Germain Ifedi (born June 2, 1994) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas A&M and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft.

Germain Ifedi
refer to caption
Ifedi with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022
No. 65 – Cleveland Browns
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1994-06-02) June 2, 1994 (age 30)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school:Westside (Houston)
College:Texas A&M (2012–2015)
NFL draft:2016 / round: 1 / pick: 31
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:102
Games started:83
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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A native of Houston, Ifedi attended Westside High School, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track.[1] He earned second-team All-State honors by the Associated Press. He recorded 96 pancake blocks as a senior, and also blocked a kick. The Westside Wolves went 10–4 on the season, losing the UIL 5A Division II Regional Final to Dekaney, which were led by running back Trey Williams.[2] Regarded a four-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN, Ifedi was listed the No. 13 offensive guard prospect in his class.[3][4]

College career

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After redshirting in his first year at Texas A&M, Ifedi started at right guard all 13 season games on the offensive line in 2013.[5][6] The Aggies offensive line, that also included tackles Jake Matthews and Cedric Ogbuehi, blocked for an offense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring, passing and total offense. Quarterback Johnny Manziel completed 69 percent of his passes over the season, for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns, and lead the team in rushing yards with 759. After the season, Ifedi was named Freshman All-American by Sporting News.[7]

In his sophomore season, Ifedi replaced Ogbuehi at right tackle (after Ogbuehi had to replace Matthews at left tackle). Ifedi started all but two games of the season, missing the Auburn and Missouri games due to a sprained knee suffered against Louisiana–Monroe.[8] The Aggies offensive line allowed only 27 sacks (2.1 per game), while quarterbacks Kenny Hill and Kyle Allen attempted a combined 514 passes (39.5 per game), leading the Southeastern Conference in passing yards and touchdowns per game.[9]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+34 in
(1.97 m)
324 lb
(147 kg)
36 in
(0.91 m)
10+34 in
(0.27 m)
5.27 s 1.80 s 3.04 s 4.75 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)
9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)
24 reps
Values from NFL Combine[10][11]

Seattle Seahawks

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Ifedi was selected in the first round with the 31st overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks.[12] He became the fourth consecutive Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman selected in the first round of an NFL Draft, after Luke Joeckel (2013), Jake Matthews (2014), and Cedric Ogbuehi (2015).[13]

On May 6, 2016, Ifedi signed a four-year deal worth $8.27 million overall with a $4.2 million signing bonus.[14][15] Ifedi made his first career start and NFL debut on October 2, 2016, against the New York Jets in Week 4 after missing September due to an ankle injury.[16] As a rookie, he appeared in and started 13 regular season games and both of the Seahawks' playoff games.[17]

Ifedi entered his second season in 2017 as the Seahawks starting right tackle, starting in all 16 games.[18] Ifedi led the league in penalties with 16.[19]

In the 2018 season, Ifedi appeared in and started 15 regular season games and the Seahawks' one playoff game.[20]

On May 3, 2019, the Seahawks declined the fifth-year option on Ifedi's contract, making him a free agent in 2020.[21] In the 2019 season, he appeared in and started all 16 regular season games and both of the Seahawks' playoff games.[22]

Chicago Bears

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On April 1, 2020, Ifedi signed with the Chicago Bears on a one-year deal.[23] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 3, 2020,[24] and activated three days later.[25] He started in all 16 games for the Bears in 2020, 10 at right guard and six at right tackle.[26][27]

On April 1, 2021, Ifedi re-signed with the Bears.[28] He suffered a knee injury in Week 5 and was placed on injured reserve on October 13.[29] He was activated on December 20.[30] In the 2021 season, he appeared in nine games and started two.[31]

Atlanta Falcons

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On April 6, 2022, Ifedi signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.[32] In the 2022 season, he appeared in all 17 games for Atlanta, mainly in a special teams role.[33] He re-signed with the team on March 22, 2023.[34] He was released on May 16, 2023.[35]

Detroit Lions

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On May 23, 2023, Ifedi signed with the Detroit Lions.[36] He was released on August 27.[37]

Buffalo Bills

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On August 30, 2023, Ifedi signed with the Buffalo Bills.[38] He was released on December 28 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[39][40] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.[41]

Cleveland Browns

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On April 18, 2024, Ifedi signed with the Cleveland Browns.[42] He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[43][44] He was promoted to the active roster on September 25.[45]

Personal life

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Ifedi's parents are Nigerian immigrants.[46] Ifedi is a member of the Pi Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. His older brother, Martin Ifedi, played defensive end for the Memphis Tigers. His eldest brother, Benedict Ifedi, is a Primary Care-Sports Medicine Physician in Katy, Texas.[47]

At Texas A&M, Ifedi majored in construction science.[48] He interned with Manhattan-Vaughn Construction in 2015, the joint venture which renovated Kyle Field.[49]

