Adetokunbo Ogundeji Bio
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji, born on October 9, 1998, is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2016 through 2020 before entering the National Football League. Selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Ogundeji built his reputation as a steady and athletic defensive player during his professional career. After retiring from playing in July 2025, he transitioned into coaching as the assistant defensive line coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Early Life and Background
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji grew up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, in the United States. He is of Nigerian descent through his father, a heritage that has shaped his family identity and personal story. Football was not part of his childhood routine, and he did not begin playing the sport until his freshman year at Walled Lake Central High School in nearby Commerce Township, Michigan.
Despite his late start, Ogundeji developed rapidly on the gridiron. During his junior year at Walled Lake Central, he posted 68 tackles, nine sacks, 17 pass breakups, and four fumble recoveries, numbers that attracted college recruiters from across the country. He originally committed to Western Michigan before reopening his recruitment and ultimately signing with Notre Dame. His senior season was cut short by a knee injury, but his overall body of work was strong enough to confirm his place among the nation’s top defensive prospects.
Path to American Football
Ogundeji’s path to elite-level American football began with his recruitment by Notre Dame, where he enrolled in 2016. He spent his freshman campaign on the Fighting Irish scout team and did not appear in any games, then played sparingly during his sophomore season as he continued to develop his strength and technique. The foundation built during those early years prepared him for a larger role as a junior.
During the 2018 season, Ogundeji earned significant playing time and finished with 25 total tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. His performance demonstrated the upside that had drawn Notre Dame’s coaching staff to recruit him. He then chose to return for a fifth season in 2020 rather than enter the 2020 NFL Draft, a decision that allowed him to refine his game and improve his draft stock heading into 2021.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round with the 182nd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with Atlanta on June 15, 2021, and immediately began working toward a role in the team’s defensive rotation. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games and made 11 starts, an impressive workload for a fifth-round selection still adjusting to the professional game.
Ogundeji built on that rookie experience during the 2022 season, starting all 16 games for the Falcons. His increased responsibility reflected the trust that the coaching staff had placed in his development and reliability. Across his first two seasons in Atlanta, he established himself as a dependable presence on the defensive front.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2021–2023)
During his time with the Atlanta Falcons, Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji became a regular contributor on defense. He appeared in games each season from 2021 through 2023, with starts becoming a consistent part of his role by his second year. His athleticism, length, and run-defense instincts made him a useful piece of the Falcons’ defensive scheme.
On August 15, 2023, Ogundeji was placed on injured reserve, a setback that interrupted his momentum in Atlanta. He was later released by the Falcons on May 16, 2024, bringing his three-season tenure with the organization to a close.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024)
On August 29, 2024, Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional journey. He continued to work and waited for his opportunity to return to an active roster. On October 12, 2024, he was promoted to the Steelers’ active roster, rewarding his preparation during the early weeks of the season.
His time on the active roster, however, was brief. Ogundeji was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 17, 2024. In July 2025, he announced his retirement from professional football, closing out a four-season NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ogundeji brought an athletic and physical profile to the linebacker position, listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 268 pounds. His combination of size and movement skills allowed him to hold up against the run while also pursuing plays on the perimeter. Throughout his development at Notre Dame and in the NFL, he showed steady growth in technique and game understanding, traits that helped him earn starts early in his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji’s college career came on September 28, 2019, when he returned a fumble for a touchdown against Virginia. He recorded seven sacks during his 2019 senior season and matched that mark with seven sacks in his 2020 fifth-year campaign. He also became a fifth-round NFL Draft pick and logged 16 starts in a single NFL season, underscoring his rapid rise through the professional ranks.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji Career Stats
Across his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers, Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji compiled 75 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 pass deflections. His statistical production reflected his role as a rotational and at times starting linebacker, with his strongest workload coming during his first two seasons in Atlanta.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji Family
Family Background and Heritage
Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji is of Nigerian descent through his father, a cultural connection that has remained an important part of his identity. He grew up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, surrounded by family that supported his late introduction to football and his subsequent rise through the sport.
Personal Life
Ogundeji has largely kept his personal life private, with limited public details about relationships or immediate family beyond his parents’ background. His journey from a freshman-year football newcomer at Walled Lake Central High School to an NFL linebacker and now a college coach reflects the steady influence of his family and upbringing in Michigan.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 calendar year marked a transition for Adetokunbo Ademola Ogundeji, as he announced his retirement from professional football in July 2025. Rather than pursuing another playing opportunity, he moved directly into coaching, taking on the role of assistant defensive line coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores. The decision allowed him to stay connected to the sport while beginning a new chapter at the collegiate level.
Ogundeji’s move into coaching brings a recent player’s perspective to Vanderbilt’s defensive staff, shaped by his experience at Notre Dame and four NFL seasons. His work with the Commodores’ defensive line will be closely watched as he begins building a coaching identity. His long-term trajectory in the profession is just beginning, and his early responsibilities at Vanderbilt offer a first look at his potential as a developer of young defensive talent.