Larry Ogunjobi Bio
Olumide Larry Ogunjobi is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 305 pounds, he has built a career as a reliable interior presence since entering the league in 2017. A former third-round pick, Ogunjobi has suited up for the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and now the Buffalo Bills, establishing himself as a durable contributor along the defensive line.
Early Life and Background
Larry Ogunjobi was born on June 3, 1994, in Livingston, New Jersey. He was raised by Yoruba parents who had immigrated from Nigeria, growing up in a household shaped by both Nigerian heritage and the rhythms of American life. His family later settled in North Carolina, where he pursued his passion for football.
Ogunjobi attended Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, North Carolina, where he developed into a promising defensive lineman. His size, quickness, and relentless motor caught the attention of college recruiters, eventually leading him to commit to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He went on to play college football for the Charlotte 49ers from 2013 to 2016, recording 217 tackles and 13 sacks across his career with the program.
Off the field, Ogunjobi distinguished himself academically. At Charlotte, he double-majored in computer science and biology, ultimately graduating with a degree in computer science in December 2016. His combination of athletic talent and academic discipline helped position him as a mature prospect heading into the NFL Draft.
Path to American Football
Ogunjobi’s path to the NFL began with a strong college career at Charlotte, a program that was still establishing itself at the FBS level during his tenure. His consistent production as a pass rusher and run defender made him one of the most decorated defenders in 49ers history. By his senior season, he had cemented his reputation as a prospect capable of competing at the next level.
Coming out of college, Ogunjobi was ranked among the top defensive tackles available in the 2017 NFL Draft. He received an invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl, where he practiced well throughout the week and played defensive tackle for the North team in a narrow 16–15 loss to the South. His performance at the Senior Bowl helped raise his draft stock heading into the spring evaluation process.
Ogunjobi also participated in the NFL Combine, completing all required combine and positional drills. Roughly a dozen scouts and team representatives attended Charlotte’s Pro Day to evaluate him as the program’s feature prospect. Analysts and draft experts ultimately projected him as a second or third-round selection.
Larry Ogunjobi Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The Cleveland Browns selected Ogunjobi in the third round, 65th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract with the Browns on May 17, 2017, a four-year deal worth approximately $3.9 million. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games, recording 17 solo tackles and one sack while adjusting to the speed of the professional game.
In his second season, Ogunjobi showed clear growth. During the 2018 campaign, he finished with 33 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, and 5.5 sacks, establishing himself as a foundational piece of the Browns’ defensive front.
Cleveland Browns Era (2017–2020)
Ogunjobi spent his first four professional seasons in Cleveland, evolving from a rotational rookie into a full-time starter. On November 14, 2019, he was involved in one of the most controversial moments of his career during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After teammate Myles Garrett and Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph became entangled in a brawl, Ogunjobi pushed Rudolph to the ground. The NFL suspended him for one game without pay and fined him for his role in the incident.
Ogunjobi made his playoff debut on January 10, 2021, when the Browns defeated the Steelers 48–37 in the AFC Wild Card round, recording three assisted tackles. He followed that with one solo tackle in the Browns’ AFC Divisional Round playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, closing out his tenure in Cleveland.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2021)
On March 19, 2021, Ogunjobi signed a one-year, $6.2 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He started all 16 games during the 2021 season, posting a career-high seven sacks, 49 tackles, and a team-high 12 tackles for loss. His productive campaign came to an abrupt end after he suffered a season-ending foot injury during the Wild Card playoff game against the Las Vegas Raiders, requiring surgery.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2022–2024)
On March 14, 2022, Ogunjobi was reported to have agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears, but the deal fell through after he failed a conditional physical and the offer was rescinded. Shortly after, on June 21, 2022, he signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started 16 games that season, recording 48 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
On March 17, 2023, Ogunjobi signed a three-year, $28.75 million contract extension with the Steelers. In 2023, he finished the season with 21 tackles, three of which went for a loss, along with a forced fumble. He also made two tackles in the Steelers’ Wild Card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills in January 2024. In 2024, he recorded his first sack of the season against New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a 37–15 Steelers victory. He was released by the Steelers on March 10, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Ogunjobi signed a one-year, $8.3 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, joining the team as a veteran presence on the interior defensive line. However, after joining the Bills, Ogunjobi was suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ogunjobi is known for his quick first step, strong hand usage, and ability to disrupt plays in both the running and passing games. His strengths include leveraging leverage and leverage-based technique, holding up against double teams, and generating consistent interior pressure. He pairs physical tools with the discipline of a computer science graduate, bringing a cerebral approach to film study and on-field recognition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Ogunjobi’s career is his Senior Bowl performance that helped elevate his draft stock, his role in the 2019 Browns–Steelers brawl, and his career-best seven-sack season with the Bengals in 2021. His three-year extension with the Steelers in 2023 represented one of the most significant financial commitments of his career.
Larry Ogunjobi Career Wins
Larry Ogunjobi has notched steady production across his NFL stops, highlighted by his 2021 season with the Bengals and consistent starting contributions with the Steelers. His career is defined less by championship rings and more by durable, year-after-year impact along the defensive line.
NFL Highlights
Ogunjobi’s most productive single season came in 2021 with the Cincinnati Bengals, when he recorded a career-high seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He also posted a strong 2018 campaign with the Browns, finishing with 5.5 sacks, and consistently appeared in 14 to 16 games per season across multiple franchises. He made his postseason debut in the 2020 AFC Wild Card win over the Steelers, and later added a playoff appearance with the Steelers in January 2024.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NFL, Ogunjobi’s college career at Charlotte produced 217 tackles and 13 sacks over four seasons, marking him as one of the program’s all-time defensive standouts. His Senior Bowl invitation and combine performance also represent notable pre-professional achievements on his resume.
Larry Ogunjobi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ogunjobi was born to Yoruba parents who immigrated from Nigeria and raised him in the United States. His Nigerian heritage and immigrant family background have shaped his path, instilling the discipline and resilience that have defined his professional career.
Personal Life
Larry Ogunjobi maintains a relatively private personal life. His educational accomplishments, including graduating with a computer science degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, reflect a focus on life beyond football.
2025 Season Performance
Ogunjobi’s 2025 season began with a one-year, $8.3 million signing with the Buffalo Bills on March 14, 2025, signaling the franchise’s intent to add experienced depth to its defensive interior. The move came shortly after his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers, positioning Ogunjobi as a veteran addition to a competitive Bills roster.
His season was immediately complicated by a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, sidelining him for the opening stretch of the campaign. Once eligible to return, Ogunjobi was expected to provide rotation help and run defense on a Bills team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Looking ahead, Ogunjobi’s contract is set to run through 2026, giving him a runway to re-establish himself as a full-time contributor. His combination of experience, technique, and locker-room professionalism will be factors in how Buffalo deploys him across the defensive line.