Obi Ezeh

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Obi Ezeh
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:243 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:Catholic Central High School
College:Michigan
Undrafted:2011
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 2007 Freshman All-America (CollegeFootballNews 1st-team, Sporting News 2nd team)
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com

Obi Pius Ezeh (born February 2, 1988) is a former American football linebacker. He was included on both the 2009 mid-season and the 2009 preseason watchlist for the Butkus Award.[1][2] He was the active Michigan Wolverines football career leader in tackles.[3]

In high school, he played

United States national rugby union team
.

At Michigan, he

middle linebacker position and appeared to have lost the position early in the season. However, after an injury he became a regular starter. He concluded the season with thirteen and twelve tackle efforts against bitter rivals Michigan State and Ohio State, respectively. He started his redshirt sophomore season with a Big Ten Conference defensive player of the week, fifteen-tackle effort for the 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team
. He finished the season as an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection. Just after earning 2009 midseason Butkus Award watchlist recognition, he was removed from the starting lineup and saw limited action in the final four games.

After his senior season in 2010, Ezeh declared for the

Washington Redskins
.

High school

As a youth, Ezeh was unable to play football because he was too big for the local leagues according to Grand Rapids area officials.[4] As a sophomore running back for the 2003 Catholic Central Cougars football team, Ezeh had several 100-yard games as well as multiple touchdown games,[5][6][7] even though he was not the primary weapon in the backfield.[8] Ezeh was also a member of the Cougars rugby team that placed 11th at the 2004 United States High School Rugby National Championships.[9]

As a junior running back, he opened his football season with 170 yards on 18 carries.

Detroit News Class B All-state honorable mention linebacker.[13] He was also selected as Grand Rapids All-area honorable mention, according to The Grand Rapids Press.[14] He also helped lead the 2005 rugby team to a State Championship threepeat.[15]

In 2005, Ezeh entered his senior season as the focal point of his school's running game and was rated as the seventh-best football prospect in the state of Michigan, according to

fullback, tight end or linebacker.[23]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Obi Ezeh
RB 		Grand Rapids, Michigan Catholic Central (MI) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 219.5 lb (99.6 kg) 4.6 Dec 11, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 69
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 72 (RB)   Rivals: 51 (RB), 12 (MI)  ESPN: 130 (RB)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Michigan Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  • "2006 Michigan Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  • "2006 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 8, 2009.

Michigan

Michigan – Ohio State rivalry game against Ohio State on November 17 to end the regular season.[40]

Obi Ezeh on September 5, 2009

After the graduation of

Chris Graham there was again a notable battle for linebacker positions entering the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season for the 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team. Ezeh who had posted 68 tackles in 2007 was the leading returning tackler.[50] As the only returning starting linebacker, Ezeh assumed the role of mentor.[51] Ezeh won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award on September 1, 2008, for a game against the Utah Utes where he recorded 15 tackles and an interception.[52][53] He also earned an ABC Player of the Game recognition.[3] Ezeh also posted fifteen tackles in the October 4 game against the Illinois Fighting Illini,[54] which earned him his second ABC Player of the Game award.[3] He posted two other double digit tackle games, including a ten tackle effort in his second Paul Bunyan Trophy game.[54] Ezeh finished the season seventh in the Big Ten in tackles.[55] He was recognized as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media.[56] He won the 2008 Roger Zatkoff
Award as Michigan's top linebacker.

Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry
game.

Ezeh entered the

offensive lineman Stephen Schilling (26).[57] As a redshirt junior during the 2009 season for the Wolverines, Ezeh posted fourteen tackles against Michigan State bringing his three-game career total to 37 tackles against the Spartans.[58] Ezeh had grown up in a neighborhood with many Michigan State fans who flew their Michigan State flags,[59] and he once attended Michigan Football camp wearing a Michigan State shirt.[60] He has been included on both the 2009 midseason and the 2009 preseason watchlist for the Butkus Award.[1] The midseason list includes sixteen linebackers.[2] Although he was added to the midseason Butkus watchlist in mid October, on October 31 he was removed from the starting lineup after starting 29 straight games.[61]

Defensive unit for the 2010 Wolverines vs. the 2010 Connecticut Huskies (including #32 Jordan Kovacs, #8 Jonas Mouton, #45 Ezeh, #68 Mike Martin and #88 Craig Roh

