UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa will join the New York Giants after being selected with the No. 74 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He is one of several Bruins considered a high-level prospect in this year's class.
NFL Draft picks 2015: Owamagbe Odighizuwa selected by Giants in 3rd round
The rangy defensive end is headed to New York.
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Besides having the most complicated name in the draft, Odighizuwa also possesses one of the highest ceilings of any of the top prospects. He is well built at 6’3, 267 pounds with a chiseled physique. Odighizuwa has long, 33 3/4” arms and huge paws measured at 11”. Those traits allow him to get in the way of passes; he knocked down eight over his last two seasons.
Odighizuwa is also scheme versatile. His athleticism and ability to play in space make him a strong fit at 3-4 outside linebacker as well as 4-3 defensive end. Teams with more creative defensive coordinators will find ways to exploit his versatility at the next level.
While Odighizuwa has the physical tools to become a dominant player in the NFL, he never developed into a consistent pass rusher at UCLA. When blockers adjust to his speed, Odighizuwa doesn’t have a counter move to adjust back. He also has a significant injury history, losing the entire 2013 season to multiple hip surgeries.
Still, Odighizuwa’s combine numbers offer promise. He was one of the top performers in his position group in the 40-yard dash (4.62 seconds), vertical leap (39”), broad jump (127”), 20-yard shuttle (4.19 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (11.75 seconds).
Odighizuwa was a full-time starter for only one season at UCLA, but he saw action in every game he was eligible for outside of his injury-redshirted 2013 campaign. He racked up 136 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks for his career.
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