Olasunkanmi "Ola" Adeniyi (born September 12, 1997) is a Nigerian-born American football player who is a free agent. He played college football at Toledo. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
 Adeniyi with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 | |||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
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| Born: | September 12, 1997 Lagos, Nigeria[1] | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 248 lb (112 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | George Bush (Richmond, Texas) | ||||||||||
| College: | Toledo | ||||||||||
| Position: | Outside linebacker | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Early life
editWhen Adeniyi was six years old, his mother, Esther, moved to the United States in order set up a better life for Adeniyi's family. Adeniyi and his older brother, Olamide, stayed with a family member in Nigeria.[2] After two years, he and his brother moved to Houston, Texas reuniting with their mother.[3] He graduated from George Bush High School in Fort Bend County, Texas. As a senior, he recorded 76 tackles, of which 18 were for loss, and five sacks.[4] He signed to play football for the Toledo Rockets in February 2014.[5]
College career
editAdeniyi did not play as a true freshman in 2014 and chose to redshirt. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, he played in seven games as a backup.
Adeniyi's breakout year came in 2016 as a redshirt sophomore as he played in all 13 of Toledo's games, starting 12. In those 13 games, he tallied 49 tackles (eight for loss) and four sacks.[6]
As a redshirt junior in 2017, Adeniyi played in all 14 of Toledo's games, recording 66 tackles (20 for loss), 8.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.[7] He was named to the 2017 All-MAC Second-team.[8] After the season, he declared for the 2018 NFL draft.[9]
Professional career
editPittsburgh Steelers (first stint)
editAdeniyi signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018.[10] He was placed on injured reserve on September 3, 2018.[11] He was activated off injured reserve on December 1, 2018.[12]
In Week 9 of the 2019 season against the Indianapolis Colts, Adeniyi forced a fumble on Chester Rogers during a kick return and the ball was recovered by teammate Johnny Holton in the 26–24 win.[13]
Tennessee Titans
edit
Adeniyi signed with the Tennessee Titans on March 22, 2021.[14] He entered the season as a backup linebacker and core special teamer. He finished third on the team in special teams tackles, and had a career-high 2.5 sacks on defense.
On March 25, 2022, Adeniyi re-signed with the Titans.[15] He was placed on injured reserve on October 17, 2022 with a neck injury.[16] He was activated on December 3.[17] On December 12, Adeniyi was released by the Titans.[18]
Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)
editOn December 13, 2022, Adeniyi signed a deal to return to the Steelers.[19]
References
edit- ^ Wexell, Jim. "Squat, strong Adeniyi top pass-rusher of Steelers' rookie class". 247sports. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Varley, Teresa (May 12, 2019). "Adeniyi: 'I love her'". Steelers.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (May 7, 2021). ""My Mom is My Hero": Titans LB Ola Adeniyi Credits His Mother for Life-Changing Sacrifices, and Lessons Learned". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ "Olasunkanmi Adeniyi". University of Toledo Athletics. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "MAC Football Signing Day". Mid-American Conference. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Olasunkanmi Adeniyi 2016 Player Statistics". cfbstats.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Olasunkanmi Adeniyi 2017 Player Statistics". cfbstats.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "MAC ANNOUNCES 2017 POSTSEASON FOOTBALL AWARDS". Mid-American Conference. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "UT's Adeniyi announces he will enter 2018 NFL Draft". The Blade. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Steelers agree to terms with 13 rookie free agents". Steelers.com. April 28, 2018. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Steelers re-sign Berhe to active roster". Steelers.com. September 3, 2018.
- ^ "Steelers activate Adeniyi to 53-man roster". Steelers.com. December 1, 2018.
- ^ "Vinatieri misses late, Steelers edge Colts 26-24". ESPN. Associated Press. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (March 22, 2021). "Titans Add LB/Special Teams Ace in Ola Adeniyi, Formerly of the Steelers". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (March 25, 2022). "Titans Agree to Terms With OLB/Special Teams Standout Ola Adeniyi". TennesseeTitans.com.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (October 17, 2022). "Titans Place OLB Ola Adeniyi on Injured Reserve". TennesseeTitans.com.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (December 3, 2022). "Titans Activate OLB Ola Adeniyi from Injured Reserve, Waive Kicker Caleb Shudak". TennesseeTitans.com.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (December 12, 2022). "Titans Release OLB Ola Adeniyi, LB Joe Schobert". TennesseeTitans.com.
- ^ "Steelers sign former Titans linebacker Ola Adeniyi". steelerswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
External links
edit- Toledo Rockets bio
Media related to Ola Adeniyi at Wikimedia Commons
