Hakeem Adeniji Bio
Hakeem Adeniji (born December 8, 1997) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 302 pounds, he plays on the offensive line and has appeared in 55 NFL games with 16 starts through the 2025 season. He is best known for his college career at the University of Kansas, where he was a four-year starter, and for reaching the AFC Championship Game with the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2022 season.
After entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick in 2020, Adeniji spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, and Cleveland Browns before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. He has been recognized for his durability and versatility, having started games at both tackle and guard during his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Hakeem Adeniji was born on December 8, 1997, in Garland, Texas, in the United States. He grew up in the same community where he would later attend high school, attending Garland High School in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. As a young athlete in Texas, he developed an early interest in football and quickly grew into a promising offensive lineman.
Adeniji was a standout at Garland High School, where his size and footwork attracted attention from college recruiters. He originally committed to play football at the United States Air Force Academy, but he was unable to receive the required medical waiver because of an allergy to cashews. After the waiver was denied, he reopened his recruitment and ultimately committed to the University of Kansas, setting the course for his future in college football.
Path to American Football
Adeniji’s path to professional football began at the University of Kansas, where he joined the Kansas Jayhawks football program. He made an immediate impact, starting all twelve games as a freshman at tackle and showing the durability that would define his career. Over four seasons in Lawrence, he did not miss a single game due to injury, appearing in 48 games and starting in all of them.
During his junior and senior seasons, Adeniji helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for running back Pooka Williams Jr. to rush for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back years. His steady play earned him second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors as a junior in 2018 and first-team All-Big 12 recognition as a senior in 2019. Following the 2019 season, he was invited to the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, where analysts noted that he might be asked to transition to guard at the next level.
Hakeem Adeniji Career
Early Career (2020)
Hakeem Adeniji was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 180th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in fifteen games and made five starts, including his first career start at tackle in Week 8. In that game, he helped the Bengals allow zero sacks for the first time all season, a strong early sign of his pass-protection potential.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Adeniji’s time in Cincinnati was marked by both setbacks and a memorable late run. In 2021, he tore his pectoral muscle during offseason workouts and underwent season-ending surgery in June 2021, beginning the year on the reserve/non-football injury list before being activated in November. Upon his return, he made his sixth career start against the Cleveland Browns and also started the Bengals’ postseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, the franchise’s first playoff win in 31 years.
In 2022, Adeniji began the season as the backup right tackle behind La’el Collins but was pressed into the starting role after Collins was injured in Week 16. He started the rest of the season and the playoffs, including the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where the offensive line faced heavy pressure from defensive end Chris Jones. Cincinnati waived him on August 29, 2023, ending his time with the team that had drafted him.
Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns (2023–2024)
On August 31, 2023, Adeniji was signed to the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on October 5, 2023. He provided depth along the offensive line for the Vikings during the 2023 campaign.
On March 13, 2024, Adeniji signed with the Cleveland Browns, where he competed for a roster spot along the offensive line. He was placed on injured reserve on August 19, 2024, limiting his on-field contribution that year.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025–Present)
On April 18, 2025, Hakeem Adeniji signed with the Dallas Cowboys, continuing his journeyman professional career. He was released by Dallas during final roster cuts but was re-signed to the active roster on August 27, 2025, securing his place on the team for the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Adeniji is regarded as a durable and versatile offensive lineman with the ability to play both tackle and guard at the professional level. His four consecutive years of starting every game at Kansas demonstrated a high level of consistency, and his experience in multiple offensive line schemes across four NFL teams has made him a reliable swing lineman who can step in at multiple positions when needed.
Notable Events and Milestones
Adeniji’s most notable career milestones include starting in the Cincinnati Bengals’ first playoff victory in 31 years during the 2021 postseason, starting at right tackle during the 2022 AFC Championship Game, and earning both first-team and second-team All-Big 12 honors at Kansas. Through the 2025 season, he has played in 55 career NFL games with 16 starts.
Hakeem Adeniji Career Wins
Hakeem Adeniji’s career does not center on individual win totals in the manner of a quarterback or skill-position player, but his contributions have produced several team victories across his professional stops. Most notably, he started for the Cincinnati Bengals in their first playoff win in 31 years against the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2021 postseason.
NFL Highlights
During his three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2020 to 2022, Adeniji played in 35 games and started 16, helping the team reach Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season and the AFC Championship Game after the 2022 season. He made his first career start in Week 8 of the 2020 season, a game in which the Bengals allowed zero sacks for the first time that year.
Other Performances
At the University of Kansas, Adeniji was a four-year starter who never missed a game due to injury, finishing his college career with 48 consecutive starts. He was a key blocker in two 1,000-yard rushing seasons for running back Pooka Williams Jr. and earned All-Big 12 recognition in 2018 and 2019.
Hakeem Adeniji Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Hakeem Adeniji married his wife, Kayla, in June 2021. The couple announced the stillbirth of their first son, Semiu Zade Adeniji, on November 4, 2024, sharing a statement via Instagram. In a later post on November 11, 2024, Adeniji reflected publicly on his loss and the lasting grief he and his wife carry.
2025 Season Performance
Hakeem Adeniji joined the Dallas Cowboys in April 2025 and re-signed to the active roster on August 27, 2025, after being released during final cuts. The 2025 campaign marks his fifth NFL season and his first with Dallas, where he is expected to provide experienced depth along the offensive line.
As of the 2025 season, Adeniji has played in 55 career NFL games with 16 starts, according to league statistics. His ability to play both tackle and guard gives the Cowboys flexibility as they manage injuries and rotation along the offensive front.
Looking ahead, Adeniji’s veteran presence and proven durability position him as a dependable reserve for Dallas, with the opportunity to expand his role as the 2025 season develops. His career arc from sixth-round draft pick to multi-team veteran reflects the steady work ethic that has defined his time in professional football.