Joshua Onujiogu Bio
Joshua Onujiogu is an American professional football linebacker who has spent his entire National Football League (NFL) career with the Seattle Seahawks. Born and raised in Wareham, Massachusetts, Onujiogu built his game at a small Division III program before reaching the pros as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Known for his size, length, and physicality at the linebacker position, he has carved out a steady role on the Seahawks’ practice squad and active roster.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Onujiogu was born on March 3, 1998, in Wareham, Massachusetts. Wareham is a small coastal town on the South Coast of Massachusetts, and the community helped shape his athletic upbringing. He attended Wareham High School, where he developed the foundation that would later carry him to the college level.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 252 pounds, Onujiogu entered college with the frame and physical tools suited for a modern linebacker. His combination of size, strength, and speed gave him the versatility to play in multiple defensive schemes. These traits would later attract the attention of professional scouts, even as he pursued his college career away from the major spotlight of Division I football.
Path to American Football
Onujiogu took his talents to Framingham State University, where he played for the Framingham State Rams from 2016 through 2021. Framingham State competes in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC), a Division III league. While the level of competition was modest compared with the Football Bowl Subdivision, Onujiogu consistently produced at a high level against conference opponents.
His standout play earned him the MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year honor in both 2019 and 2021. He also picked up First-team All-MASCAC recognition in those same seasons and added All-New England First-Team honors in 2021. Those awards marked him as one of the most productive defensive players in the conference during his college years and helped set the stage for a professional opportunity after the 2022 NFL Draft.
Joshua Onujiogu Career
Early Career (2022)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Joshua Onujiogu wasted little time finding an NFL home. On May 2, 2022, the Seattle Seahawks signed him as an undrafted free agent. The agreement gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot during the Seahawks’ training camp and preseason schedule.
On August 31, 2022, Onujiogu was waived by Seattle as the team trimmed its roster. He did not have to wait long for another opportunity, as the Seahawks re-signed him to their practice squad on September 2, 2022. From there, he continued to develop within the team’s defensive system while waiting for his chance to contribute on game day.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Onujiogu’s patience paid off during the 2022 season. On November 5, 2022, the Seahawks elevated him from the practice squad to the active roster. The following day, he made his NFL debut against the Arizona Cardinals. In that appearance, he logged 17 defensive snaps and recorded three tackles, providing an early signal that he belonged on an NFL field.
His performance during that debut season was enough to convince Seattle to keep him around. On January 7, 2023, Onujiogu was signed to the Seahawks’ active roster, locking in his spot as he headed into the next phase of his professional journey. The breakthrough showed that an undrafted Division III product could compete and produce at the highest level of American football.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2022–Present)
Onujiogu has remained with the Seattle Seahawks organization throughout his professional career. The team’s roster moves have included waivers and practice squad elevations, but he has continued to be part of the franchise’s defensive plans. On August 9, 2023, he was waived/injured by the Seahawks, and on August 6, 2024, he was again waived/injured. Through each transition, his ties to the organization have endured.
Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 252 pounds, Onujiogu provides the Seahawks with a physical, downhill linebacker presence. His journey from a small Massachusetts high school to an NFL locker room has made him a quietly determined contributor within Seattle’s defensive unit. His continued presence on the roster reflects both his work ethic and the franchise’s belief in his upside.
Driving Style and Strengths
Onujiogu’s strengths center on his physical profile and his nose for the football. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 252 pounds, he has the size to take on blocks at the line of scrimmage and the athleticism to chase plays sideline to sideline. His production at Framingham State, including two MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year awards, points to instincts and finishing ability that translate to the NFL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
The clear milestone of Joshua Onujiogu’s young career came on November 6, 2022, when he made his NFL debut against the Arizona Cardinals and recorded three tackles. That appearance marked the moment an undrafted MASCAC star officially arrived in the NFL. His two MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019 and 2021 also stand as defining collegiate achievements.
Joshua Onujiogu Career Wins
Joshua Onujiogu’s career wins to date are defined more by milestones and recognition than by championship trophies. At the college level, he earned MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019 and 2021, along with First-team All-MASCAC selections in the same seasons and an All-New England First-Team nod in 2021. In the NFL, his most notable win has been making an active roster as an undrafted free agent and debuting in regular-season play.
Collegiate Highlights
During his time with the Framingham State Rams, Onujiogu established himself as one of the most decorated defensive players in the MASCAC. His 2019 campaign produced his first MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year honor and a First-team All-MASCAC selection, and he repeated both honors in 2021. He capped his college career with All-New England First-Team recognition, signaling that his impact extended well beyond his own conference.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his conference awards, Onujiogu’s professional debut against the Arizona Cardinals stands out as his signature NFL performance to date. Recording three tackles in 17 snaps showed that his college production could translate against professional competition. Continued work on Seattle’s practice squad and active roster has given him a steady platform to build on those early results.
Joshua Onujiogu Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joshua Onujiogu grew up in Wareham, Massachusetts, where his athletic interests were nurtured from a young age. Public details about his immediate family are limited, and verifiable information about his parents and siblings has not been widely documented. His path from a small coastal town to the NFL reflects a tight-knit local support system that helped him pursue his football dreams.
Personal Life
Onujiogu keeps his personal life largely private, and confirmed information about a spouse, partner, or children has not been publicly reported. He maintains an active presence on social media, including his Instagram account at j_uno91, where fans can follow updates about his training and career. Outside of football, his roots in Wareham remain a defining part of his identity.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Joshua Onujiogu continues to be part of the Seattle Seahawks organization after being waived/injured in August 2024. His history of practice squad elevations and active roster stints suggests he remains a depth option for the Seahawks’ linebacker room. With continued health, he will look to re-establish himself in Seattle’s defensive rotation and add to his body of NFL work.
The 2025 season represents an opportunity for Onujiogu to build on his 2022 debut, in which he posted three tackles against the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks’ defensive scheme and linebacker rotation will shape his chances of carving out a larger role on game day. His MASCAC background and proven tackling instincts give him a foundation to compete for more defensive snaps.
For Onujiogu, the outlook in 2025 is about consistency and opportunity. Remaining healthy and staying within the Seahawks’ system are the immediate priorities, while productive performances in practice and preseason action could translate into more regular-season playing time. His journey from Wareham High School to the NFL remains one of the more determined stories on Seattle’s roster.