Ifeatu Melifonwu

Ifeatu Melifonwu
No. 26 – Miami Dolphins
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1999-05-02) May 2, 1999
Grafton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Grafton
College:Syracuse (2017–2020)
NFL draft:2021: 3rd round, 101st pick
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles:72
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:2
Sacks:4.5
Pass deflections:13
Interceptions:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ifeatu Christian-David Melifonwu // ⓘ (born May 2, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Early life

Melifonwu attended Grafton High School in Grafton, Massachusetts. He played defensive back, running back and wide receiver in high school. A standout athlete, Melifonwu also played basketball, ran track, and even played a year of lacrosse. Melifonwu committed to Syracuse University to play college football.[1][2] He is of Nigerian descent.[3]

College career

Melifonwu played at Syracuse from 2017 to 2020. After redshirting his first year in 2017, he played in 29 games over the next three seasons. He finished his career with 88 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. After his junior season in 2020, he declared for the 2021 NFL draft.[4][5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄2 in
(1.89 m) 		205 lb
(93 kg) 		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m) 		8+7⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.48 s 1.48 s 2.57 s 4.36 s 7.01 s 41.5 in
(1.05 m)		 11 ft 2 in
(3.40 m)		 16 reps
All values from Pro Day[6][7][8][9]

Detroit Lions

Melifonwu was drafted in the third round, 101st overall, by the Detroit Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft.[10] Melifonwu signed his four-year rookie contract with Detroit on July 23, 2021.[11]

On September 22, 2021, Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve after suffering a thigh injury in Week 2.[12] He was activated on November 29. On June 1, 2022, Melifonwu started snaps as both a cornerback and a safety.[13]

On December 24, 2023, Melifonwu intercepted a pass from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens to end the game, clinching the Lions' first division title since 1993, and the first NFC North title for the Lions.[14]

In the 2024 NFL Season Melifonwu suffered an ankle injury during training camp. He was placed on IR. Mid-season when the Lions opened his 21-day practice window he dislocated his finger keeping him out for another month. He was able to return at the end of the season and impact his team. In week 16 against the Bears he knocked down a pass on 4th down.[15]

Miami Dolphins

On March 13, 2025, Melifonwu signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.[16][17]

Personal life

His brother, Obi Melifonwu, is also a football player.[18][19]

References

  1. ^ Parello, Joe (July 3, 2016). "Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu verbally commits to Syracuse". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Bailey, Stephen (July 3, 2016). "2017 Massachusetts DB Ifeatu Melifonwu commits to SU". New York Upstate. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Rogers, Justin (April 30, 2021). "Lions close out Day 2 of draft with Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  4. ^ Carlson, Chris (December 18, 2020). "Syracuse football's Ifeatu Melifonwu declares early for NFL Draft". syracuse.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "Syracuse's Ifeatu Melifonwu of Grafton declares for NFL Draft". Worcester Telegram. December 18, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  6. ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Ifeatu Melifonwu Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  7. ^ "Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse, CB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "Detroit Lions select Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu with No. 101 pick in 2021 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "Ifeatu Melifonwu 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  10. ^ Birkett, Dave (April 30, 2021). "Detroit Lions take Ifeatu Melifonwu, athletic Syrcause CB, in Round 3 of 2021 NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  11. ^ Links, Zachary (July 23, 2021). "NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/23/21". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  12. ^ Reisman, Jeremy (September 22, 2021). "Lions place Ifeatu Melifonwu on IR, sign Daryl Worley from practice squad". Pride Of Detroit. SB Nation. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  13. ^ Chirco, Vito (June 1, 2022). "Ifeatu Melifonwu Reacts to Playing Safety". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  14. ^ "Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Snags game-clinching interception". CBS Sports. CBS. December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  15. ^ Twentyman, Tim (January 9, 2025). "After 'frustrating' start to season, Melifonwu looking to finish strong". Detroit Lions. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  16. ^ "Dolphins add ex-Lions S Melifonwu on $4M deal". ESPN.com. March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  17. ^ "Dolphins Sign Melifonwu". Miami Dolphins. March 13, 2025.
  18. ^ "Will Grafton see two Melifonwu brothers in the NFL next year?". Grafton Common. January 5, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  19. ^ Mink, Nate (March 8, 2018). "SU football CB hopes to follow in NFL brother's footsteps (video)". syracuse.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
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