Chigozie Anusiem Bio
Chigozie Anusiem, born on November 5, 2000, is an American professional football cornerback who plays in the National Football League (NFL). He currently appears on the roster of the Las Vegas Raiders, where he continues to develop as a defensive back after working his way onto multiple NFL practice squads. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds, he brings the length and physicality that cornerbacks need to compete at the highest level of professional football.
Anusiem built his career path by playing college football for the California Golden Bears before transferring to the Colorado State Rams. After going undrafted in 2024, he signed with the Washington Commanders and has since spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and Las Vegas Raiders. His journey from a small high school program to the NFL reflects steady progress and perseverance through several roster moves.
Early Life and Background
Chigozie Anusiem was born on November 5, 2000, in La Habra, California, and grew up in the same Southern California community. He was the fourth of five children and the son of Nigerian immigrants, which gave him a strong family foundation shaped by hard work and cultural pride. Growing up in La Habra, he found his passion for football early, starting to play the sport at age six.
He attended Sonora High School in La Habra, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. In addition to playing football, Anusiem competed in track and field, which helped him build speed and conditioning that would later benefit his defensive game. As a two-way player at defensive back and wide receiver, he earned three varsity letters and became a recognized contributor for the Sonora football program.
During his time at Sonora, Anusiem transitioned from safety to cornerback as a sophomore and quickly won a starting role. As a junior, he earned second-team All-League honors, and as a senior, he helped lead his team to the state playoffs. In that senior season, he recorded 30 receptions for 605 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense while adding 35 tackles and four interceptions on defense. A three-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the California Golden Bears.
Path to American Football
Chigozie Anusiem’s path to professional football began with his commitment to the California Golden Bears, a program within the Pac-12 Conference. His senior statistics at Sonora High School drew the attention of college scouts, and his combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills helped him secure his spot as a recruited cornerback prospect. His track and field background also gave him the speed needed to cover wide receivers at the collegiate level.
At California, Anusiem worked through a redshirt year and gradually increased his role over four seasons with the Golden Bears. He appeared in 25 games and recorded 40 tackles along with six pass breakups, gaining the kind of experience that prepared him for a starting role at his next destination. After completing his degree, he decided to use the NCAA transfer portal in order to play as a graduate student at another program.
His initial transfer destination was the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, but a coaching change led him back into the portal. He ultimately landed at Colorado State, where he spent his final two collegiate seasons and earned recognition in the Mountain West Conference. That stretch with the Colorado State Rams positioned him for an opportunity at the professional level.
Chigozie Anusiem Career
College Career (2018–2021)
Anusiem redshirted his first year at California in 2018, appearing in two games without recording any statistics. The following season, he played in 12 games, one as a starter, and tallied 15 tackles with five passes defended. During the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, he appeared in four games and made 12 tackles, two of which came in starts.
In his final year with the Golden Bears in 2021, he played in seven games and recorded 13 tackles before entering the NCAA transfer portal in November. He left California having appeared in 25 games with six starts, establishing himself as a reliable cornerback prospect ready for a fresh start.
Colorado State Rams (2022–2023)
After transferring from California, Anusiem joined the Colorado State Rams for the 2022 season. In his first year with the program, he posted 36 tackles and nine pass breakups, earning honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference recognition. His ball skills and tackling ability stood out as he quickly adapted to a new defensive scheme.
As a senior in 2023, Anusiem totaled 57 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, three passes defended, and one interception. He again received honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference honors, capping a strong final collegiate season. Following the 2023 campaign, he was invited to the 2024 East–West Shrine Bowl, an all-star showcase that gave him additional exposure to NFL scouts before the draft.
Washington Commanders Era (2024)
Anusiem signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2024. He spent the early portion of the 2024 season competing for a roster spot before being waived on August 27, 2024. The Commanders re-signed him to their practice squad the following day, allowing him to continue his development within the organization.
