Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji Bio
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji (born October 9, 1998) is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 182nd overall pick. Ogundeji appeared in 32 games across three seasons with the Falcons before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 season. Following his playing career, he transitioned to coaching as the assistant defensive line coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Early Life and Background
Ogundeji was born and raised in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He did not begin playing football until his freshman year at Walled Lake Central High School in Commerce Township, Michigan, showing a relatively late start to the sport compared to many future professional players. Despite this late introduction to football, he quickly developed as a pass-rusher and defensive playmaker during his high school career.
As a junior at Walled Lake Central, Ogundeji recorded 68 tackles, nine sacks, 17 pass breakups, and four fumble recoveries, demonstrating his ability to impact games in multiple ways. His strong performance attracted attention from college programs, and he originally committed to play at Western Michigan. However, after receiving more significant recruitment interest from larger programs, he de-committed from Western Michigan and ultimately signed to continue his football career at the University of Notre Dame.
Path to Professional Football
Ogundeji arrived at Notre Dame in 2016 and spent his freshman season on the scout team, focusing on development without appearing in any games. His sophomore year saw limited playing time as he continued to adjust to the collegiate level. The breakthrough came during his junior season in 2018 when he began receiving significant game repetitions. He finished that year with 25 total tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, establishing himself as a productive member of the Fighting Irish defense.
His senior season in 2019 proved to be his most impactful college year. Ogundeji played in all 13 of Notre Dame’s games and recorded 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. A highlight of that season came on September 28, 2019, when he returned a fumble for a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers. He opted to return for a fifth collegiate season in 2020 and recorded seven sacks that year, finishing his Notre Dame career with a strong final campaign that helped boost his NFL draft stock.
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji Career
Atlanta Falcons (2021-2023)
Ogundeji was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 182nd overall pick. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on June 15, 2021. During his rookie season, Ogundeji appeared in 16 games and made 11 starts, showing enough versatility and consistency to earn significant playing time as a first-year player. His ability to rush the passer and defend against the run translated well to the professional level.
The 2022 season saw Ogundeji take on an expanded role, starting 16 games for the Falcons defense. His durability and reliability as a linebacker became evident as he handled the increased workload. However, the 2023 season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on August 15, 2023. He was subsequently released by the Falcons on May 16, 2024, ending his tenure with the organization that drafted him.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
Following his release from Atlanta, Ogundeji joined the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. He was signed to the Steelers practice squad on August 29, 2024, and worked to earn a spot on the active roster. His efforts paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on October 12, 2024. Ogundeji contributed to the Steelers defense during the remainder of the 2024 season before being released on December 17, 2024. He announced his retirement from professional football in July 2025, concluding his playing career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ogundeji showcased himself as a reliable and versatile linebacker during his NFL career. His 6-foot-4 frame provided him with good size for the position, while his collegiate experience at Notre Dame prepared him for the complexity of professional defenses. His strengths included pass-rushing ability, as evidenced by his seven-sack senior season in college, and his knack for creating turnovers, with multiple forced fumbles throughout his playing career. His versatility allowed him to contribute both as a starter and a rotational player.
Career Statistics and Notable Moments
Across his NFL career, Ogundeji recorded 75 total tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections. His collegiate career at Notre Dame produced more prolific statistics, with his best seasons coming in 2019 and 2020 when he combined for 11.5 sacks over those two years. The highlight of his college career was his fumble return for a touchdown against Virginia in 2019, showcasing his ability to make game-changing plays.
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji Career Statistics
Ogundeji accumulated the following statistics across his NFL and college careers. His professional tenure spanned three seasons with the Falcons and a brief stint with the Steelers, while his college career at Notre Dame produced four seasons of increasingly productive play from 2017 to 2020.
NFL Career Totals
In the National Football League, Ogundeji appeared in 32 games with 27 starts over three seasons. He recorded 75 total tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections. His rookie season established him as a contributor, and his second season showed growth with 16 starts, but injuries affected his third season before his eventual departure from the league.
College Career Highlights
At Notre Dame, Ogundeji developed from a scout-team player into a productive starter. His senior season in 2019 was his most complete, with 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. His final season in 2020 saw him record seven sacks in a more limited sample. Combined, he finished his collegiate career with consistent production that translated to NFL draft selection.
| Level | Games | Tackles | Sacks | Fumble Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2021-2024) | 32 | 75 | 3 | 1 |
| College (2016-2020) | 45+ | 66+ | 13 | 3 |
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji Family
Family Background
Ogundeji has Nigerian heritage through his father, making him part of the proud tradition of Nigerian-American athletes in professional sports. His multicultural background reflects the diversity found in American football, where players of various ethnic origins have found success at the highest levels of the sport.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Ogundeji’s journey from a late start in the sport to NFL player demonstrates his dedication and work ethic. His transition from playing to coaching at Vanderbilt represents the natural progression many former players take to remain involved in the sport they love while mentoring the next generation of athletes.
2025 Season Performance and Transition to Coaching
Following his retirement from professional football in July 2025, Ogundeji transitioned to a new chapter in his football career. He was hired as the assistant defensive line coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores, joining their coaching staff for the 2026 season. This move marked his official entry into collegiate coaching, where he will apply the knowledge and experience gained during his playing career to develop young defensive linemen at the Division I level.
Working alongside Vanderbilt’s defensive staff, Ogundeji brings firsthand NFL experience to the Commodores program. His background as a pass-rusher and his understanding of the technical aspects of defensive line play make him a valuable resource for player development. The transition from player to coach represents his continued commitment to football and his desire to give back to the sport that shaped his career.
For aspiring defensive players at Vanderbilt, Ogundeji serves as an example of how late starts can be overcome through dedication. Having not played football until high school, he developed into an NFL player through hard work and persistence. Now in his coaching role, he can share those lessons with student-athletes who may face their own obstacles on the path to success.