Chidobe Awuzie Bio
Chidobe Chilorio Richard Awuzie is an American professional football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. Awuzie has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans, showcasing his skills as a reliable cornerback throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Chidobe Chilorio Richard Awuzie was born on May 24, 1995, in San Jose, California. He is the son of Nigerian immigrants, a family heritage that has shaped his outlook and discipline. Growing up in the Bay Area, Awuzie attended Oak Grove High School in San Jose, where he emerged as a multi-sport athlete with a reputation for competitive drive.
At Oak Grove, Awuzie played cornerback as well as wide receiver and was rated as a three-star recruit by both Rivals.com and ESPN.com. As a junior, he played free safety and recorded 58 tackles, one interception returned 80 yards for a touchdown, one fumble recovery, and five blocked kicks, earning All-League honors. As a senior, he posted 1,285 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns on offense and added 69 tackles with four interceptions on defense, helping his team win back-to-back BVAL Mount Hamilton Division titles.
Beyond football, Awuzie practiced basketball and track, posting career bests of 21.7 seconds in the 200 metres and 22-1 in the long jump. He eventually committed to play college football for the University of Colorado Boulder, choosing the Buffaloes over offers from Pac-12 opponents Utah and Washington State.
Path to American Football
Awuzie gained immediate playing time at Colorado, appearing in 12 games as a freshman with seven starts. He logged 643 defensive snaps, the third-most by a freshman in school history, and recorded 59 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. That debut season established him as one of the most promising young defensive backs in the Pac-12.
As a sophomore, Awuzie started nine games before a lacerated kidney suffered in practice ended his season early. He still tallied 64 tackles, eight passes defensed, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery before the injury. He rebounded as a junior with 13 games and 12 starts, registering 90 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, and a team-high 13 tackles for loss, becoming the first Colorado defensive back to lead the team in that category since 1969.
Before his senior year, Awuzie was named to the Thorpe Award and Nagurski Award watchlists. He finished his final season with 60 tackles, 4 sacks, one interception, 12 passes defensed, and 2 forced fumbles, while earning Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition for the second straight year. He then attended the NFL Combine and Colorado’s Pro Day, where he impressed scouts and rose into first or second round projections.
Chidobe Awuzie Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
The Dallas Cowboys selected Awuzie in the second round, 60th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft, the 10th cornerback taken that year. He signed a four-year, $4.28 million contract that included a $1.25 million signing bonus. Hamstring and ankle injuries limited him through training camp, but he still appeared in ten games with six starts as a rookie and made his first career interception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17.
In 2018, Awuzie became a full-time starter opposite Byron Jones, starting 14 of 15 games played and recording 71 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble. The Cowboys finished first in the NFC East with a 10-6 record, and Awuzie started his first career playoff game, a 24-22 NFC Wildcard win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Dallas Cowboys Breakthrough (2017-2020)
Across his four seasons in Dallas, Awuzie developed into one of the most dependable cornerbacks on the roster. In 2019, he started all 16 games and posted a career-high 79 tackles with 14 passes defensed and one fumble recovery, helping the Cowboys rank among the league’s top defenses in total yardage and passing efficiency. The following year, he added an acrobatic interception off Teddy Bridgewater in a Week 4 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
His 2020 campaign was interrupted by a hamstring injury that sent him to injured reserve, followed by a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Awuzie still appeared in eight games with six starts, finishing with 38 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery. When his rookie contract expired, Dallas declined to re-sign him.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2021-2023)
On March 19, 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Awuzie to a three-year, $21.75 million contract that included $7.50 million guaranteed. He was named a starting cornerback and played in 14 games, intercepting Aaron Rodgers in Week 5 and Justin Herbert in Week 12, while leading the team with 14 passes defended. In Super Bowl LVI, he recorded his first career playoff interception off Matthew Stafford.
His 2022 season ended in Week 8 when he tore his ACL defending a pass against Amari Cooper, limiting him to eight games. Healthy again in 2023, Awuzie opened as a starter, but a herniated disc and a loss of his starting job to rookie DJ Turner kept him in a rotational role. He still appeared in 15 games with 10 starts, recording 57 tackles, 6 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024)
On March 14, 2024, the Tennessee Titans signed Awuzie to a three-year, $36.00 million contract with $22.98 million guaranteed. He opened the season as a starter alongside L’Jarius Sneed but suffered a groin injury in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve on September 27. After ten weeks, he returned in Week 14 and recorded his first interception with the Titans against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the year with 26 tackles, 4 passes defensed, one interception, and one forced fumble in 8 games and 7 starts. The Titans released him on March 15, 2025, in a salary-cap move.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025-Present)
On March 25, 2025, the Baltimore Ravens signed Awuzie to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. He stepped in as the Ravens’ No. 3 cornerback and appeared in 14 games with five starts, recording 43 tackles and seven passes defended. On March 12, 2026, he re-signed with the Ravens on a one-year, $5 million contract, securing his future in Baltimore.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Awuzie’s signature moments is his first career playoff interception off Matthew Stafford in Super Bowl LVI, a 42-yard interception return off Aaron Rodgers in 2021, and a 10-solo-tackle performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 of the 2021 season. He also became the first Colorado defensive back since 1969 to lead the team in tackles for loss, a record he later tied in his senior year.
Chidobe Awuzie Career Wins
While cornerbacks are not measured by traditional win totals, Awuzie’s career has been defined by team success at every stop. He contributed to a Cowboys NFC East title in 2018, a Bengals Super Bowl LVI appearance in 2021, and a Titans defense that ranked second in the league in both total defense and pass defense in 2024.
Other Wins & Performances
Awuzie also posted standout individual performances, including a 79-tackle season in 2019 and a 2024 campaign in which he helped Tennessee rank second in the NFL in total defense. His 7 career interceptions, 73 career pass deflections, and 438 total tackles through the 2025 season underscore his consistency across multiple schemes.
Chidobe Awuzie Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Awuzie is the son of Nigerian immigrants, a background he has spoken about as a central part of his identity. He has credited his family with instilling the discipline and resilience that have defined his professional career.
Personal Life
Awuzie is a Christian and has said his faith is the foundation of his life and football career. He is an avid chess player on Chess.com, commonly playing 1. e4, and has compared his cornerback play to a fianchettoed bishop. In July 2022, he won Chess.com’s BlitzChamps tournament for NFL players, defeating former Cowboys teammate Amari Cooper in the final, and finished as runner-up the following year to Drue Tranquill.
2025 Season Performance
Awuzie joined the Baltimore Ravens in March 2025 on a one-year deal and settled into the No. 3 cornerback role behind the starting duo. Across 14 appearances with five starts, he delivered 43 tackles and seven passes defended, providing reliable depth throughout the regular season.
His veteran presence helped stabilize the secondary during a competitive AFC North campaign, where Baltimore leaned on its depth to navigate injuries in the defensive backfield. Awuzie’s chess-honed anticipation translated into consistent pass coverage, particularly on third downs and in two-minute drill situations.
Following the season, Awuzie re-signed with the Ravens on March 12, 2026, on a one-year, $5 million contract, signaling the organization’s continued confidence in his role as a rotational cornerback heading into the 2026 campaign.
