Ifeatu Melifonwu
| No. 26 – Detroit Lions | |||||||||
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | May 2, 1999 Grafton, Massachusetts | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 212 lb (96 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Grafton (Grafton, Massachusetts) | ||||||||
| College: | Syracuse | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2021 / Round: 3 / Pick: 101 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 13, 2021 | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Ifeatu Christian-David Melifonwu (born May 2, 1999) is an American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Syracuse and was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Early years[]
Melifonwu attended Grafton High School in Grafton, Massachusetts. He played defensive back, running back and wide receiver in high school. A standout athlete, Melifonwu also played basketball, ran track, and even played a year of lacrosse. Melifonwu committed to Syracuse University to play college football.[1][2]
College career[]
Melifonwu played at Syracuse from 2017 to 2020. After redshirting his first year in 2017, he played in 29 games over the next three seasons. He finished his career with 88 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. After his junior season in 2020, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.[3][4]
Professional career[]
Melifonwu was drafted in the third round, 101st overall, by the Detroit Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft.[5] Melifonwu signed his four-year rookie contract with Detroit on July 23, 2021.[6]
On September 22, 2021, Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve after suffering a thigh injury in Week 2.[7] He was activated on November 29.
Personal life[]
His brother, Obi Melifonwu, plays in the NFL.[8][9]
References[]
- ^ Parello, Joe (July 3, 2016). "Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu verbally commits to Syracuse". ESPN.com.
- ^ "2017 Massachusetts DB Ifeatu Melifonwu commits to SU". newyorkupstate. July 3, 2016.
- ^ "Syracuse football's Ifeatu Melifonwu declares early for NFL Draft". syracuse. December 18, 2020.
- ^ Report, T&G Staff. "Syracuse's Ifeatu Melifonwu of Grafton declares for NFL Draft". Worcester Telegram.
- ^ Birkett, Dave (April 30, 2021). "Detroit Lions take Ifeatu Melifonwu, athletic Syrcause CB, in Round 3 of 2021 NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ "NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/23/21".
- ^ "Detroit Lions place Ifeatu Melifonwu on IR, sign Daryl Worley from practice squad". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. September 22, 2021.
- ^ "Will Grafton see two Melifonwu brothers in the NFL next year?". January 5, 2021.
- ^ "SU football CB hopes to follow in NFL brother's footsteps (video)". syracuse. March 8, 2018.
External links[]
- 1999 births
- Living people
- Players of American football from Boston
- American football cornerbacks
- American football safeties
- Syracuse Orange football players
- Detroit Lions players
- People from Grafton, Massachusetts
- American people of Igbo descent