Ukeme Markuss Eligwe (born April 27, 1994) is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football at Florida State and Georgia Southern, and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft.[1] He was also a member of the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders.

Ukeme Eligwe
refer to caption
Eligwe with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017
No. 45
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1994-04-27) April 27, 1994 (age 30)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:239 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Stone Mountain
(Stone Mountain, Georgia)
College:
NFL draft:2017 / round: 5 / pick: 183
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:12
Sacks:1.0
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Professional career

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Kansas City Chiefs

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Eligwe was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round, 183rd overall, in the 2017 NFL draft.[2]

On September 1, 2018, Eligwe was waived by the Chiefs.[3]

New York Giants

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On September 3, 2018, Eligwe was signed to the practice squad of the New York Giants.[4] On October 16, 2018, Eligwe was elevated to the active roster.[5] He was waived on May 6, 2019.[6]

Tennessee Titans

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On August 10, 2019, Eligwe was signed by the Tennessee Titans.[7] He was waived on August 31, 2019, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[8][9] He was released on October 15.

New York Jets

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On October 26, 2019, Eligwe was signed to the New York Jets practice squad.[10]

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

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On December 19, 2019, Eligwe was signed off the Jets' practice squad onto the Oakland Raiders' active roster.[11]

Eligwe chose to opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on August 4, 2020.[12] He was waived after the season on March 1, 2021.[13]

Personal life

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Eligwe is of Nigerian descent. He is of the Ekpeye ethnic group in Rivers State, Nigeria.[14]

References

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  1. ^ Palmer, Tod (April 29, 2017). "Chiefs select Georgia Southern linebacker Ukeme Eligwe in fifth round of NFL Draft". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  2. ^ Thorman, Joel (April 29, 2017). "Chiefs draft picks 2017: LB Ukeme Eligwe is the 5th round pick". ArrowheadPride.com. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  3. ^ "Chiefs Roster Down to NFL-Mandated 53". Chiefs.com. September 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Benton, Dan (September 2, 2018). "Giants add several players to practice squad". Giants Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  5. ^ Eisen, Michael (October 16, 2018). "Giants sign WR Bennie Fowler, waive CB Donte Deayon among roster moves". Giants.com.
  6. ^ "Giants add shot put champion to roster, waive three". Giants Wire. USA Today. May 6, 2019.
  7. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 10, 2019). "Titans Add Four – And Subtract Four - While Also Moving DL Jurrell Casey from PUP to the Active Roster". TitansOnline.com.
  8. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 31, 2019). "Roster Moves: Titans Trim Roster to 53 Players While Also Trading WR Taywan Taylor to Browns". TitansOnline.com.
  9. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 1, 2019). "Titans Add QB Logan Woodside, Eight Others to Team's Practice Squad". TitansOnline.com.
  10. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (October 26, 2019). "Jets Release LG Kelechi Osemele, Promote LB James Burgess from the Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  11. ^ Raiders Media Relations (December 19, 2019). "Raiders sign linebacker Ukeme Eligwe; place tackle Trent Brown on IR". Raiders.com.
  12. ^ Damien, Levi (August 4, 2020). "Devontae Booker cleared to return from COVID-19 list while third Raiders player opts out". USAToday.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  13. ^ Simmons, Myles (March 1, 2021). "Raiders cut Ukeme Eligwe, Jeremiah Valoaga, and D.J. Killings". NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  14. ^ Okupa, Francis (May 2, 2017). "Plenty of African players picked up during the 2017 NFL Draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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