Albert Okwuegbunam
Albert Chukwuemeka Okwuegbunam (/ˌoʊkwuˈeɪbunɑːm/ OH-kwoo-AY-boo-nahm;[1] born April 25, 1998) is an American football tight end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Missouri.
| No. 85 – Denver Broncos | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Tight end | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | April 25, 1998 Springfield, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 258 lb (117 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Sacred Heart-Griffin Springfield, Illinois | ||||||
| College: | Missouri (2016–2019) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2020 / Round: 4 / Pick: 118 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of 2022 | |||||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||
Early life
Okwuegbunam attended Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois.[2] He played wide receiver for the football team. He committed to the University of Missouri to play college football.[3]
College career
After redshirting his first year at Missouri in 2016, Okwuegbunam played in all 13 games in 2017 and recorded 29 receptions for 415 yards and 11 touchdowns.[4][5] He returned as Missouri's starter in 2018.[6][7] Following the 2019 season, Okwuegbunam decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.[8]
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 5+1⁄2 in (1.97 m) |
258 lb (117 kg) |
34+1⁄8 in (0.87 m) |
10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) | 4.49 s | 1.56 s | 2.62 s | ||||||
| All values from NFL Combine[9][10] | ||||||||||||
Okwuegbunam was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round with the 118th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, reuniting with his former Missouri teammate, Drew Lock.[11] He made his NFL debut in Week 6 of the 2020 season against the New England Patriots. He had two receptions for 45 yards in the 18–12 victory.[12] He was placed on injured reserve on November 10, 2020 with a torn ACL.[13]
On October 9, 2021, Okwuegbunam was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.[14] He was activated on October 30.[15]
References
- "Albert Okwuegbunam: Path to the Pros 2020". Youtube. April 9, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- Mahan, Ryan (August 22, 2015). "CS8 football preview: Albert Okwuegbunam stands tall for loaded SHG". The State Journal-Register. GateHouse Media. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Webster, Brian (September 19, 2015). "SHG receiver Albert Okwuegbunam makes verbal commitment to Missouri". The State Journal-Register. GateHouse Media. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Matter, Dave (August 2, 2018). "Matter's Mizzou camp countdown: What can Albert O. do for an encore?". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Matter, Dave (October 25, 2017). "'Albert O' soars into spotlight for Mizzou". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Lee, Eric (August 4, 2018). "NOTEBOOK: Okwuegbunam looks to build on freshman campaign | Mizzou Football". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Teague-Robinson, Cameron (August 25, 2018). "The big 'O' in Missouri's offense". Columbia Daily Tribune. GateHouse Media. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Terada, Souic (December 2, 2019). "Mizzou tight end Albert Okwuegbunam declares for NFL, leaves one year early". kansascity.com. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- "Albert Okwuegbunam Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
- "2020 Draft Scout Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- Murry, Thomas (April 25, 2020). "Denver Broncos draft Mizzou's Albert Okwuegbunam". ABC 17. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- "Denver Broncos at New England Patriots - October 18th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- DiLalla, Aric (November 10, 2020). "Broncos awarded CB De'Vante Bausby off waivers". DenverBroncos.com.
- DiLalla, Aric (October 9, 2021). "Broncos activate CB Ronald Darby from injured reserve". DenverBroncos.com.
- DiLalla, Aric (October 30, 2021). "Broncos activate WR Jerry Jeudy, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, ILB Jonas Griffith from IR to 53-man roster". DenverBroncos.com.