Jeff Okudah

Jeffrey Chidera Okudah (born February 2, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2019 before being selected by the Detroit Lions with the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Okudah has also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, and Minnesota Vikings in his career.

Early life Okudah was born in Grand Prairie, Texas to Nigerian parents. He attended South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas. A five-star recruit, he committed to Ohio State University in January 2017.

College career As a true freshman at Ohio State in 2017, Okudah played in all 14 games and had 17 tackles. As a sophomore in 2018, he played in 13 games, recording 32 tackles. As a junior in 2019, he recorded his first career interception against the Miami Redhawks. As a junior in 2019, Okudah had 34 tackles, 9 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions. For his performance that season, he was unanimously named to the 2019 College Football All-America Team and was also named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Okudah decided to forgo his senior year by declaring for the 2020 NFL draft.

Professional career

Okudah playing against the Washington Football Team in 2020.

Detroit Lions Okudah was considered to be the best cornerback prospect in the 2020 NFL draft, where he was selected third overall by the Detroit Lions. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on July 13, 2020. The contract was worth a fully guaranteed $33.528 million, including a $21.944 million signing bonus. He suffered a hamstring injury during training camp and missed the opening season game. He returned in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, where he allowed three completions for 4 yards. The following week, he recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Okudah was placed on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to resolve a core muscle injury on December 15.

During the Lions' 2021 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, Okudah ruptured his Achilles tendon and was placed on injured reserve.

Okudah was named a starter to start the Lions’ 2022 season, however towards the end of the season Okudah saw less playing time and was eventually benched. He did not see any action in the Week 18 game against the Green Bay Packers.

Atlanta Falcons Okudah was traded to the Atlanta Falcons on April 13, 2023, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Houston Texans On March 15, 2024, Okudah signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans. He was placed on injured reserve on September 11. He was activated on November 18.

Minnesota Vikings On March 18, 2025, Okudah signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He was placed on injured reserve on November 8, due to a concussion he suffered in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD 2020 DET 9 6 47 41 6 0.0 4 2 1 36 36.0 36 0 0 0 0 0 2021 DET 1 1 4 3 1 0.0 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2022 DET 15 15 73 59 14 0.0 2 7 1 20 20.0 20 1 1 0 0 0 2023 ATL 13 9 44 34 10 0.0 1 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2024 HOU 6 0 9 8 1 0.0 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2025 MIN 6 0 14 12 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Career 50 31 191 157 34 0.0 7 14 2 56 28.0 36 1 1 1 0 0

Postseason Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD 2024 HOU 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0