Tag: Adetokunbo Ogundeji

HC Mike Tomlin offers inspirational wisdom to practice squad

Mike Tomlin is doing his best scouting within his own team’s practice squad—looking for the next batch of elevations to rush the passer.

Injuries have hit both sides of the ball hard for Pittsburgh. With Alex Highsmith out with a groin injury until at least Week 7, and Nick Herbig recently suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5, the depth at outside linebacker/edge rusher is looking grim.

While some free agency signings are expected, Mike Tomlin is more focused on inspiring the next group of practice squad members who can earn their way onto the game day roster.

One such practice squad member, outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji, shared that Tomlin has offered motivating words to the group: “We’re not just here to stay on the practice squad. We’re here to try and get up and play.”

https://twitter.com/Aaron_M_Becker/status/1844119538700517513

A team that preaches accountability from its practice squad to its starters is a team fans can take pride in. However, Tomlin’s ‘encouraging’ words will need to carry more weight, as the Steelers, coming off back-to-back losses, cannot afford to lose a third game with the AFC North race tightening.

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Mykal Walker, Ade Ogundeji questionable to return vs. Bucs

#Falcons injury update: Mykal Walker (groin) and Ade Ogundeji (shoulder) are questionable to return vs. the Buccaneers.

The Falcons may have lost starting inside linebacker Mykal Walker for the game after he injured his groin against the Buccaneers Sunday. Walker is officially questionable to return.

Walker wasn’t the only Falcons player to go down, however. Outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji injured his shoulder in the third quarter and is also questionable to return.

The Falcons are trailing by 21 points to the Buccaneers in the third quarter.

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Falcons 2021 draft profile: EDGE Adetokunbo Ogundeji

The Atlanta Falcons needed a pass rusher in this draft to add to the rotation and Adetokunbo Ogundeji was their attempt at filling the role. Atlanta will utilize Ogundeji in both an outside linebacker and defensive end role playing in Dean Pees’ multiple defensive scheme.

The Atlanta Falcons needed a pass rusher in this draft to add to the rotation and Adetokunbo Ogundeji was their attempt at filling this role. Atlanta will utilize Ogundeji in both an outside linebacker and defensive end role playing in Dean Pees’ multiple defensive scheme.

Athletic Testing and Comparison

Stats and Awards

2020: 12 Games Played, 23 Tackles, 7.0 Tackles for Loss, 7.0 Sacks, 7 QB Hurries, 1 Fumble Forced, All-ACC Honorable Mention

2019: 13 Games Played, 34 Tackles, 7.0 Tackles for Loss, 4.5 Sacks, 5 QB Hurries, 3 Fumbles Forced, 1 Fumble Recovered, 1 Defensive Touchdown

2018: 13 Games Played, 24 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.5 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 2 Fumbles Forced, 1 Pass Deflection

2017: 5 Games Played

2016: Redshirted

Highlights vs. Boston College

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWuOrP8HtYU

How does Ogundeji fit on the field?

Adetokunbo Ogundeji is one of the better edge defenders in the college ranks. He should fit right into the Falcons’ rotation with Dante Fowler, Barkevious Mingo, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and Steven Means. He’ll be able to help the Falcons as a linebacker for their three man fronts or as a defensive end in their four man fronts and gives them more multiplicity.

As a run stuffer, Ogundeji can stuff the run effectively. He sets the edge efficiently as a linebacker or with his hand in the dirt. He rarely gets fooled when there’s a play-action towards his side, and when the play goes the other direction, he handles the back-end of the play well and doesn’t get sucked into the play-flow like other linebackers and ends would.

As a pass rusher, Ogundeji is one of the more polished players in the class. He needs to improve his hand usage and technique, but he can burst off the ball and understands how to time the snap properly to get to the quarterback. Ogundeji will force teams to focus on him and has the potential to be a great pass rusher in the NFL if he puts it all together.

How does Ogundeji fit off the field?

Ogundeji was a captain for the 2020 Fighting Irish squad and was a vocal leader. The Falcons have a leadership void on that side of the ball and they have addressed it in this draft by adding captains like Ogundeji. He’s a great teammate as proven by being voted captain on one of the most prestigious college football programs in the country.

Why Ogundeji over Shaka Toney or Quincy Roche?

The Falcons could have gone with either one of those guys and filled their need for a pass rusher. However, they decided to go with Ogundeji for his length and overall athletic profile making more sense for a Dean Pees’ defense than the other two. Ogundeji also plays the run better and since he could be a starter potentially, this aspect of his game is just as important.

Overview

NFL Stylistic Comparison/Best Case Scenario: Pernell McPhee

Pernell McPhee was never one of the biggest sack producers in the NFL, but he was always a good pressure creator capable of stuffing the run. Atlanta would love it if Ogundeji could be the same kind of player — someone who maxes out around seven sacks in a season, but is highly productive because he understands and fits the scheme so well. McPhee also played for Pees.