During the

middle linebacker position to Kenny Demens.[62] Ezeh's final regular start was against Michigan State on October 9, when he tied his season-high with nine tackles and boosted his career total against Michigan State to 46.[63][64] When Jonas Mouton was unavailable for the Purdue game on November 13 due to a chest injury,[65] Ezeh stepped in and recorded his first sack of the season as well as eight solo tackles.[63]

Professional career

At his initial March 17, 2011 pro day, he posted modest numbers:

20-yard shuttle.[66]

He went undrafted in the

undrafted free agent on July 31, 2011.[68] He was waived on August 19.[69]

Personal

Ezeh is the son of Pius and Nkechy. He has four siblings: Onyinye, Kaka, Nnenna and Nicole.[70]

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Big Ten

    Football Weekly

    Release September 7, 2009"     (PDF). Big Ten Conference. September 7, 2009. p. 6. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  2. ^
    CBS Interactive. October 19, 2009. Archived from the original
    on October 22, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "45 Obi Ezeh". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  4. ^ Snyder, Mark (September 4, 2008). "Michigan's Obi Ezeh takes charge". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  5. ^ "Cougars' ride hot start past Rams". The Grand Rapids Press. October 4, 2003. p. C9. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  6. ^ Bos, Jane (September 21, 2003). "Cougars claim Catholic title". The Grand Rapids Press. p. D12. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  7. ^ "Cougars rip MCC". The Grand Rapids Press. September 28, 2003. p. D15. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  8. ^ Holzwarth, Dean (November 11, 2003). "They're big, fast on both sides of the ball". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C1. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  9. ^ Holzwarth, Dean (May 27, 2004). "Cougars rugby team proves it belongs at national meet". The Grand Rapids Press. p. 3. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  10. ^ Johnson, Greg (August 28, 2004). "Catholic Central stops skid - Cougars top Jenison for the first time in five-year rivalry". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C13. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  11. ^ Johnson, Greg (August 28, 2004). "South Christian sails past Catholic Central - Home team's adjustments secure comeback victory". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C10. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  12. ^ "45 Obi Ezeh". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  13. ^ "High Schools: The Detroit News honorable mention football team". The Detroit News. November 28, 2004. p. 13D. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  14. ^ Bos, Jane (November 29, 2004). "All-Area Second Team". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C7. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  15. ^ Holzwarth, Dean (May 26, 2005). "Cougars best in Michigan - Catholic Central rugby team tops brighton for state championship". The Grand Rapids Press. p. 5. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  16. ^ Markowski, Tom (August 24, 2005). "Top Football Players - Graham believes in power of the hit". The Detroit News. p. 04G. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  17. ^ Holzwarth, Dean (August 25, 2005). "The force is with him - Rugby contributes to Ezeh's strength on football field". The Grand Rapids Press. p. 2. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  18. ^ "Top 10 rushers". The Grand Rapids Press. October 1, 2005. p. D14. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  19. ^ "Top 10 rushers". The Grand Rapids Press. October 22, 2005. p. D14. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  20. ^ Holzwarth, Dean (November 20, 2005). "Catholic Central chops down Orchard View - Cougars rally in second half to beat defending state champions 35-34". The Grand Rapids Press. p. D13. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  21. ^ Holzwarth, Dean (November 26, 2005). "Sidewiped at Ford; Hudsonville and Catholic Central run out of gas in finals - Last drive falls short for Catholic Central". The Grand Rapids Press. p. B1. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  22. Ann Arbor News
    . p. D5. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  23. ^ a b c Bos, Jane (December 13, 2005). "Catholic Central star to play football at Michigan - Ezeh could end up as fullback, tight end or linebacker". The Grand Rapids Press. p. D1. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  24. ^ "All-Area Second Team". The Grand Rapids Press. November 28, 2005. p. C5. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  25. ^ "The Detroit News Blue Chip List". The Detroit News. January 15, 2006. p. 10C. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  26. ^ Holzwarth, Dean (February 2, 2006). "Ezeh to play in all-star game in July". The Grand Rapids Press. p. 3. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  27. ^ Holzwarth, Dean (February 9, 2006). "A full ride to Division I - Catholic Central duo taking football talents to U-M, CMU". The Grand Rapids Press. p. 3. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  28. ^
    Ann Arbor News
    . p. B1. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  29. Ann Arbor News
    . p. B10. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  30. ^ a b Snyder, Mark (September 20, 2007). "U-M linebacker Thompson filling in nicely". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  31. Ann Arbor News
    . p. D1. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  32. ^ Heuser, John (August 11, 2007). "U-M athletes face trial - GR's Ezeh charged with drunken driving". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C4. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  33. Ann Arbor News
    . August 24, 2008. p. W3. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  34. ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (August 30, 2007). "Michigan will lean to the left on offense". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  35. Ann Arbor News
    . p. B2. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  36. ^ Beardsley, Howie (August 30, 2007). "MSU's fullback spot full of locals - Lowell standout will start in season opener Saturday". The Grand Rapids Press. p. D3. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  37. ^ "Shocking loss destroys Michigan's 2007 season". The Morning Sun. September 2, 2007. pp. 9, 14. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  38. ^ a b c Herman, Jack (October 11, 2007). "Michigan's Ezeh proves himself on 'D'". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  39. Ann Arbor News
    . p. B1. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  40. ^ a b c d "Obi Ezeh #45 LB (2007 game log)". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  41. ^ "Michigan 28, Northwestern 16". ESPN.com. September 29, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  42. ^ Seligman, Andrew (September 29, 2007). "Late turnovers, Arrington touchdown catch lift Michigan to 28-16 win over Northwestern". Associated Press. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  43. Ann Arbor News
    . p. B6. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  44. Ann Arbor News
    . p. B2. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  45. ^ "2007 football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan. May 9, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  46. ^ "John Thompson #45 LB (2007 game log)". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  47. ^ Snyder, Mark (November 1, 2007). "Brief: U-M starting MLB Ezeh sentenced to year's probation". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  48. ^ "Michigan linebacker Ezeh sentenced for driving impaired". Morris Daily Herald. November 1, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  49. Ann Arbor News
    . p. B6. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  50. ^ Pitts, Antoine (August 24, 2008). "Ezeh looking to build upon breakout season at linebacker - Catholic Central grad impresses with speed". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C10. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  51. Ann Arbor News
    . p. B1. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  52. ^ "Illinois' Williams, Indiana's Lewis, Michigan's Ezeh and Northwestern's Demos Named First Football Players of the Week for 2008: Illini quarterback sets personal bests in nearly every passing category while Indiana signal caller sets school record for career passing touchdowns". CBS Interactive. September 1, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  53. ^ Snyder, Mark (August 30, 2008). "Michigan loses season opener at home for second season in a row". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  54. ^ a b "Obi Ezeh #45 LB (2008 game log)". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  55. CBS Interactive. January 9, 2009. Archived from the original
    on November 26, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  56. CBS Interactive. November 24, 2008. Archived from the original
    on September 18, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  57. ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (September 17, 2009). "Mouton won't face disciplinary action". The Detroit News. p. 02C. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  58. ^ "Obi Ezeh #45 LB (2009 game log)". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  59. ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (October 2, 2009). "Wolverines watch what they wear". The Detroit News. p. 4B. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  60. ^ Snyder, Mark (October 1, 2009). "Michigan's defensive priority is to prevent big plays". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  61. ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (November 12, 2009). "Minor's shoulder problem now". The Detroit News. p. 2C. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  62. Detroit News. Retrieved November 6, 2010.[permanent dead link
    ]
  63. ^ a b "Team: Michigan: Player: Obi Ezeh". National Collegiate Athletic Association. October 31, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  64. ^ "Team: Michigan: Player: Obi Ezeh (Opponent Michigan State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  65. ^ Snyder, Mark (November 10, 2010). "Michigan LB Jonas Mouton iffy for Purdue game". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  66. ^ Wilson, Aaron (April 11, 2011). "Michigan LB Obi Ezeh improves workout numbers". National Football Post. Reign Net Media, LLC. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  67. ^ Snyder, Mark (July 27, 2011). "Martell Webb, other former Wolverines sign with NFL teams". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 8, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  68. Washington Post
    . Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  69. ^ "NFL transactions for August 18, 2011". Pro Football Weekly. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  70. ^ "The driver". The Grand Rapids Press. August 25, 2005. p. 2. Retrieved October 10, 2009.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Obi_Ezeh&oldid=1211196605"