman before transitioning to the offensive side of the ball as a senior, earning second team Cape Fear Region honors after helping the program reach the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Udoh was a NCHSAA student-athlete honoree in both 2012 and 2013 and also lettered in track and field in his final season, recording a top-throw of 44'5" (13.54m) in the shot put.[1]

College career

After taking a redshirt year in 2014, Udoh never missed a game with a total of 45 starts throughout his college career at Elon. He was named to the Colonial Athletic Association Football Academic All-Conference Team in both 2015 and 2016. In 2018, he earned a spot as a Phil Steele Football Championship Subdivision First Team All-American and was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.[2]

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings

Udoh was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 193rd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft.[3]

Udoh was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Vikings on July 29, 2020. He was activated on August 13, 2020.[4]

Udoh re-signed with the Vikings on March 18, 2023.[5] He suffered a quad injury in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 19, 2023.[6]

New Orleans Saints

On March 19, 2024, Udoh signed with the New Orleans Saints.[7]

Legal troubles

On October 31, 2022, Udoh was arrested during the Vikings' bye week for falsely being accused of following a woman into a bathroom at a bar and refusing to leave and was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The charges were later dismissed and his lawyer characterized the arrest as unlawful due to the evidence proving that he never entered the bathroom with a woman.[8] [9]

In May 2023, Udoh was cited on three separate occasions for traffic violations. Two of these incidents were for speeding, including driving 97 MPH in a 55 MPH zone on I-94 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was also charged with reckless driving in a separate incident two days later.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Olisaemera Udoh - Stats. MileSplit North Carolina.
  2. Web site: Olisaemeka Udoh - Football . May 28, 2019 . Elon University Athletics . en.
  3. Web site: April 27, 2019 . Vikings Select Elon T Olisaemeka Udoh in the 6th Round of the NFL Draft . Vikings.com.
  4. News: July 29, 2020 . Minnesota Vikings Player Updates On Reserve/COVID-19 List . Vikings.com . August 14, 2020.
  5. Web site: Vikings Agree to Terms on Return for Olisaemeka Udoh. Peters, Craig. Vikings.com. March 18, 2023.
  6. Web site: Vikings place Oli Udoh on injured reserve to make room for Dalton Risner. Williams, Charean. Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. September 19, 2023.
  7. Web site: New Orleans Saints agree to terms with offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh. NewOrleansSaints.com. March 19, 2024.
  8. Web site: MSN . .
  9. Web site: Ragatz . Will . October 23, 2022 . Report: Vikings' Oli Udoh Arrested in Miami For Disorderly Conduct | Sports Illustrated Minnesota Vikings News, Analysis and More . May 18, 2023 . SI.com.
  10. Web site: Altmann . Erik . June 22, 2023 . Minnesota Viking cited for driving 97 mph in a 55 zone, reckless driving . June 23, 2023 . KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News . en-US.