 Ekpre-Olomu with the Oregon Ducks in 2013 | |
| No. 25, 33 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Cornerback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1993-07-10)July 10, 1993 (age 31) Chino, California, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Chino Hills(Chino Hills, California) |
| College: | Oregon (2011–2014) |
| NFL draft: | 2015: 7th round, 241st pick |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats atPro Football Reference | |
Ifomeno Ekpre-Olomu (/ˈiːfoʊˌɛkpreɪˈoʊloʊmuː/EE-fohEK-prayOH-loh-moo; born July 10, 1993)[1] is an American former professionalfootball player who was acornerback in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theOregon Ducks and was selected by theCleveland Browns in the seventh round of the2015 NFL draft.
Ekpre-Olomu, who is ofNigerian descent, attendedChino Hills High School inChino Hills, California and played bothrunning back anddefensive back.[2] He was named to the 2010 California All-State Defensive first-team, All-Southern Section Defensive first-team and was the Sierra League MVP.[3]
Considered a four-star recruit byRivals.com, Ekpre-Olomu was listed as the No. 17cornerback in the nation in 2011.[4]
Over the course of three seasons atOregon, Ekpre-Olomu helped the Ducks to a 35–5 record with three consecutive post-seasonbowl victories. He was praised by Duck's longtime secondary coach John Neal as, "(...) the best player I've ever coached.”[5] Despite being projected as a late first-round draft selection in the2014 NFL draft, Ekpre-Olomu decided to return for his senior season at the University of Oregon to complete his degree in general social science.[6]
As atrue freshman in 2011, Ekpre-Olomu played in all 14 games while recording 34tackles for theDucks.[5]
He was named first-teamAll-Pac-12 Conference and third-teamAll-American by theAssociated Press[7] as asophomore in 2012 after starting 13 games and recording 59 tackles with fourinterceptions.
As ajunior in 2013, Ekpre-Olomu was named first-team All-Pac-12 for the second consecutive year while also earning first-team all-America status fromESPN[8] and was a second-team all-America according to no less than four organizations,[9] including the prestigiousWalter Camp Football Foundation.[10] Starting in all 13 games, he recorded 84 tackles with three interceptions.[3]
The 2014 season featured #3 Oregon against #7 Michigan State in a highly anticipated game considered to be the best non-conference match-up of the season.[11] Oregon's win over #7 Michigan State was sealed after a game-changing interception by Ekpre-Olomu. Later in the year, Ekpre-Olomu sustained a knee injury which ended his season prior to the2015 Rose Bowl, in which Oregon received the second seed for the newCollege Football Playoff.[12]Phil Steele called Ekpre-Olomu the best cornerback in theNCAA.[13]
NFL draft expertMel Kiper Jr. of ESPN rated Ekpre-Olomu as the top senior cornerback available in the2015 NFL draft. However, ananterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) he suffered in December 2014 during practice left many teams no longer interested in him.[14] Ekpre-Olomu later revealed that he had also dislocated his knee.[15] He underwent two major reconstructive surgeries, with his ACL reconstruction being much more extensive than usual. An insurance policy taken out by his family through International Specialty Insurance disability insurance program paid him $3 million.[16]
Ekpre-Olomu was selected by theCleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft.[17] He was the 241st player picked overall.[15] His injury meant that he fell at least four rounds during the draft.[16] On May 13, 2015,[15] Ekpre-Olomu signed a four-year, $2.337 million with the Browns. His contract includes a $57,300 signing bonus.[18] On July 28, 2015, the Browns said he would sit out the entire 2015 season so that he could continue to recover from his knee surgery. Head coachMike Pettine said the team knew Ekpre-Olomu was unlikely to play when they drafted him.[19] Ekpre-Olomu was waived by the Browns on April 2, 2016.[20]
On April 5, 2016, Ekpre-Olomu was claimed off waivers by theMiami Dolphins.[21] The Dolphins waived him on August 7, 2016 and placed him oninjured reserve after he injured his other knee.[22] On February 16, 2017, Ekpre-Olomu was released by the Dolphins.[23][24]
His parents Joshua and Queen Ekpre-Olomu areNigerian, and his birth name of Ifomeno means "something that fits you well."[25]