Samson Ebukam Bio
Nnamka Samson Ebukam is a Nigerian-American professional football defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 191 cm and playing at 111 kg, he works off the edge as a pass rusher and run defender.
Ebukam played college football for the Eastern Washington Eagles and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Across his professional career, he has played for the Rams, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Indianapolis Colts, establishing himself as a productive rotational and starting defensive end.
Early Life and Background
Samson Ebukam was born on May 9, 1995, in Onitsha, Nigeria. He moved to the United States at the age of nine, settling with his family in the Pacific Northwest.
He attended and graduated from David Douglas High School in Portland, Oregon, in 2013. While there, he played football for the Scots, lining up at defensive end, tight end, and fullback as a senior. His play at defensive end earned him First Team All-Mount Hood Conference honors, while his work at tight end drew honorable mention recognition.
Coming out of high school, Ebukam drew limited Division I attention, receiving only two scholarship offers. He chose to attend Eastern Washington University over Portland State, a decision that shaped his path to the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Football
At Eastern Washington, Ebukam developed into a three-year starter for the Eagles. Over 38 career collegiate starts, he produced 188 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, and 24 sacks, building the resume that would carry him into the NFL.
As a senior, he tallied 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, along with three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, eight quarterback hits, and an interception. His play earned him First-team All-Big Sky honors and FCS All-American recognition in 2016, following Second-team All-Big Sky selections in 2014 and 2015.
Although Ebukam was not invited to the 2017 NFL Combine, he participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. That showcase helped confirm his draft status, and he entered the league as a fourth-round selection.
Samson Ebukam Career
Early Career (2017)
The Los Angeles Rams selected Ebukam in the fourth round with the 125th overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft. The Rams traded their fourth-round and sixth-round picks to the New York Jets to acquire the selection used on Ebukam, who was the 17th linebacker drafted that year.
On June 20, 2017, the Rams signed him to a four-year, $3.01 million contract that included a signing bonus of $613,082. He entered training camp competing for a backup outside linebacker role behind Robert Quinn and Connor Barwin.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2017–2020)
Ebukam made his professional regular-season debut in the Rams’ opener against the Indianapolis Colts, recording three solo tackles in a 46–9 victory. On November 12, 2017, he recorded his first career sack against Texans quarterback Tom Savage, forcing a fumble recovered by Tyrunn Walker in a 33–7 win. He earned his first career start on December 3, 2017, collecting a season-high five solo tackles in a 32–16 win at the Arizona Cardinals. Ebukam finished his rookie season with 31 combined tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games and two starts.
In 2018, head coach Sean McVay named Ebukam and Matt Longacre the starting outside linebackers. In a Week 11 Monday Night Football game, he scored two defensive touchdowns off turnovers and forced another interception in a 54–51 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished the season with 40 tackles, one interception, and three forced fumbles, then recorded tackles in the Divisional Round, NFC Championship, and Super Bowl LIII, a 13–3 loss to the New England Patriots.
In 2019, Ebukam played 16 games with five starts, recording 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and four passes defensed. In 2020, he played 16 games with 14 starts, totaling 31 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass defensed. He forced a fumble on a punt return against the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round that helped seal a 30–13 lead before the Rams fell the following week to the Green Bay Packers.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2021–2022)
On March 19, 2021, Ebukam signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. In his first season, he recorded 4.5 sacks, 38 total tackles, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble across 17 appearances and 11 starts.
In 2022, he started 15 appearances and posted five sacks, 36 total tackles, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble, serving as a steady edge presence for the San Francisco defense.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–Present)
On March 17, 2023, Ebukam signed a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. In his first season with the team, he led the Colts with a career-high 9.5 sacks while also setting career highs with 57 tackles and three forced fumbles.
On July 29, 2024, it was announced that Ebukam would miss the 2024 season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon, a setback that interrupted his momentum after his most productive professional year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ebukam is an edge rusher who combines quick first-step burst with the strength to set the edge against the run. His best work has come on passing downs, where his closing speed has produced sacks, forced fumbles, and turnovers, including his two-touchdown performance against Kansas City in 2018.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ebukam’s signature moments include his first career sack against Tom Savage in 2017, his NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor in 2018, an appearance in Super Bowl LIII, and a career-high 9.5 sacks with the Colts in 2023.
Samson Ebukam Career Wins
Verified sack and tackle totals across his NFL career include 31 combined tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble as a Ram in 2017; 40 tackles, one interception, and three forced fumbles in 2018; 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2019; 31 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2020; 4.5 sacks in 2021; five sacks in 2022; and a career-best 9.5 sacks with 57 tackles and three forced fumbles in his first Colts season in 2023.
Los Angeles Rams Highlights
Across his four seasons in Los Angeles, Ebukam steadily grew from a rotational pass rusher into a starter and postseason contributor. His first career sack came against the Houston Texans in 2017, and his two-touchdown, NFC Defensive Player of the Week performance highlighted a 2018 campaign that ended with a trip to Super Bowl LIII.
Other Wins and Performances
With San Francisco, Ebukam posted 4.5 sacks in 2021 and five sacks in 2022, providing reliable edge production. He then set career highs across multiple categories in 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts before a torn Achilles ended his 2024 season.
Samson Ebukam Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ebukam was born in Onitsha, Nigeria, and relocated to the United States at the age of nine. Public records about his parents and siblings are limited, and no further lineage details are confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Ebukam is a Nigerian-American professional athlete who has built his career in the United States. Confirmed details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
Ebukam is working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in 2024, an injury announced on July 29, 2024, that cost him the entire season. His recovery timeline will shape his availability and role with the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.
The Colts signed him to a three-year contract in March 2023, putting him under contract through the 2025 season. His 2023 production, including a team-leading 9.5 sacks and 57 tackles, sets a clear benchmark for what the defense expects when he returns to the field.
If healthy, Ebukam is expected to return to his role as a starting defensive end, providing edge pressure and run defense for Indianapolis. His combination of career-high production in 2023 and a full offseason to rehab the Achilles will determine how quickly he regains his 2023 form.