Cheta Ozougwu

Cheta Ozougwu
No. -- Free agent
Position: Outside Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1988-11-18) November 18, 1988
Place of birth: Houston, Texas
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight: 255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
College: Rice
NFL Draft: 2011 / Round: 7 / Pick: 254
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 9
Sacks: 1.0
Forced fumbles: 1
Interceptions: 0
Player stats at NFL.com

Chetachi "Cheta" Ozougwu (born November 18, 1988) is an American football veteran linebacker who is currently a free agent. Ozougwu played 4 season in the National Football League for New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. He played college football at Rice. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.

Early life

Ozougwu graduated from Alief Taylor High School. Selected to the All-District 18-5A and All Greater Houston teams, All-Academic District and Texas top 100 list. Finished senior year with 117 tackles, 19 for a loss and 5 sacks. Selected to the 2007 Texas vs Louisiana All-Star game. Also lettered in track and basketball.[1]

College career

He played college football at Rice while amassing 197 total tackles and 11 sacks. In 2007 He earned Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News and C-USA Honors. Received numerous athletic and academic awards during His time at Rice University. Named to the ESPN Academic All-District VI Football Team in 2010, after posting a 3.41 GPA while majoring in Economics. One of 30 student-athletes in the country selected for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. Named to the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award 2nd Team and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in 2010, also named to the Commissioners Honor Roll each year at Rice.[2] As a senior at Rice University, he received the Outstanding Senior Award presented by the Rice Student Association for service, leadership, and academic achievement.[3]

Professional career

Houston Texans

He was drafted with the last pick in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, making him Mr. Irrelevant.[4] On August 15, 2011 he made his first appearance in an NFL preseason game against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

Chicago Bears

On April 11, 2012, Ozougwu signed with the Bears.[5] During his preseason debut against the Denver Broncos, Ozougwu sacked former Bear Caleb Hanie, though the Broncos would go on to win 31-3.[6] Ozougwu had an impressive preseason by leading the Bears in sacks during the 2012 preseason with three making the 53 man roster.[7] On April 15, 2014, Ozougwu was waived.[8] He appeared in nine games over the past two seasons, recording 9 tackles, one sack, one tackle-for-loss, one forced fumble and five special teams tackles. Ozougwu registered 6 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble during the 2013 season.[9]

New Orleans Saints

On May 18, 2014, Ozougwu signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints.[10] On July 23, 2014 the Saints placed Ozougwu on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.[11] In March 2015, the Saints decided to part ways with Ozougwu after he failed his season ending physical with an undisclosed injury.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Cheta Ozougwu Bio". Riceowls.com.
  2. ↑ "Cheta Ozougwu Bio". Riceowls.com.
  3. ↑ "Award Winners 2011". http://studentactivities.rice.edu/awards/#senior. External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ↑ "Cheta Ozougwu is your "Mr. Irrelevant" | ProFootballTalk". Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  5. ↑ "Bears sign trio of defensive linemen". Chicagobears.com. 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  6. ↑ "Larry's Bears vs. Broncos blog". Chicagobears.com. 2012-08-09. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  7. ↑ Jensen, Sean. "Thursday's preseason result: Bears 28, Browns 20". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  8. ↑ Wilkening, Mike (2014-04-15). "Bears waive Cheta Ozougwu". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  9. ↑ "Bears waive defensive end Ozougwu". Chicagobears.com. 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  10. ↑ "Saints sign Number 1 pick". Neworleansadvocate.com. 2014-05-11. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  11. ↑ "New Orleans Saints Place Cheta Ozougwu on Injured Reserve". nola.com. 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  12. ↑ . NOLA http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/02/new_orleans_saints_waive_lineb_2.html. Retrieved 2015-02-05. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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