Isaac Ukwu

Isaac Ukwu

No. 45 – Detroit Lions
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1999-01-14) January 14, 1999 (age 26) Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:	Wise (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
College:	James Madison (2017–2022) Ole Miss (2023)
Undrafted:	2024
Career history
Detroit Lions (2024–present)
Roster status:	Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Sun Belt (2022) Second-team All-CAA (2021)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024
Total tackles: 3 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Isaac Egboida Omiete Ukwu (born January 14, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the James Madison Dukes and for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Early life and high school

Ukwu attended Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Coming out of high school, Ukwu decided to commit to play college football for the James Madison Dukes.[1][2]

College career

James Madison

During Ukwu's five-year career with James Madison from 2017 to 2022, he played in 28 games after suffering two season-ending knee injuries; he totaled 88 tackles, with 27.5 being for a loss, and 16.5 sacks, while being named all-conference twice.[3][4][5][6] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Ukwu entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[7][8]

Ole Miss

Ukwu transferred to play for the Ole Miss Rebels.[9][10] In Ukwu's lone season with Ole Miss, he notched 30 tackles and three and a half sacks.[11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in (1.90 m)	261 lb (118 kg)	33 in (0.84 m)	9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m)	4.88 s	1.65 s	2.80 s	4.50 s	7.35 s	36.0 in (0.91 m)	9 ft 11 in (3.02 m)	29 reps
All values from Pro Day[12]

After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Ukwu signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent.[13][14] He was also selected by the Michigan Panthers in the third round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17.[15]

During Ukwu's three preseason games, he tallied three sacks and a forced fumble while fighting for a spot on the Lions' 53-man roster.[16][17] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[18][19]

References

1. Epps, Wayne (August 11, 2021). "JMU defensive end Isaac Ukwu relishing return, coming off pair of knee injuries". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
2. "Isaac Ukwu, James Madison, Edge". 247SPorts. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
3. Olson, Max; Staples, Andy (May 26, 2023). "Isaac Ukwu on transfer recruiting, NIL and his portal path". The New York Times. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
4. Fleischman, Noah (January 12, 2023). "JMU DE Ukwu Returns To JMU For Final Season Of Eligibility". Daily News-Record. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
5. Mettlen, Shane (April 10, 2023). "Ukwu Watching D-Line Teammates Step Up This Spring". Daily News-Record. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
6. "Isaac Ukwu - 2023 Football Roster". Ole Miss Athletics. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
7. Raven, Benjamin. "Undrafted edge rusher trying to defeat latest challenge by making Lions roster". MLive.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
8. Fleischman, Noah (April 25, 2023). "Ukwu Enters Transfer Portal, Leaves Hole On Defensive Line". Daily News-Record. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
9. Olson, Max (May 19, 2023). "James Madison transfer DL Isaac Ukwu commits to Ole Miss". The New York Times. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
10. Eckert, David (May 19, 2023). "Ole Miss football lands transfer Isaac Ukwu, All-Sun Belt edge rushed from James Madison". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
11. Weber, Alex (April 28, 2024). "Report: Isaac Ukwu to sign with Detroit Lions as undrafted free agent". On3.com. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
12. "2024 NFL Draft Scout Isaac Ukwu College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
13. "Isaac Ukwu, 'Ed, Edd n Eddy' and a promise kept to Lions HC Dan Campbell". The Detroit News. August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
14. "Lions' Isaac Ukwu closing in on roster spot with strong preseason: 'He just shows up'". Detroit Free Press. August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
15. "2024 UFL College Draft: Showboats select Kansas QB Jason Bean with No. 1 pick". FoxSports.com. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
16. Garnett, Ahmad (August 24, 2024). "Isaac Ukwu's strip-sack vs. Steelers strong final pitch for Detroit Lions roster spot". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
17. Booher, Christian. "Ukwu Pondered Giving up Football, Now Shining at Lions Camp". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
18. "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 27, 2024.
19. "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 28, 2024.

External links

• James Madison Dukes bio
• Ole Miss Rebels bio
• Detroit Lions bio