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Report: Saints schedule meeting with Notre Dame pass rusher Adetokunbo Ogundeji

The New Orleans Saints have scheduled a meeting with Notre Dame defensive end Adetokunbo Ogundeji, a still-rising 2021 NFL draft prospect.

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One 2021 draft prospect who helped his case at this year’s Senior Bowl was Adetokunbo Ogundeji, a defensive end out of Notre Dame who impressed in practices leading up to the annual all-star game. The Spun’s Chris Rosvoglou reports that Ogundeji has scheduled a virtual meeting with the New Orleans Saints. The Draft Network’s Justin Melo adds that, for now, this is Ogundeji’s only follow-up interview after contacting all 32 teams at the Senior Bowl in January.

Ogundeji was an early star at Senior Bowl weigh-ins, where he measured in at 6-foot-4 and 256 pounds with 35 1/4-inch arms, nailing the physical prototype the Saints have shown a liking for in their defensive ends. Much like Marcus Davenport and Trey Hendrickson, he could continue to add on muscle at the next level.

He improved each year he played at Notre Dame, finishing his college career with 71 tackles (38 solo, 15 tackles for loss) and 10.5 sacks in 30 games played. Ogundeji is considered a viable second-day prospect in rounds two or three.

And it makes sense for New Orleans to put him on their radar. They could lose their sacks leader in free agency, where Hendrickson should command plenty of interest despite his status as a one-year wonder. Davenport is flirting with the draft bust label after three inconsistent, injury-plagued seasons to start his career.

That leaves annual Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan and ascendant reserve Carl Granderson (who Pro Football Focus credited with 19 pressures, including 5 sacks, in 2020) as the only players the Saints can really hang their hat on at defensive end, which isn’t good enough.

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Notre Dame players official Senior Bowl measurements

Here is how the six Notre Dame players measured out this week, all of whom will be playing for the National team in Saturday’s game. 

The annual Senior Bowl takes place this weekend, with kickoff between the American and National coming at 2:30 p.m. ET and can be viewed live on NFL Network.

Last year saw four players from the Senior Bowl selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

Notre Dame has six players participating in this year’s Senior Bowl and although it’s unlikely that any of those six will have their name called in the first round, the majority will have their name called at some point.

Here is how the six Notre Dame players measured out this week, all of whom will be playing for the National team in Saturday’s game.

Watch: Ben Skowronek Speaks Ahead of Senior Bowl

This past season was kind to Ben Skowronek. All it took was a move from Northwestern to Notre Dame for his true potential to be unleashed.

This past season was kind to Ben Skowronek. All it took was a move from Northwestern to Notre Dame for his true potential to be unleashed. Now, he’s getting ready to play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 30 in Mobile, Alabama. He took some time to speak with WPTA-TV, the ABC affiliate in his hometown of Fort Wayne:

That’s some pretty elite company praising and helping Skowronek. Clearly, they think he has serious potential to succeed at the next level. That will be a nice asset during an NFL Scouting Combine that will be drastically different from years past. It only adds to what’s always a serious challenge for NFL hopefuls.

Skowronek is one of seven Notre Dame players in this year’s Senior Bowl. Rounding out that list are Ian Book, Liam Eichenberg, Robert Hainsey, Aaron Banks, Daelin Hayes and Adetokunbo Ogundeji.

Rose Bowl and CFP Semifinal: Fourth-Quarter Analysis

Most people who love to hate Notre Dame won’t admit it, but the Irish did as well as they could against Alabama.

Most people who love to hate Notre Dame won’t admit it, but the Irish did as well as they could against Alabama. The outcome for the Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff Semifinal was far from unexpected. One team simply had too much talent compared to not only this game’s opponent, but just about everyone else. So we saw Notre Dame’s memorable season come to an end with a 31-14 loss.

The Crimson Tide (12-0) approached the red zone in the early moments of the fourth quarter but couldn’t quite get there. Will Reichard salvaged the drive with a 41-yard field goal. Considering how most of this game went, it was a small victory for the Irish (10-2).

Ian Book returned after suffering an injury in the third quarter, and he led an impressive drive to give the Irish a chance at putting up another touchdown. He completed a pass to Michael Mayer in the end zone, but it was wiped by an illegal shift from Chris Tyree and George Takacs. Left with no choice but to try and get that touchdown back, Book had two chances to do so. Both of those failed on incomplete passes to Ben Skowronek and Avery Davis.

