Odafe Oweh Bio
Odafe Jayson Oweh, born on December 15, 1998, is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He rose to prominence as a first-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2021 NFL draft after a standout college career at Penn State. Recognized for his rare combination of speed, length, and finishing ability, Oweh quickly established himself as a disruptive edge defender and one of the more intriguing young pass rushers in the league.
Early Life and Background
Odafe Jayson Oweh was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, to a Nigerian-born father and a London-born mother of Nigerian descent. Growing up in a multicultural household, Oweh developed an early appreciation for athletics and competition. He attended Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, where he sharpened his football skills and earned recognition as one of the top high school prospects in the country.
While at Blair Academy, Oweh became best friends with fellow defensive standout David Ojabo, a bond that would carry both players to elite college programs. His senior season drew national attention, and Oweh was selected to play in the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game, an honor reserved for the most highly regarded high school seniors in the nation. He committed to Penn State to play college football.
Path to American Football
Oweh’s transition from high school star to collegiate contributor began when he enrolled at Penn State in 2018. As a true freshman, he appeared in four games and recorded two sacks, showing flashes of the elite potential that had made him one of the most coveted recruits in his class. His combination of explosive first-step quickness and raw athleticism immediately stood out to the Nittany Lions coaching staff.
By his sophomore season in 2019, Oweh had grown into a more prominent role, playing in 13 games with one start and finishing the year with 21 tackles and five sacks. His development continued through the 2020 campaign, when he tallied 38 tackles, including seven tackles for a loss, earning First-team All-Big Ten honors. That recognition cemented his status as a premier NFL prospect and set the stage for his entry into professional football.
Odafe Oweh Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Odafe Jayson Oweh was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round, 31st overall, of the 2021 NFL draft, a pick Baltimore had previously acquired in a trade that sent Orlando Brown Jr. to the Kansas City Chiefs. Shortly after the draft, Oweh announced that he would go by his first name Odafe rather than his middle name Jayson, which he had used in college to avoid confusion regarding the pronunciation of his first name. He signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $12.6 million, on June 10, 2021.
Oweh’s impact was immediate. In just his second career game, he recorded his first forced fumble and recovery late in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs, a turnover that helped seal a 36–35 victory. He was named the AFC defensive player of the week after posting three tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a quarterback hit on Patrick Mahomes that led to an interception by teammate Tavon Young. Although injuries limited him over the final two weeks, he finished his rookie season with 33 total tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a pass breakup, earning selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In 2022, he started six of 17 games and recorded 43 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Oweh’s third NFL season saw him continue to develop as a rotational pass rusher. In 13 games and five starts during the 2023 campaign, he finished fourth on the team with five sacks, along with 23 tackles and two forced fumbles, demonstrating his value as a situational disruptor. His role expanded again the following year.
On April 30, 2024, the Ravens exercised the fifth-year option on Oweh’s contract, signaling their long-term commitment to his development. In 2024, he made 17 appearances with 10 starts, compiling one forced fumble, 10 sacks, and 39 combined tackles, the most productive statistical season of his career to that point. His continued growth validated Baltimore’s decision to invest in him as a foundational piece of their defense.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025–Present)
On October 7, 2025, Oweh was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers along with a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round pick. The move opened a new chapter for Oweh, who joined a Chargers defense looking to bolster its pass-rushing depth. Prior to the trade, he had made five appearances with two starts during the 2025 season, recording 10 combined tackles.
Oweh’s transition to Los Angeles offers him an opportunity to expand his role within a defense coordinated to emphasize edge pressure. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 251 pounds, he brings the length and explosiveness that modern defenses covet at the linebacker position. His arrival in Los Angeles marks a fresh start as he looks to build on his four-plus seasons of professional experience.
Driving Style and Strengths
Oweh’s game is built around exceptional first-step quickness, rare length, and the closing speed to chase down quarterbacks in pursuit. His athletic profile, particularly his straight-line speed and flexibility off the edge, allows him to threaten both outside and inside rushing lanes. As he matures, refining his counter moves and sustaining his pass-rush plan over four quarters will be central to unlocking his full ceiling.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Oweh’s signature moments, his Week 2 forced fumble and recovery against the Kansas City Chiefs as a rookie stands out as an early statement performance that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Reaching 10 sacks in a single season during 2024 represented another career milestone, as did the Ravens’ decision to exercise his fifth-year option, an affirmation of his value as a core defensive piece.
Odafe Oweh Career Wins
Odafe Jayson Oweh has built a strong résumé since entering the NFL in 2021, highlighted by five sacks during his rookie season and a career-best 10 sacks in 2024. Across his time with the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers, he has tallied multiple forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and quarterback pressures, establishing himself as a consistent contributor in the defensive front seven.
Baltimore Ravens Highlights
During his four-plus seasons in Baltimore, Oweh recorded 5 sacks as a rookie, 3 sacks in his second season, 5 sacks in 2023, and 10 sacks in 2024, before posting 10 combined tackles in limited action during the early weeks of 2025. He earned a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team after his debut campaign, and his fifth-year option was picked up in April 2024, both indicators of his standing within the organization.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Oweh captured First-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2020 after recording 38 tackles and seven tackles for a loss during his final season at Penn State. His selection to the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game during high school further underscored his profile as a nationally recognized talent.
Odafe Oweh Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Odafe Jayson Oweh was raised in Hackensack, New Jersey, by a Nigerian-born father and a London-born mother of Nigerian descent. His multicultural upbringing helped shape his worldview and athletic identity, and his close friendship with former Blair Academy teammate David Ojabo, who later joined him as an NFL pass rusher, reflects the strong personal bonds forged during his formative years.
Personal Life
Oweh’s younger brother, Otega Oweh, plays as a guard for the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team. The brothers have both carved out notable collegiate and professional careers, with Odafe establishing himself in the NFL while Otega continues to develop at the collegiate level.
2025 Season Performance
Odafe Jayson Oweh’s 2025 season began with the Baltimore Ravens, where he made five appearances and two starts, recording 10 combined tackles before his midseason departure. His role had been reduced following a strong 2024 campaign, making his trade a notable shift for both player and team.
The October 7, 2025, trade to the Los Angeles Chargers opened a new opportunity for Oweh to contribute in a defense seeking additional edge-rushing presence. Joining the Chargers organization provided a fresh environment in which to refine his craft and compete for an expanded role over the remainder of the season.
Looking ahead, Oweh’s combination of physical tools and accumulated NFL experience positions him as a player capable of making an impact for the Chargers as the 2025 season progresses. His continued development as a pass rusher and run defender will be central to his long-term outlook, both in Los Angeles and beyond.