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Kene Nwangwu (born February 9, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones.

College career

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

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings

Nwangwu was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round, 119th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. On May 15, 2021, he signed his rookie contract with Minnesota, worth $4.23 million with a $752K signing bonus. He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2021. 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. Three weeks later in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers, Nwangwu returned another kick for a touchdown, this one being 99 yards. As a rookie, he appeared in 11 games. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.

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. His 35 total kick returns in the 2022 tied with Keisean Nixon for the lead in the NFL. Overall, he appeared in all 17 games in a special teams role for the Vikings in the 2022 season.

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

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

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.

New York Jets

Nwangwu signed with the New York Jets practice squad on September 9, 2024. 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.

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". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
3. "2016 Big 12 Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. 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.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
14. "2021 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. 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.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
17. "Kene Nwangwu 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. 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". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2024.

External links

• New York Jets bio
• Iowa State Cyclones bio

• 1998 births
• Living people
• Players of American football from Frisco, Texas
• American football running backs
• Iowa State Cyclones football players
• Minnesota Vikings players
• New York Jets players