On November 13, 2024, Anusiem was signed off the Commanders’ practice squad to the active roster of the Cleveland Browns, marking his first appearance on an NFL active roster. The move rewarded his persistence and gave him his first opportunity to contribute at the professional level.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–2025)
With the Cleveland Browns, Anusiem gained valuable experience practicing and developing within an NFL defensive system. The Browns kept him on their active roster through the remainder of the 2024 season, providing him with consistent exposure to professional-level preparation. On August 24, 2025, however, Anusiem was waived by the Browns as part of roster moves heading into the new season.
Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025–Present)
On August 28, 2025, Anusiem signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, where he continued to refine his craft. His time in Arizona was short, as the Las Vegas Raiders signed him off the Cardinals’ practice squad on December 9, 2025. He now joins a Raiders organization looking for depth and competition in their secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Anusiem’s position is cornerback rather than a driving role, his on-field strengths are built on a combination of size, speed, and physicality. His track and field background gives him reliable acceleration, while his 6-foot-1 frame allows him to match up against larger receivers. He has shown a willingness to contribute in run support as well, evidenced by his college tackle totals.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments in Anusiem’s young career came when he was invited to the 2024 East–West Shrine Bowl, a respected postseason all-star game that highlights draft-eligible talent. Another milestone arrived on November 13, 2024, when he was elevated from the Washington Commanders’ practice squad to the Cleveland Browns’ active roster, marking his first NFL active-roster transaction. His continued movement between practice squads and active rosters in 2024 and 2025 reflects the resilience required to stay in the NFL as an undrafted player.
Chigozie Anusiem Career Highlights
Throughout his college and early professional career, Chigozie Anusiem has built a steady resume as a cornerback with conference-level recognition. Across his time at California and Colorado State, he recorded 133 tackles, multiple pass breakups, and an interception, while earning honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference honors in both of his seasons with the Rams. His invitation to the 2024 East–West Shrine Bowl further validated his development as a professional prospect.
College Highlights
Anusiem’s most productive college season came in 2023 with the Colorado State Rams, when he recorded 57 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, three passes defended, and one interception. He earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference recognition that year after posting similar accolades in 2022 with 36 tackles and nine pass breakups. His 2023 performance served as the foundation for his professional opportunity.
Professional Highlights
Since going undrafted in 2024, Anusiem has been a member of four NFL organizations, including the Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and Las Vegas Raiders. Each stop has provided him with the opportunity to compete and develop within a professional system, and his elevation to the Browns’ active roster stands as his most significant professional milestone to date.
Chigozie Anusiem Family
Family Background and Lineage
Chigozie Anusiem grew up in a large family as the fourth of five children in La Habra, California. He is the son of immigrants from Nigeria, whose journey to the United States shaped the values of perseverance and dedication that he has carried into his football career. His Nigerian heritage has remained an important part of his identity, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his athletic ambitions from an early age.
Personal Life
Anusiem has largely kept his personal life private as he focuses on his professional football career. There are no widely reported details about his marital status or children, and his public focus remains centered on training, roster competition, and contributing to his team. His commitment to his craft and family support system continues to drive his ongoing effort to establish himself as a long-term NFL cornerback.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Chigozie Anusiem as he moved between multiple NFL organizations. He was waived by the Cleveland Browns in late August 2025 before quickly signing with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. The Cardinals provided him with a platform to continue preparing for an opportunity at the NFL level during the early portion of the season.
On December 9, 2025, Anusiem was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders off of the Cardinals’ practice squad, giving him a fresh opportunity heading into the late stages of the year. Joining the Raiders placed him within a new defensive scheme and alongside a new coaching staff, offering him another chance to compete for an active-roster role.
Looking ahead, Anusiem will aim to make the most of his opportunity in Las Vegas as he continues to chase his goal of becoming a regular contributor on an NFL defense. His combination of experience from multiple organizations, recent all-star recognition, and continued development as a cornerback make him a player to watch in the latter stages of the 2025 season and beyond.