The Irish’s defense got a little pride when Jayson Ademilola and Adetokunbo Ogundeji sacked Mac Jones, who also was called for intentional grounding on the play. Since that happened on third down, it gave the offense another chance to put points on the board. Book led a pass-heavy drive and even got some help on an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from Nick Saban of all people. The drive ended in a 1-yard touchdown run from Book, so the senior can say he went out on a high note.

Surprisingly, that was not the Irish’s last time on offense. They recovered an onside kick, so Book and the other seniors on the unit got to see the field once more. If there wasn’t so little time left, another touchdown might have happened. There was just enough time for an incomplete pass towards the end zone, and that was it.

Que sera sera. That’s all that can be said. The debate on whether the Irish should have been allowed into the playoff will rage on. However, they were selected, and they had to come out and play despite the long odds.

Notre Dame 31, North Carolina 17: FIW Game Ball Winners

Who were the biggest stars in Notre Dame’s 31-17 victory at North Carolina? The Fighting Irish Wire staff has spoken with their game balls.

When you play as well as Notre Dame did against North Carolina on Friday you have plenty of players worthy of praise and it makes handing out the game balls after a decisive victory that much more difficult.

That said, the Fighting Irish Wire staff has compiled theirs from Friday’s victory, which is Notre Dame’s 15th straight dating back to late October of last year.

So who gets the awards for being the biggest stars in the Notre Dame win?

Here is who the Fighting Irish Wire staff decided, starting with Geoffrey Clark:

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Notre Dame vs. Clemson: Overtime Analysis

When you root for a team, there are moments when it does the unthinkable, and you have no choice but to participate in the exhilaration.

When you root for a team, there are moments when it does the unthinkable, and you have no choice but to participate in the exhilaration. Saturday was one of those moments as Notre Dame upset top-ranked Clemson, 47-40, in double overtime. It’s possible the Irish (7-0, 6-0) will face the Tigers (7-1, 6-1) again in the ACC title game next month, and Trevor Lawrence surely will be suiting up this time. But this time of celebration is not the time to think about that.

At the start of the first overtime, the Tigers decided giving the Irish any breathing room was a chance they couldn’t take. On the very first play, D.J. Uiagalelei successfully executed a play-action pass and found Cornell Powell for what appeared to be a 25-yard touchdown. A lengthy replay review (and there were a lot of them in this game) ruled Powell down at the half-yard line, but it didn’t matter because Uiagalelei promptly took the ball into the end zone himself.

When the Irish got their turn with the ball, Ian Book found Michael Mayer for a 15-yard completion, putting them in good position. Two plays later, Kyren Williams ran 3 yards for the game-tying touchdown. To a second overtime we went.

The Irish got the ball first this time and had a little bit of difficulty at first. But Book’s 10-yard completion to Ben Skowronek set the Irish up at the Tigers’ 3-yard line. Williams was in the end zone two plays later, so the defense needed to do its part.

What followed ensured that Adetokunbo Ogundeji will be a legend in South Bend forevermore. He sacked Uiagalelei on back-to-back plays, getting help from Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah the first time around. The moment Nick McCloud recovered a fumble when the Tigers absolutely needed a first down to stay alive, bedlam erupted at Notre Dame Stadium. There’s no reason it shouldn’t have either.

This is a moment to celebrate. The criticism that Notre Dame can’t show up when the stakes are raised has been vanquished. It took long enough, but we’ve finally arrived. The future has arrived, and it’s a bright one.

Notre Dame vs. Duke: Fourth-Quarter Analysis

There’s no doubt this game was torture for a lot of people.

There’s no doubt this game was torture for a lot of people. When was Notre Dame going to look like the national-title contender it’s supposed to be? We need a little more time to see that in earnest. Regardless, the Irish will take their 27-13 season-opening win over Duke.

Notre Dame (1-0, 1-0) continued its drive from the end of the third quarter by mainly going to the ground game that worked so well. Then, Ian Book hit Kyren Williams for an 18-yard completion that got the Irish into the red zone. After two incomplete passes, Book hit Avery Davis in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown pass that could have been caught by him or Blue Devils safety Michael Carter II.

Duke (0-1, 0-1) couldn’t get anything going on its ensuing possession, and the Irish moved again upon getting the ball back. Chris Tyree ran 25 yards on the drive’s first play, and Book hit Michael Mayer for 14 yards to get into Blue Devils territory. That set up a 34-yard field goal for Jonathan Doerer, the game’s final score. As the cherry on top of the victory, Adetokunbo Ogundeji recovered a fumble after a sack on Chase Brice that ended Duke’s final drive.

If Notre Dame wants to beat Clemson later in the season, it will have to do a little better than what it showed Saturday. It came out flat but slowly found its footing on both sides of the ball. Hopefully, that can be chalked up to opening-day jitters more than anything else. Regardless, it’s a good beginning to a season with high expectations.