References

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  1. ^ Marrion, Jack (February 2, 2017). "Westside's Ifedi reaches Super Bowl with Falcons". Chron.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  2. ^ McDaniel, Jason (December 3, 2011). "Williams carries Dekaney past Westfield". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "Germain Ifedi, Westside , Offensive Guard". 247Sports. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  4. ^ "Germain Ifedi - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  5. ^ Khan Jr., Sam (April 23, 2014). "A&M spring surprises: Germain Ifedi". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  6. ^ Howe, Jeff (April 2, 2016). "Patriots draft series: Germain Ifedi could add to line's youth movement". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  7. ^ "Germain Ifedi Named to Outland Trophy Watch List". Good Bull Hunting. July 10, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  8. ^ Tracy, Gerald (November 5, 2014). "Texas A&M Loses Starting Right Tackle Germain Ifedi". Fansided. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "2014 Southeastern Conference Team Offense". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  10. ^ "Germain Ifedi Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  11. ^ "2016 NFL Draft Scout Germain Ifedi College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  12. ^ Condotta, Bob (April 28, 2016). "Seahawks select Germain Ifedi in first round of 2016 NFL Draft". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  13. ^ Elmasry, Talal (April 28, 2016). "Germain Ifedi keeps alive incredible Texas A&M streak". Saturday Down South. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  14. ^ Condotta, Bob (May 6, 2016). "Reports: Seahawks' first-round pick Germain Ifedi, four others, agree to contract terms". Seattle Times. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  15. ^ "2016 NFL Draft first-round signing tracker". NFL.com. May 12, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  16. ^ Bell, Gregg (October 2, 2016). "Finally, rookie "monster" Germain Ifedi will debut on o-line Sunday at Jets". The News Tribune. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  17. ^ "Germain Ifedi 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  18. ^ "Germain Ifedi 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  19. ^ Patton, Andy (May 2, 2019). "Seahawks decline 5th-year option on tackle Germain Ifedi". Seahawks Wire. USA Today. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  20. ^ "Germain Ifedi 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  21. ^ Gilbert, John (May 3, 2019). "The Seahawks decline Germain Ifedi's fifth year option, so what now?". Field Gulls. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  22. ^ "Germain Ifedi 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  23. ^ Mayer, Larry (April 1, 2020). "Roster Move: Bears sign Ifedi to 1-year deal". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  24. ^ Lieser, Jason (November 3, 2020). "Bears put OT Jason Spriggs, RG Germain Ifedi on reserve/COVID-19 list; RT Bobby Massie to IR". SunTimes.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  25. ^ Mayer, Larry (November 6, 2020). "Roster Moves: Ifedi activated from reserve/COVID-19 list". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  26. ^ "Germain Ifedi 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  27. ^ "2020 Chicago Bears Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  28. ^ Mayer, Larry (March 17, 2021). "Roster Move: Bears agree to extension with Ifedi". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  29. ^ Western, Evan (October 13, 2021). "Bears put Germain Ifedi on injured reserve, Elijah Wilkinson likely to start at right tackle". Acme Packing Company. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  30. ^ Mayer, Larry (December 20, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears activate Ifedi, flex 8 others". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  31. ^ "Germain Ifedi 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  32. ^ McElhaney, Tori (April 6, 2022). "Falcons add veteran offensive tackle to bolster line of scrimmage depth". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  33. ^ "Germain Ifedi 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  34. ^ Edmunds, Ashton (March 22, 2023). "Falcons re-sign Germain Ifedi to one-year deal". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  35. ^ McElhaney, Tori (May 16, 2023). "Falcons sign four, release veteran tackle". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  36. ^ Comeaux, Jonathan (May 23, 2023). "Lions Signing OL Germain Ifedi". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  37. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 27, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  38. ^ White, Alec (August 30, 2023). "Bills sign OT Germain Ifedi, re-sign LS Reid Ferguson to 53-man roster". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  39. ^ Jones, Zach (December 28, 2023). "Bills release OT Germain Ifedi". Audacy. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  40. ^ Wojton, Nick (December 31, 2023). "Bills re-sign Germain Ifedi to practice squad after his release". Bills Wire. USA Today. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  41. ^ White, Alec (January 22, 2024). "Bills sign 14 players to Reserve/Futures contracts". Buffalo Bills. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  42. ^ "Browns sign OL Germain Ifedi". ClevelandBrowns.com. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  43. ^ Russo, Kelsey (August 27, 2024). "Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2024 season". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  44. ^ "Browns sign 13 players to the practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 28, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  45. ^ "Browns sign T Germain Ifedi to active roster, place G Wyatt Teller on injured reserve". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 25, 2024.
  46. ^ Dodd, Dennis (June 26, 2017). "How culture, passion and genetics are fueling a Nigerian takeover of U.S. sports". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  47. ^ "Memphis' Martin Ifedi blossoms into leader in sacks". NFL.com. September 25, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  48. ^ "#AskTheAg: Germain Ifedi". 247Sports. August 28, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2024.[dead link]
  49. ^ Johnson, Will (August 2015). "On The Front Lines". 12thManFoundation.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
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