Odafe Jayson Oweh Bio
Odafe Jayson Oweh (born December 15, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League. The Hackensack, New Jersey native played college football at Penn State University before being selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Oweh has established himself as a disruptive pass rusher in the NFL, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in his debut season and continuing to develop into a productive edge defender across his first several professional seasons.
Early Life and Background
Odafe Jayson Oweh was born on December 15, 1998, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Of Nigerian descent, Oweh attended Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, where he developed into a highly regarded football prospect. During his time at Blair Academy, he formed a close friendship with fellow defensive end David Ojabo, who would later become his teammate at the collegiate level. Oweh was selected to play in the prestigious 2018 Under Armour All-America Game, showcasing his talents among the nation’s top high school players.
His exceptional performance at the high school level earned him recognition from multiple major college programs. After considering several offers, Oweh ultimately decided to continue his football career at Penn State University, joining the Nittany Lions program known for producing NFL defensive talent.
Path to the NFL
Oweh arrived at Penn State in 2018 as a highly-touted recruit with significant potential. He appeared in four games as a true freshman, recording two sacks while adjusting to the speed and complexity of college football. His raw athleticism was evident, but his development was still in its early stages. The coaching staff saw his potential as a future anchor of their defensive line.
His sophomore season in 2019 showed marked improvement as he appeared in 13 games with one start, compiling 21 tackles and five sacks. This production demonstrated his growing comfort with the college level and his increasing ability to affect opposing quarterbacks. The experience gained during this season proved invaluable for his development as a pass rusher.
The 2020 season represented Oweh’s breakthrough campaign at Penn State. He recorded 38 total tackles including seven tackles for loss, showcasing his ability to both pressure the quarterback and stop the run. His standout performance earned him First-team All-Big Ten honors, validating his status as one of the top defensive ends in college football. Following this impressive season, Oweh declared for the 2021 NFL Draft where he was projected as a first-round pick.
Odafe Jayson Oweh Career
Rookie Season (2021)
Oweh was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round with the 31st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The selection came via a trade the Ravens made with the Kansas City Chiefs, acquiring the pick in exchange for offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Upon being drafted, Oweh announced he would go by his first name Odafe rather than his middle name Jayson, which he had used during college to help fans with pronunciation. He signed his four-year rookie contract worth $12.6 million on June 10, 2021.
In just his second career game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Oweh recorded his first career forced fumble and recovery against running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The turnover came late in the fourth quarter and helped seal a 36-35 victory for the Ravens. He was named defensive player of the week for his performance, which included three tackles, a tackle for loss, the forced fumble, and the fumble recovery. He also recorded a quarterback hit on Patrick Mahomes that led to an interception by teammate Tavon Young. Though he missed the final two weeks of the season due to injury, Oweh finished his rookie year with 33 total tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a pass breakup, earning him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Development Years (2022–2024)
The 2022 season saw Oweh continue his development as a starting-caliber defender. In Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills, he forced a fumble recovered by teammate Marcus Williams and also recorded a sack on Josh Allen, though the Ravens fell 20-23. He appeared in 17 games with six starts, finishing the season with 43 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
In the 2023 season, Oweh appeared in 13 games with five starts. He finished fourth on the team with five sacks while also recording 23 tackles and two forced fumbles, demonstrating his ability to contribute consistently even in a rotational role. The 2024 season marked his most productive year statistically as he appeared in 17 games with 10 starts. He recorded 10 sacks along with 39 combined tackles and one forced fumble, showing significant growth as a pass rusher. The Ravens exercised the fifth-year option on his contract in April 2024, reflecting their confidence in his development.
Los Angeles Chargers (2025–present)
On October 7, 2025, Oweh was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman and draft compensation. The move represented a new chapter in Oweh’s career as he joined a Chargers defense looking to bolster their pass rush. He appeared in five games with two starts for Los Angeles during the remainder of the 2025 season, recording 10 combined tackles in limited action.
Playing Style and Strengths
Oweh is known for his exceptional speed and athleticism off the edge, using his 6-foot-5 frame to threaten offensive tackles with his quick first step. His primary strength lies in his ability to collapse the pocket and pressure quarterbacks, though he has also shown improvement against the run. His length allows him to disengage from blocks and make plays in the backfield. The Ravens utilized him in various alignments, and he has demonstrated the versatility to play both as a traditional defensive end and in wider techniques.
Notable Events and Milestones
His forced fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs in just his second career game stands as one of the defining moments of his early career, helping secure a dramatic comeback victory. Earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors validated his selection as a first-round pick and established him among the league’s top first-year defenders. His steady improvement in sack production from five as a rookie to 10 in 2024 demonstrates his growth as a complete defender.
Odafe Jayson Oweh Career Wins
Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, Oweh has established himself as a productive pass rusher with significant contributions in the backfield. His ability to force turnovers has been a consistent element of his game, with multiple forced fumbles throughout his career.
NFL Highlights
Through five professional seasons, Oweh has recorded 176 total tackles, 30.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. His rookie season provided an early glimpse of his turnover-creating ability with three forced fumbles. His most productive sack season came in 2024 with 10 sacks, while his 2023 season saw him record five sacks despite limited starting appearances. He has accumulated his 30.5 career sacks while playing for the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers.
College Highlights
Prior to his NFL career, Oweh demonstrated his pass-rushing potential at Penn State. He recorded two sacks as a freshman in four games, five sacks as a sophomore in 13 games, and 38 tackles with seven tackles for loss during his All-Big Ten junior season in 2020.
| Competition Level | Games | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2021–2025) | 72 | 176 | 30.5 | 7 |
| College (2018–2020) | 30 | 61 | 9 | 0 |
Odafe Jayson Oweh Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While detailed family information is not extensively available in public sources, Oweh’s athletic family includes his younger brother Otega Oweh, who has pursued basketball professionally.
Personal Life
Oweh’s brother, Otega Oweh, plays in the National Basketball Association as a guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The brothers have taken different athletic paths, with Odafe choosing football while Otega pursued basketball at the collegiate level before reaching the NBA. Odafe’s Nigerian heritage has been mentioned as part of his background, reflecting his family’s roots.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant transition for Oweh. He began the year with the Baltimore Ravens where he appeared in limited action through the early portion of the season. The mid-season trade to the Los Angeles Chargers on October 7, 2025, brought him to a new defensive system and team. He appeared in five games with two starts for his new team, recording 10 combined tackles during his limited appearances. The move to Los Angeles provided a fresh start, though his role was reduced compared to his 10-start 2024 season with Baltimore. Oweh enters the next phase of his career with the Chargers looking to reclaim a more significant role in their defensive front.