Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim Bio
Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim (born May 21, 2001) is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels from 2019 to 2023 and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round (239th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. Ezirim transitioned from defensive end to offensive tackle during his college career and earned third-team FCS All-American honors as a senior in 2023. He joined the Dallas Renegades in January 2026 following his time with the Saints organization.
Early Life and Background
Ezirim was born on May 21, 2001, in Hilliard, Ohio, and grew up in that community as the oldest of four children. His father was a Nigerian immigrant who played collegiate soccer for the Ohio State Buckeyes and later pursued a professional soccer career. This athletic background provided Ezirim with an early introduction to competitive sports. He began playing flag football at age five and also participated in soccer and basketball during his youth, helping him develop coordination and teamwork skills that would later benefit his football career.
Ezirim attended Hilliard Davidson High School, where he played as a defensive lineman and earned two varsity letters. As a junior in 2017, he recorded 39 tackles and three sacks at defensive end. During his senior season in 2018, he improved his production significantly, compiling 67 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble while playing nose tackle. His defensive performance earned him all-conference honors and helped Hilliard Davidson capture the conference championship. Beyond football, Ezirim was also a member of the track and field team, competing in shot put, discus throw, sprinting events, and relays.
Path to American Football
Despite his success as a defensive player in high school, Ezirim entered college as a defensive end. He was rated as a three-star recruit and originally committed to play for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, selecting Eastern Kentucky over offers from larger programs including the Cincinnati Bearcats. Reportedly, he initially had reservations about playing offensive line and wanted assurance he would not be moved to that position. He enrolled at Eastern Kentucky in 2019 and briefly joined the school\’s indoor track team during his freshman year.
Ezirim played primarily on defense during his first two seasons with Eastern Kentucky, appearing in 10 games as a true freshman in 2019 and recording three tackles, then playing in six games in 2020 with nine tackles. He totaled just 12 tackles with no starts across those two seasons. Prior to the 2021 season, coaches suggested that Ezirim might find better opportunities if he transitioned to the offensive line. Given his limited defensive production, he accepted the position change and began working as a backup offensive tackle that year.
Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim Career
Eastern Kentucky Colonels (2019–2023)
Ezirim transitioned to right tackle and quickly established himself as a key contributor on the Eastern Kentucky offensive line. He appeared in five games as a backup during the 2021 season following his position change. Over his final two seasons, he became one of the top offensive tackles in the FCS division. In 2022, he started all 12 games and earned fourth-team All-ASUN honors. His breakthrough campaign came in 2023 when he started 11 games and was named first-team All-United Athletic Conference (UAC) while also earning third-team FCS All-American recognition from the Associated Press.
His senior season performance earned him invitations to prestigious postseason events, including the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. These opportunities allowed him to showcase his abilities against top prospects from across the country and increased his visibility among NFL teams heading into the 2024 draft.
New Orleans Saints (2024–2025)
Ezirim was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round with the 239th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He joined the Saints as a developmental prospect at offensive tackle, a position where his size and length provided upside potential. After being waived during final roster cuts in August 2024, he was re-signed to the team\’s practice squad where he continued developing behind veteran offensive linemen. He remained on the practice squad for the remainder of the 2024 season, learning the professional playbook and adapting to the speed and complexity of NFL competition.
Ezirim signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints in January 2025, indicating the team\’s interest in retaining him for the following season. He competed for a spot on the 53-man roster during the 2025 offseason and training camp. However, he was waived by the Saints in late August 2025 as part of final roster reductions. His time with the Saints organization concluded after two seasons, during which he gained valuable NFL experience despite limited game action.
Dallas Renegades (2026–Present)
In January 2026, Ezirim was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the UFL Draft, marking a new chapter in his professional career with the spring professional football league. The move to the Renegades provided him with an opportunity to play actual game snaps at a professional level, something he had not yet achieved in his NFL career. He joined an offensive line unit looking to rebuild after roster changes, and his experience from NFL training camps positioned him as a candidate for a starting or rotational role at offensive tackle.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ezirim brings impressive physical tools to the offensive tackle position, standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 328 pounds. His height and length allow him to engage defenders at the edge and protect the quarterback\’s blindside. He demonstrated positional versatility during his college career, having played both defensive end and offensive tackle at the collegiate level. His background in track and field, particularly in throwing events, suggests lower-body strength and explosion that translate to the trenches. The coaching staff saw enough potential in his tools to draft him in the NFL and later selected him for the Renegades\’ offensive line rebuild.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ezirim\’s journey to professional football includes several notable accomplishments that highlighted his development. Earning third-team FCS All-American honors as a senior at Eastern Kentucky represented the peak of his collegiate career and demonstrated he could compete at a high level against top competition. His invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine validated his status among the nation\’s top prospects at his position. The transition from being a seventh-round draft pick to joining the Renegades gave him a fresh start in a league where he could immediately contribute on the field.
Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim Career Honors
Ezirim achieved notable recognition during his collegiate career at Eastern Kentucky, earning multiple All-Conference honors and All-American distinction. His senior season in 2023 represented his most successful year, with recognition from both conference voters and national selectors.
College Highlights
His most decorated season came in 2023 when Ezirim was named first-team All-United Athletic Conference (UAC) and third-team FCS All-American by the Associated Press. In 2022, he earned fourth-team All-ASUN honors after starting all 12 games at right tackle. Prior to his collegiate career, he was named all-conference during his senior year at Hilliard Davidson High School and helped the school win a conference championship.
Additional Honors
Beyond his All-Conference and All-American honors, Ezirim received invitations to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine following his 2023 season, opportunities reserved for the top senior prospects in college football.
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Third-team FCS All-American | 2023 |
| First-team All-UAC | 2023 |
| Fourth-team All-ASUN | 2022 |
Family
Family Background
Ezirim comes from an athletic family with international roots. His father immigrated from Nigeria to the United States and played collegiate soccer for the Ohio State Buckeyes before pursuing a professional soccer career. This soccer background influenced Ezirim\’s early sports participation, as he played flag football starting at age five and also competed in soccer and basketball during his youth. His father\’s athletic experience and success at the collegiate and professional levels provided a model for pursuing sports at a high level. As the oldest of four children, Ezirim grew up in a busy household in Hilliard, Ohio.
Personal Life
Ezirim attended Hilliard Davidson High School in his hometown before moving on to play college football at Eastern Kentucky University. He maintains an active presence on social media, with an Instagram account where he connects with fans. Following the conclusion of his collegiate career and beginning his professional football journey, he has continued to build upon his athletic career across multiple organizations including the Saints and Renegades.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a pivotal year in Ezirim\’s young professional career. After signing a reserve/future contract with the Saints in January, he entered training camp with an opportunity to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The Saints offensive line featured experienced players ahead of him on the depth chart, making consistent performance in practice essential for advancement. Throughout the offseason program and training camp, Ezirim worked to refine his technique and learn the professional playbook at the tackle position.
His competitive performance in camp put him in consideration for a roster spot as the Saints evaluated their final roster decisions in late August. Despite his developmental progress, the Saints ultimately waived Ezirim as part of their roster reductions. The decision reflected the challenging nature of making an NFL roster with limited draft capital and experience. His waiver created an opportunity to sign with another organization, ultimately leading to his selection by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft.