Adetokunbo Ogundeji Bio
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji (born October 9, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker who plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and entered the league after being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft. After spending his first three professional seasons with the Falcons, Ogundeji joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 and continues his career at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji was born on October 9, 1998, in West Bloomfield, Michigan, in the United States. He grew up in West Bloomfield and attended Walled Lake Central High School, where he first encountered the sport of football. Ogundeji did not play organized football until his freshman year of high school, making him a relatively late introduction to the game compared with many of his peers.
Once he began playing, Ogundeji developed quickly. As a junior at Walled Lake Central, he recorded 68 tackles, nine sacks, 17 pass breakups, and four fumble recoveries, establishing himself as a disruptive defensive player. His senior season was cut short because of a knee injury, but his junior performance drew strong recruiting interest.
Ogundeji is of Nigerian descent through his father, a family background that connects him to a wider community of athletes with West African heritage. He grew up in a supportive environment in suburban Detroit that allowed him to focus on athletics and academics during his formative years.
Path to American Football
Ogundeji originally committed to play college football at Western Michigan, where he had identified an early opportunity to continue his career. After his junior season at Walled Lake Central, his recruiting profile expanded significantly, and he eventually de-committed from Western Michigan. He ultimately signed with Notre Dame, choosing to compete at one of the most storied programs in college football.
His decision to attend Notre Dame marked a major step up in competition. The Fighting Irish program offered Ogundeji a platform to face elite offensive linemen and high-level offenses, and his development accelerated under the program’s coaching staff. The transition from a late-blooming high school player to a Power Five college starter reflected his dedication and physical growth.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2016 to 2020. He spent his freshman season on the scout team and did not appear in any games, then played sparingly as a sophomore while learning the defensive system. His progress was steady, and he began to earn a larger role as he gained experience within the program.
Ogundeji started to receive significant playing time as a junior during the 2018 season, finishing the year with 25 total tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. As a senior in 2019, he recorded 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery while playing in all 13 of Notre Dame’s games. On September 28, 2019, he returned a fumble for a touchdown against Virginia, one of the early highlights of his career.
Notre Dame Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Ogundeji opted to return for a fifth collegiate season in 2020, a decision that allowed him to further refine his pass-rushing skills. In that final college campaign, he produced seven sacks, demonstrating his growth into a reliable edge defender. His five-year college arc, from scout-team contributor to impact defender, established him as a legitimate professional prospect.
By the end of his Notre Dame tenure, Ogundeji had shown the versatility to play against the run and rush the passer. His statistical progression, including rising sack totals and tackle-for-loss numbers, gave NFL scouts confidence in his upside. The consistency of his senior and fifth-year performances helped position him for selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2021–2024)
Ogundeji was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round with the 182nd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with Atlanta on June 15, 2021, and began his professional career with the organization. During the 2021 season, Ogundeji appeared in 16 games and made 11 starts, an immediate and meaningful role for a Day 3 selection.
In 2022, Ogundeji started all 16 games, reinforcing his status as a reliable member of the Falcons’ defensive rotation. His usage reflected the trust the coaching staff placed in his fundamentals and preparation. On August 15, 2023, however, Ogundeji was placed on injured reserve, interrupting his momentum. He was later released by the Falcons on May 16, 2024, closing his initial NFL chapter.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
On August 29, 2024, Ogundeji was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, beginning a new phase of his professional journey. On October 12, 2024, he was promoted to the active roster, signaling that the Steelers valued his skill set enough to elevate him from the practice squad. He was released on December 17, 2024, but he remains a free agent available for future opportunities.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ogundeji’s playing strengths center on his length, leverage, and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. He has produced tackles for loss and sacks at both the college and professional levels, showing a knack for getting into opposing backfields. His five-year college journey, during which he steadily expanded his role, suggests a player whose best football came through repetition and detail work.
Notable Events and Milestones
A standout moment from Ogundeji’s career came on September 28, 2019, when he returned a fumble for a touchdown against Virginia while playing for Notre Dame. Being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft marked another milestone, as did his promotion to the Pittsburgh Steelers active roster in October 2024.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji Career Wins
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji’s career has been measured more by consistent playing time, defensive production, and team contributions than by headline win totals. Across his college years at Notre Dame and his professional stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers, he has been valued as a steady contributor.
Notre Dame Highlights
During his time with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2016 to 2020, Ogundeji built his reputation through steady statistical growth, finishing his senior year with 4.5 sacks and adding seven sacks as a fifth-year player in 2020. His fumble-return touchdown against Virginia in 2019 stands as one of his most memorable individual plays at the college level.
Other Wins and Performances
Ogundeji’s professional résumé includes 16-game seasons with the Atlanta Falcons in both 2021 and 2022, reflecting durability and the trust of his coaching staff. His promotion from the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad to the active roster in October 2024 further underscored his standing as a respected linebacker.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji is of Nigerian descent through his father, a family heritage that has influenced his cultural identity. He grew up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where he was raised in a household that supported his late introduction to football and his eventual rise through the sport.
Personal Life
Public details about Ogundeji’s personal life are limited. He is known to be of Nigerian descent through his father, and his early years were spent in the West Bloomfield area of Michigan before he moved on to Notre Dame and then the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji’s professional outlook depends on securing a roster spot after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in December 2024. His track record of starting 27 games across the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons demonstrates that he can handle an every-down role when healthy.
His 2023 placement on injured reserve and his subsequent release from Atlanta in May 2024 highlight the importance of staying available throughout the offseason and training camp. A return to full health and a strong showing in preseason work could position him for another opportunity as a depth linebacker or rotational defender.
For 2025, the most plausible path for Ogundeji is competing for a spot on a roster or practice squad, leveraging his college production at Notre Dame and his NFL starting experience. Continued development as a pass rusher and run defender will shape his market value as teams finalize their linebacker groups.