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Chukwuerika "Erik" Ezukanma (/ɛzuˈkɑːnmə/ ezz-oo-KAHN-mə; born January 25, 2000) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas Tech.

Early life

Ezukanma attended Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2015, as a sophomore, he was a second-team all-district selection. The next year, Ezukanma was an AP 6A first-team all-state selection and was named the District 3-6A Offensive MVP. Ezukanma finished his senior season with 37 receptions for 687 yards and nine touchdowns.

On December 20, 2017, Ezukanma signed his letter of intent for Texas Tech as a 4-star recruit.

College career

Ezukanma saw limited playing during his freshman season, appearing in only two games. He caught his first collegiate touchdown from Colt Garret in the Red Raiders' game against Lamar.

Ezukanma was added to the watch list for the Fred Biletnikoff Award in the middle of the 2020 season. On November 28, against Oklahoma State, Ezukanma finished with seven receptions for a career high 183 yards along with two touchdowns. At the end of the season, Ezukanma was named first-team All-Big 12 Conference.

Coming into the 2021 season, Ezukanma was included on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award and the Fred Biletnikoff Award. He was also selected to the preseason first-team All-Big 12. Ezukanma broke his arm in the spring prior to the season, but was able to play in the team's season opener against Houston, finishing the game with seven receptions for 179 yards. After the conclusion of the regular season, Ezukanma was named second-team All-Big 12.

On December 23, 2021, Ezukanma announced that he would declare for the NFL draft.

Statistics

Professional career

Ezukanma was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round (125 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. Ezukanma made his NFL debut in Week 18 against the New York Jets, recording his first career catch on a three–yard reception from Skylar Thompson.

He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury on September 29, 2023.

On August 27, 2024, Ezukanma was waived by the Dolphins and re-signed to the practice squad.

Personal life

Ezukanma is the son of Lawrette Ezukanma. He is one of seven siblings.

References

1. "Player Name Pronunciations". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
2. "Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech, Wide Receiver". 247 Sports. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
3. "Erik Ezukanma High School Football Stats Timber Creek (Fort Worth, TX)". Max Preps. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
4. "Erik Ezukanma Timeline Events". 247 Sports. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
5. "Texas Tech most points since '05 in 77-0 shutout over Lamar". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 8, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
6. "Two Red Raiders make Biletnikoff watch list". KAMC. June 22, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
7. Clark, Ronald (November 28, 2020). "Texas Tech's comeback falls short against Oklahoma State". KCBD. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
8. "2020 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced". Big 12 Conference. December 17, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
9. "2021 Maxwell Award Watch List". Maxwell Football Club. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
10. "2021 Fred Biletnikoff Award Watch List". Tallahassee Quarterback Club Association. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
11. "2021 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
12. "Matt Wells provides update on Erik Ezukanma's injury recovery". KAMC. July 15, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
13. "Shough, Brooks lead Texas Tech to 38-21 win over Houston". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 4, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
14. "2021 All-Big 12 Football Team" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
15. Clark, James (December 23, 2021). "Texas Tech's Ezukanma to pursue his dreams in 2022 NFL draft". Everything Lubbock. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
16. Zierlein, Lance. "Erik Ezukanma Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
17. "Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech, WR, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
18. "The Reaction: Miami Dolphins Select WR Erik Ezukanma with No. 125 Pick". MiamiDolphins.com. April 30, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
19. Masala, Mike (February 8, 2023). "Dolphins WR Erik Ezukanma explains difficulty in jumping to the NFL". Dolphins Wire. USA Today. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
20. "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. September 29, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
21. "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 27, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
22. "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. August 28, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
23. "Erik Ezukanma - Football". Texas Tech Red Raiders. Retrieved June 7, 2024.

External links

• Miami Dolphins bio
• Texas Tech Red Raiders bio

• Living people
• American football wide receivers
• American players of American football of Nigerian descent
• Texas Tech Red Raiders football players
• Players of American football from Fort Worth, Texas
• 2000 births
• Miami Dolphins players