Kene Nwangwu (born February 9, 1998) is an American professional football running back who is currently a free agent of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones.[1]

College career

Nwangwu played for the Iowa State Cyclones of Iowa State University from 2016 to 2020.[2] He led the Big 12 Conference in kickoff returns and kickoff return yards in the 2016 season.[3] Due to an Achilles injury, he used a redshirt for the 2017 season.[4]

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 0+1⁄8 in
(1.83 m) 		210 lb
(95 kg) 		30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.31 s 1.45 s 2.56 s 4.25 s 6.83 s 38.0 in
(0.97 m)		 10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		 22 reps
All values from Pro Day[5][6]

Minnesota Vikings

Nwangwu was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round, 119th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.[7] On May 15, 2021, he signed his rookie contract with Minnesota, worth $4.23 million with a $752K signing bonus.[8] He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2021.[9] He was activated on October 19. His first NFL touchdown was a 98-yard kick-off return for a touchdown versus the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9, earning National Football Conference (NFC) Special Teams Player of the Week.[10] Three weeks later in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers, Nwangwu returned another kick for a touchdown, this one being 99 yards.[11][12] As a rookie, he appeared in 11 games.[13] He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.[14]

In Week 12 of the 2022 season against the New England Patriots, he had another kickoff return for a 97-yard touchdown, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[15] His 35 total kick returns in the 2022 tied with Keisean Nixon for the lead in the NFL.[16] Overall, he appeared in all 17 games in a special teams role for the Vikings in the 2022 season.[17]

On August 30, 2023, Nwangwu was placed on injured reserve.[18] He was activated on October 18.[19]

On August 27, 2024, Nwangwu was waived by the Vikings as a part of final roster cuts.[20]

New Orleans Saints

Nwangwu was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints on August 28, 2024, but was waived the next day after failing his physical.[21]

New York Jets

Nwangwu signed with the New York Jets practice squad on September 9, 2024.[22] During his debut with the team on December 1, Nwangwu returned a kick 99 yards for a touchdown in a 26–21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was promoted to the active roster on December 2.[23]

References

  1. ^ Peterson, Randy (April 29, 2021). "Peterson: Iowa State's Dylan Soehner, Kene Nwangwu hope to hear name called in NFL Draft". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  2. ^ "Kene Nwangwu College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  3. ^ "2016 Big 12 Conference Leaders". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Visser, Ben (September 26, 2018). "Iowa State's Kene Nwangwu back to his old self". TheGazette.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  5. ^ "2021 NFL Draft Scout Kene Nwangwu College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  6. ^ "Vikings Select RB Kene Nwangwu In Round 4 of the 2021 NFL Draft". Vikings.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  7. ^ Young, Lindsey; Peters, Craig; Smith, Eric (May 1, 2021). "Minnesota Vikings Round 4 Recap of 2021 NFL Draft". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Levine, Ben (May 15, 2021). "Vikings Sign Fourth-Round RB Kene Nwangwu". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  9. ^ Peters, Craig (September 1, 2021). "Vikings Claim TE Ben Ellefson & Sign 14 to Practice Squad". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  10. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 10, 2021). "Chargers QB Justin Herbert, Falcons QB Matt Ryan lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  11. ^ "Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Another kick-return touchdown". CBSSports.com. November 29, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  12. ^ Cronin, Courtney (November 28, 2021). "Vikings' Kene Nwangwu breaks loose for 99-yard kickoff return". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  13. ^ "Kene Nwangwu 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  14. ^ "2021 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  15. ^ Peters, Craig (November 24, 2022). "Kene Nwangwu's 97-yard Kick Return TD Spices Up Thanksgiving Win by Vikings". Vikings.com. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  16. ^ "2022 NFL Kick & Punt Returns". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  17. ^ "Kene Nwangwu 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  18. ^ Young, Lindsey (August 30, 2023). "Vikings Agree to Terms with Myles Gaskin & David Quessenberry, Waive Jalen Reagor". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  19. ^ Young, Lindsey (October 18, 2023). "Vikings Place Davenport on IR; Activate Nwangwu to 53-Man Roster". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  20. ^ Florio, Mike (August 28, 2024). "Saints claim RB Kene Nwangwu". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  21. ^ Gray, Darrion (August 29, 2024). "Kene Nwangwu waived due to failed physical a day after signing". Saints Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  22. ^ Smith, Alex (September 9, 2024). "Jets signing former All-Pro kick returner Kene Nwangwu to practice squad: report". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  23. ^ "Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Signs to active roster". CBSSports.com. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kene_Nwangwu
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