Chidobe Awuzie Bio
Chidobe Chilorio Richard Awuzie is an American professional football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. Awuzie has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans, showcasing his skills as a reliable cornerback throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Chidobe Chilorio Richard Awuzie was born on May 24, 1995, in San Jose, California. He is the son of Nigerian immigrants and grew up in a household that valued education, faith, and athletic development. His cultural heritage and family support shaped his early perspective on sport and competition.
Awuzie attended Oak Grove High School in San Jose, California, where he played cornerback and wide receiver. Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and ESPN.com, he starred as a senior with 1,285 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on offense, plus 69 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 12 passes defensed on defense. He also competed in basketball and track, posting personal bests of 21.7 seconds in the 200 metres and 22-1 in the long jump. His versatility helped Oak Grove claim back-to-back BVAL Mount Hamilton Division titles.
After high school, Awuzie committed to play college football for the University of Colorado Boulder, choosing the Buffaloes over offers from Pac-12 opponents Utah and Washington State.
Path to American Football
Awuzie gained immediate playing time at Colorado, appearing in 12 games with seven starts as a freshman. He recorded 643 defensive snaps, 59 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, one sack, and 4 passes defensed. His production placed him among the most impactful freshmen in school history.
As a sophomore, he started nine games before a lacerated kidney in practice ended his season. He tallied 64 tackles, 8 passes defensed, and 2 interceptions in that stretch. In his junior year, Awuzie registered 90 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, and a team-high 13 tackles for loss, becoming the first Colorado defensive back to lead the team in tackles for loss since the statistic began being tracked in 1969. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in both 2015 and 2016.
Before his senior season, Awuzie was named to the Thorpe Award and Nagurski Award watchlists. He finished his final college year with 60 tackles, 4 sacks, one interception, and 12 passes defensed. He opted to forgo his remaining eligibility and declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Chidobe Awuzie Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
The Dallas Cowboys selected Awuzie in the second round, 60th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the 10th cornerback drafted that year and the first of three corners taken by Dallas. On May 11, 2017, the Cowboys signed him to a four-year, $4.28 million contract that included a $1.25 million signing bonus.
Hamstring and ankle injuries limited him during his rookie season, but he still appeared in 10 games with 6 starts, recording 25 combined tackles, 7 pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble. His first career interception came in a Week 17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, picking off a pass from Nick Foles intended for Alshon Jeffery. In 2018, Awuzie became a full-time starter and posted 71 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble across 15 games.
Dallas Cowboys Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Awuzie entered 2019 as a starting cornerback and started all 16 games, recording a career-high 79 tackles, 14 passes defensed, and one fumble recovery. He helped the Cowboys rank second in the league in third-down efficiency and ninth in total defense. On January 5, 2019, he started his first playoff game and made six combined tackles in a Wild Card win over the Seattle Seahawks.
In 2020, Awuzie recorded an interception against Jared Goff in Week 1 before a hamstring injury sent him to injured reserve in late September. He was activated in November and later placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in December. He appeared in 8 games with 6 starts and finished the year with 38 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2021-2023)
On March 19, 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Awuzie to a three-year, $21.75 million contract. He quickly became a starter and intercepted Aaron Rodgers in Week 5, returning it 42 yards for a career-long interception return. He added another pick against Justin Herbert in Week 12 and recorded a career-high 10 solo tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. He closed the regular season with 64 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a team-leading 14 passes defended.
In Super Bowl LVI, Awuzie recorded his first career playoff interception off Matthew Stafford. The following season was cut short when he tore his ACL in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns. Fully recovered in 2023, he started alongside Cam Taylor-Britt and battled through a herniated disc, appearing in 15 games with 10 starts and finishing with 57 tackles, 6 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024)
On March 14, 2024, the Tennessee Titans signed Awuzie to a three-year, $36.00 million contract. He was named a starting cornerback alongside L’Jarius Sneed and recorded his first interception with the Titans in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars after returning from a groin injury. He appeared in 8 games with 7 starts and finished with 26 tackles, one interception, 4 passes defensed, and one forced fumble.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025-Present)
The Titans released Awuzie on March 15, 2025, in a salary-cap move. On March 25, 2025, the Baltimore Ravens signed him to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. The move brought a veteran cornerback into a competitive secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
Awuzie is known for his physicality, tackling reliability, and football intelligence. He has drawn praise for his press-man coverage and his willingness to support the run game. His chess background has helped him develop pattern recognition and patience in coverage, traits he has openly linked to his work on the football field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Awuzie’s career milestones include his first career interception against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, his Super Bowl LVI interception off Matthew Stafford, and his victory in Chess.com’s BlitzChamps tournament in July 2022, where he defeated former Cowboys teammate Amari Cooper in the final.
Chidobe Awuzie Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Awuzie has posted consistent production as a starting cornerback. While individual game wins are team results, he has contributed to playoff-caliber defenses with the Cowboys and reached Super Bowl LVI with the Bengals.
NFL Highlights
Awuzie started the Cowboys’ NFC Wild Card win over the Seattle Seahawks in January 2019 and recorded an interception in the Cowboys’ Week 17 victory at Philadelphia in 2017. With the Bengals, he reached Super Bowl LVI and made a key interception in that game.
Other Performances
Awuzie was named second-team All-Pac-12 in both 2015 and 2016 during his college career at Colorado.
Chidobe Awuzie Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Awuzie is the son of Nigerian immigrants, an upbringing that helped shape his discipline and drive. His family supported his athletic development from his early years at Oak Grove High School through his college career at Colorado.
Personal Life
Awuzie is a Christian and has spoken openly about his faith, describing football as a platform for sharing his beliefs. He is an avid chess player who commonly opens with 1. e4 and compares his play to a fianchettoed bishop on the chessboard.
2025 Season Performance
Chidobe Awuzie joined the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year contract in March 2025, adding veteran depth to a competitive secondary. The deal runs through the 2025 season.
The 2025 campaign represents a fresh start for Awuzie after a groin injury limited him to eight games with the Titans in 2024. A healthy return would allow him to compete for a starting role and contribute to a defense that has consistently ranked among the league’s best.
With his track record of physicality, tackling, and coverage reliability, Awuzie offers the Ravens a dependable cornerback option as they push for another deep playoff run in 2025.