Josiah Ezirim Bio
Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim (born May 21, 2001) is an American professional football offensive tackle. He played college football for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft. Listed at 6 feet 6 inches and around 149 kilograms on the roster, Ezirim transitioned from defense to offense during his college years and quickly developed into a starting tackle at the FCS level before reaching the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim was born on May 21, 2001, and grew up in Hilliard, Ohio, as the oldest of four children. His father was a Nigerian immigrant and a soccer player for the Ohio State Buckeyes who later competed professionally, giving the household a strong athletic background. From an early age, Ezirim was exposed to multiple sports, beginning with flag football at age five and also playing soccer and basketball through his youth.
Ezirim attended Hilliard Davidson High School, where he became a two-way contributor on the football field. He earned two varsity letters as a defensive lineman, recording 39 tackles and three sacks at defensive end in 2017 before switching to nose tackle in 2018, when he posted 67 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. That season he was named all-conference and helped Hilliard Davidson capture a conference championship. He also competed for the track and field team, taking part in shot put, discus, sprinting, and relays, a background that supported his size and athleticism.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school as a three-star recruit, Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim drew interest from several college programs, including the Cincinnati Bearcats. He chose to commit to Eastern Kentucky, in part because he wanted to play on defense and was not interested in moving to the offensive line at that stage of his career. He enrolled with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in 2019 and also spent time as a member of the school’s indoor track team during his early college years.
As a true freshman in 2019, Ezirim appeared in 10 games on defense and recorded three tackles, and in the shortened 2020 season he played in six games and finished with nine tackles. After those two seasons he had only 12 total tackles and no starts, leading the Eastern Kentucky coaching staff to suggest a position change to the offensive line. He accepted the move in 2021, appeared in five games as a backup, and from that point committed to developing as a tackle.
Josiah Ezirim Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Ezirim’s Eastern Kentucky career began on the defensive side of the ball, where he served in a rotational role across his first two seasons. His freshman and sophomore totals reflected a player still adjusting to the college level, with limited production and no starts at either defensive end or nose tackle.
The turning point came in 2021, when the Eastern Kentucky staff suggested a switch to offensive tackle. Ezirim accepted the change and used the season to learn the position, appearing in five games as a backup while adjusting to the techniques and responsibilities required of an offensive lineman.
Eastern Kentucky Breakthrough (2022-2023)
In 2022, Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim became a full-time starter at right tackle and appeared in all 12 games for the Colonels. His steady play earned him fourth-team All-ASUN recognition, an early signal that the position change had unlocked his potential as an offensive lineman.
Ezirim’s senior season in 2023 cemented his rise. He started 11 games at tackle and was named first-team All-United Athletic Conference and a third-team FCS All-American by the Associated Press. Following the season he received invitations to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, two key showcase events for NFL Draft prospects, setting the stage for his transition to professional football.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024-Present)
Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round, 239th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He signed with the team and joined the offensive line room as a developmental tackle prospect out of the FCS ranks.
Ezirim was waived by the Saints on August 27, 2024, and was quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad, where he continued his development. On January 6, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with New Orleans, an indication that the organization viewed him as part of its long-term plans. He was waived again on August 25, 2025, as the team shaped its roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ezirim’s career arc from a three-star defensive recruit to a seventh-round NFL draft pick stands as his signature story, highlighting his willingness to switch positions and bet on his own development. His East-West Shrine Bowl invitation and Combine appearance in early 2024 served as milestone moments, while his draft selection marked the realization of a long-term goal that began in Hilliard, Ohio.
Josiah Ezirim Career Highlights
Across his college career at Eastern Kentucky, Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim built a résumé that included consistent starting roles at right tackle and postseason accolades at the FCS level. His senior awards and NFL draft selection mark the clearest achievements available to verify at this stage of his professional career.
Eastern Kentucky Highlights
Ezirim’s most decorated season came in 2023, when he started 11 games at right tackle and was named first-team All-United Athletic Conference and a third-team FCS All-American. In 2022 he had appeared in all 12 games and earned fourth-team All-ASUN honors, laying the groundwork for his senior-year recognition.
Other Performances
Earlier in his college career, Ezirim contributed on defense in 2019 and 2020 and served as a backup offensive lineman in 2021 before breaking into the starting lineup. His high-school résumé at Hilliard Davidson, where he helped win a conference championship and earned all-conference honors, also stands as an early competitive highlight.
Josiah Ezirim Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim is the oldest of four children and grew up in Hilliard, Ohio, in a household shaped by athletics. His father, a Nigerian immigrant, played soccer at Ohio State and later played the sport professionally, providing a clear athletic lineage that influenced Ezirim’s own multi-sport upbringing.
Personal Life
Ezirim’s family roots trace back to Nigeria through his father, and he has continued to identify with both his American upbringing in Ohio and his Nigerian heritage. Public details about his personal life beyond family and education remain limited.
2025 Season Outlook
Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim’s 2025 outlook centers on his reserve/future contract signed with the New Orleans Saints on January 6, 2025, which kept him within the organization after his rookie season. After being waived on August 25, 2025, his immediate next step will depend on whether he clears waivers, is retained on the practice squad, or explores opportunities with another team.
Coming off a seventh-round selection in 2024 and a year spent developing on the Saints’ practice squad, Ezirim enters the 2025 cycle as a young offensive tackle with starting experience at the FCS level and All-American recognition. His size, multi-sport athletic background, and willingness to embrace a position change give him a clear development profile for an NFL offensive line room.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season will be an important evaluation window for Ezirim as he works to secure a stable roster spot and continue refining his craft as a professional offensive tackle. Whether with the Saints or another organization, his path from Hilliard Davidson to the NFL provides a strong foundation for the next phase of his career.