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Noah Igbinoghene
Noah Igbinoghene (/ɪɡbɛˈnɔːɡɪniː/ igg-beh-NAWG-ih-nee;[2] born November 27, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Igbinoghene has also played for the Dallas Cowboys. Early lifeIgbinoghene is of Nigerian descent, and lived in Nigeria for part of his life.[3] Both of his parents, Festus and Faith, were Olympic athletes in track and field.[4] Igbinoghene attended Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, Alabama. He played on the football team at wide receiver. As a senior, he tallied over 1,700 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns. He received All-USA Today Alabama and ASWA Class 7A All-state honors.[5][6] He was a multiple state champion in track and field, claiming eight Alabama High School Athletic Association titles between the long jump and triple jump.[7] College careerIgbinoghene accepted a football scholarship from Auburn University, where he played from 2017 to 2019. As a true freshman, he was a backup wide receiver, playing mostly on special teams. He appeared in 14 games, tallying 6 receptions for 24 yards and 24 kickoff returns for 571 yards (23.8-yard avg.). As a sophomore, he was converted into a cornerback during the spring.[8][9] He became a starter that season, registering 50 tackles and 11 pass breakups.[10] He made 5 tackles and 2 pass breakups in the season opener against the University of Washington. He had a 96-yard kickoff return for touchdown and forced a fumble against the University of Arkansas. He made 7 tackles against the University of Alabama. He had 5 tackles against Purdue University in the 2018 Music City Bowl. As a junior, he posted 42 tackles and 7 pass breakups. He made 8 tackles against Texas A&M University. He had 6 tackles against Louisiana State University. He made 5 tackles against the University of Alabama. He set a school bowl record with a 96-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the 2020 Outback Bowl. He declared for the NFL Draft after the season.[11][12] He finished his career with 92 tackles, one interception and 2 kickoff returns for touchdowns. He also practiced track and field, competing in the long jump and triple jump. He finished fourth in the triple jump at the War Eagle Invitational in 2018. Professional career
Miami DolphinsIgbinoghene was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round (30th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.[15] The Dolphins previously moved down from one of the first round draft selections they acquired in the trade that sent Kenny Stills and Laremy Tunsil to the Houston Texans. Entering the league as a 20-year-old rookie made Igbinoghene the youngest player in the NFL, furthermore, his offseason was limited and the preseason games were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the second game of the season against the Buffalo Bills, starter Byron Jones left after the opening drive with a groin injury, forcing Igbinoghene to cover Stefon Diggs the rest of the game and allowing 8 receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown.[16] He would start the next 2 contests in place of Jones, with mixed results.[17] He appeared in all 16 games with 2 starts, finishing with 10 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 special teams tackles and 4 kickoff returns for 68 yards (17-yard avg.).[18] In 2021, he struggled on the field, appearing in 7 games with one start, while making 4 defensive tackles and 2 special teams tackles .[19] He was declared inactive in 6 contests. He also missed 2 contests on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. In Week 6, he was named the starter against the Jacksonville Jaguars and had 4 tackles. In 2022, he appeared in 9 games with 2 starts, collecting 10 tackles, one interception, and three passes defended.[20] He was declared inactive in 8 contests. A rash of injuries at the cornerback position, allowed him the opportunity to play in a stretch of 5 games. In Week 8, he was named the starter and secured a game-sealing interception (first in his career) in the waning seconds of a 16–10 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, to go along with 4 tackles and one pass defensed.[21] He also started in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills and had 2 tackles. In 2023, the Dolphins declined his contract fifth-year option. He also faced increased competition during the preseason, with the signing of All-Pro Jalen Ramsey, Eli Apple and the selection of rookie second-round draft choice Cam Smith.[22] Dallas CowboysOn August 29, 2023, the Dolphins traded Igbinoghene to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for cornerback Kelvin Joseph.[23] In his Cowboys debut, he scored the Cowboys' first touchdown of the season on a 58-yard blocked field goal return, kickstarting the Cowboys' 40–0 shutout win over the New York Giants.[24] He appeared in 5 games as a backup cornerback and played mainly on special teams, only seeing late-game action on defense in a few contests. He was declared inactive in a total of 12 games. Washington CommandersIgbinoghene signed as a free agent with the Washington Commanders on March 18, 2024.[25] He reunited with head coach Dan Quinn, who was his defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys. After starting cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. suffered an injury in Week 1, requiring surgery, Igbinoghene took over the starting nickelback role in place of Mike Sainristil, who moved from nickelback to cornerback to replace Forbes.[26] Igbinoghene retained the starting nickelback position after Forbes returned from injury.[27] References
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