Derrick Nnadi Bio
Derrick Nnadi (born May 9, 1996) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 317 pounds, Nnadi has built a reputation as a run-stopping interior lineman since entering the league in 2018. He played college football at Florida State and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Over the course of his career, Nnadi has been part of three Super Bowl championship teams and has continued to contribute as a veteran presence along the defensive line.
Early Life and Background
Derrick Nnadi was born on May 9, 1996, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is of Nigerian descent and grew up in the coastal Virginia Beach community, where he developed an early interest in football. Nnadi attended Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, where he played on the defensive line and began attracting attention from college recruiters for his combination of size, strength, and quickness.
His high school performance established him as a promising defensive tackle prospect and set the stage for his recruitment to a major college football program. The foundation he built in Virginia Beach carried over to the next level, where he would eventually become a multi-year starter and team captain.
Path to American Football
After completing his high school career at Ocean Lakes, Nnadi committed to Florida State University, where he played for the Florida State Seminoles from 2014 through 2017. He worked his way into a significant role along the Seminoles’ defensive front and became known for his ability to occupy blockers and disrupt opposing rushing attacks.
Following the 2017 season, Nnadi was recognized for his college play with Third-team All-ACC honors. In December 2017, he accepted an invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl, though an injury prevented him from participating. He then attended the NFL Scouting Combine and Florida State’s pro day, where he was projected as a third or fourth round pick by draft analysts. Scouts Inc. ranked him as the seventh best defensive tackle in the 2018 draft class, while DraftScout.com listed him as the 11th best at his position.
Derrick Nnadi Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Derrick Nnadi in the third round with the 75th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Chiefs traded with the Baltimore Ravens to move up and select him, signaling how highly the organization thought of him. On June 15, 2018, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $3.74 million, including a signing bonus of $959,400.
During his first two seasons, Nnadi developed into a rotational player along Kansas City’s defensive interior. In Week 11 of the 2019 season, he recorded his first career interception against quarterback Philip Rivers in a Monday Night Football win over the Los Angeles Chargers. That season ended with the Chiefs winning Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers, the franchise’s first championship in fifty years.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2018–2024, 2025)
After winning his first Super Bowl in 2019, Nnadi continued to grow as a reliable presence on the Chiefs’ defensive line. He re-signed with Kansas City on March 20, 2022, and went on to win his second Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. The following offseason, on March 23, 2023, Nnadi again re-signed with the team.
The 2023 campaign delivered his third championship ring, as the Chiefs topped the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Nnadi signed another deal with Kansas City on March 19, 2024, but was later placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list in July before being activated in August. In March 2025, he signed with the New York Jets as a free agent, but was traded back to Kansas City on August 25, 2025, reuniting him with the franchise where he had built his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although Nnadi is not a race car driver, his style of play mirrors the discipline and consistency of a seasoned professional. He is valued for his strength at the point of attack, his ability to anchor against double teams, and his disciplined gap control against the run. Teammates and coaches have consistently praised his football intelligence and leadership along the defensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable stories from Nnadi’s career took place during the 2019 season, when he celebrated each Chiefs win by paying the adoption fee for a dog at a Kansas City animal shelter. After winning Super Bowl LIV, he went a step further and covered the adoption fees for every adoptable dog at the shelter, a gesture that drew national attention. On the field, his three Super Bowl rings stand as the defining milestones of his professional career.
Derrick Nnadi Career Wins
Derrick Nnadi’s career is highlighted by three Super Bowl championships with the Kansas City Chiefs. His postseason success includes titles from Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, and Super Bowl LVIII, making him one of the more decorated defensive linemen of his draft class.
Super Bowl Highlights
Super Bowl LIV marked Nnadi’s first championship, a victory over the San Francisco 49ers that ended a fifty-year championship drought for the Chiefs. Two seasons later, he helped Kansas City defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, and the following year he added a third ring with a rematch win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship success, Nnadi earned Third-team All-ACC honors in 2017 at Florida State. As of the 2025 season, his regular-season career totals include 249 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass deflections, and 1 interception, according to available NFL statistics.
Derrick Nnadi Family
Family Background and Lineage
Derrick Nnadi is of Nigerian descent. He was raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he attended Ocean Lakes High School and developed into a top-tier football recruit.
Personal Life
Off the field, Nnadi became widely known for his charitable work with dogs. During the Chiefs’ 2019 championship run, he adopted or paid the adoption fees for numerous shelter dogs in the Kansas City area, an effort that turned him into a fan favorite well beyond the boundaries of football.
2025 Season Performance
Derrick Nnadi began the 2025 season with the New York Jets after signing as a free agent in March. His time in New York was short, however, as he was traded back to the Kansas City Chiefs on August 25, 2025, for a conditional 2027 draft pick, rejoining the defensive line room where he had spent the first seven seasons of his career.
Back in Kansas City, Nnadi provided veteran depth and a championship pedigree along the interior of the defensive line. His familiarity with the Chiefs’ scheme and defensive line coach made for a smooth transition, and he contributed as a rotational run defender throughout the season.
Looking ahead, Nnadi’s future took another turn in March 2026, when he signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. The move marked a new chapter for the veteran defensive tackle, who brought three Super Bowl rings and nearly a decade of NFL experience to his new team.