Larry Ogunjobi Bio
Olumide Larry Ogunjobi, known professionally as Larry Ogunjobi, is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 2 in and weighing around 305 lb, he plays in the trenches on the interior defensive line and is recognized for his quick first step against the run and the pass. He played college football for the Charlotte 49ers and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Ogunjobi has also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, building a reputation as a steady rotational defender.
Early Life and Background
Olumide Larry Ogunjobi was born on June 3, 1994, in Livingston, New Jersey. He was raised by Yoruba parents who had immigrated from Nigeria, and his Nigerian heritage remains a central part of his identity. His family later settled in North Carolina, where he grew up and first developed his love for football. The combination of his New Jersey roots and Southern upbringing helped shape the work ethic that has defined his professional career.
Ogunjobi attended Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, North Carolina, where he played high school football and began attracting college-level attention. His size, quickness, and motor made him a promising defensive line prospect coming out of the program. Those traits carried him to the next level, where he eventually became one of the most productive defenders in the early history of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte football program.
Path to the NFL
From 2013 to 2016, Ogunjobi played college football at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, suiting up for the Charlotte 49ers. During his four collegiate seasons, he recorded 217 tackles and 13 sacks, establishing himself as one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the young program’s history. He was named to the All-Conference USA team and earned recognition as one of the top defensive tackles in the region.
Off the field, Ogunjobi double-majored in computer science and biology, ultimately graduating with a degree in computer science in December 2016. Coming out of college, scouting outlets such as CBSSports.com ranked him as the 15th-best defensive tackle in his draft class, projecting him as a fifth or sixth-round pick. He accepted an invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl, where he raised his draft stock by practicing well throughout the week and playing for the North squad. By the time of the NFL draft, analysts at ESPN and NFLDraftScout.com had moved him into second- or third-round territory, and he went on to be selected in the third round, 65th overall, by the Cleveland Browns.
Larry Ogunjobi Career
Early Career with the Cleveland Browns (2017-2020)
The Cleveland Browns selected Ogunjobi in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, and he signed his rookie contract on May 17, 2017, a deal that totaled $3.9 million. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games and posted 17 solo tackles and one sack while the Browns finished the season with an 0-16 record. The experience, though difficult, gave him valuable playing time on the interior of the defensive line.
In 2018, Ogunjobi took a clear step forward, finishing the season with 33 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, and 5.5 sacks. He became a regular starter along the Browns’ defensive front and a key piece of the team’s ongoing rebuild. His continued growth helped anchor the line as Cleveland returned to playoff contention late in his tenure with the club.
Cleveland Browns Playoff Run (2020)
Ogunjobi made his NFL playoff debut on January 10, 2021, when the Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 48-37 in the AFC Wild Card round, recording three assisted tackles in the victory. The following week, Cleveland faced the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round, where Ogunjobi posted one solo tackle in a losing effort. Even in defeat, his presence on the interior line had been a major factor in the Browns’ first postseason appearance in nearly two decades.
Cincinnati Bengals (2021)
On March 19, 2021, Ogunjobi signed a one-year, $6.2 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He started 16 games during the regular season, recording a career-high seven sacks, 49 tackles, and a team-high 12 tackles for loss. His disruptive play helped Cincinnati reach the postseason, but he suffered a season-ending foot injury during the wild card playoff game against the Las Vegas Raiders that required surgery. The injury cut short what had been his most productive statistical season as a professional.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-2024)
On June 21, 2022, after a brief agreement with the Chicago Bears that fell through due to a failed physical, Ogunjobi signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started all 16 games in 2022, recording 48 tackles and 1.5 sacks while serving as a veteran presence on the defensive line. His consistency earned him a longer commitment from the club.
On March 17, 2023, Ogunjobi signed a three-year, $28.75 million contract extension with the Steelers, cementing his role as a long-term starter. In 2023, he finished with 21 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble, adding two tackles in a Wild Card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. In 2024, he recorded his first sack of the season against New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a 37-15 Steelers win. The Steelers released him on March 10, 2025, ending his three-year run in Pittsburgh.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025-Present)
On March 14, 2025, Ogunjobi signed a one-year, $8.3 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, joining a team widely viewed as a Super Bowl contender. Shortly after signing, he was suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. He returned to the field later in the season, looking to add interior pass-rush help to a deep Bills defensive line rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most talked-about moments of Ogunjobi’s career came on November 14, 2019, when he was involved in the on-field incident between Cleveland’s Myles Garrett and Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph, earning a one-game suspension and fine. In January 2021, he helped the Browns end a long playoff drought with a 48-37 win over the Steelers, and in 2021 he set career highs in sacks and tackles for loss with the Bengals. His career totals include 380 tackles, 27.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries through the 2025 season.
Larry Ogunjobi Career Wins
Team and Playoff Highlights
Ogunjobi has been part of winning efforts across multiple franchises, most notably Cleveland’s 48-37 Wild Card victory over Pittsburgh in January 2021 and Pittsburgh’s 37-15 win over the New York Jets in 2024. While he has not played in a Super Bowl, his teams have reached the postseason in three of his first eight NFL seasons. His role on winning defenses has been as a steady interior presence rather than a headline-grabbing stat-sheet stuffer.
Other Performances
Beyond team success, Ogunjobi earned All-Conference USA honors during his time at Charlotte and was invited to the 2017 Senior Bowl, where he was a standout performer along the defensive line. His 13 career college sacks and 27.5 NFL sacks reflect a long track record of disruption in the backfield. He has also been recognized for his leadership and durability, starting the majority of the games he has played since his rookie season.
Larry Ogunjobi Family
Family Background and Heritage
Ogunjobi was born to Yoruba parents who had immigrated from Nigeria, and his Nigerian-American heritage is a meaningful part of his public identity. Growing up in a household that valued education and hard work, he went on to earn a college degree in computer science alongside his football development. His family supported his move from Livingston, New Jersey, to North Carolina, where he finished high school and launched his football career.
Personal Life
Ogunjobi has kept much of his personal life private, and details about a spouse or children are not part of the public record at this time. He is known to use the social media handle “olumide,” reflecting his given first name. Off the field, his academic background in computer science sets him apart from many of his NFL peers and points to interests that extend well beyond football.
2025 Season Performance
Ogunjobi’s 2025 season began with a major change of scenery when he signed a one-year, $8.3 million contract with the Buffalo Bills on March 14, 2025. His debut with Buffalo was delayed by a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, forcing him to miss the early portion of the schedule. Once eligible to return, he rejoined one of the league’s most talented defensive lines and looked to carve out a rotational role.
Through the 2025 season, Ogunjobi has continued to contribute as an interior defender, adding to career totals that now stand at 380 tackles, 27.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He has lined up alongside established Bills defensive linemen, providing veteran depth and a familiar presence against the run. The Bills entered the season as strong AFC contenders, and his experience in big games from prior stops in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh has been a valued asset.
Looking ahead, Ogunjobi’s contract with Buffalo runs through the 2025 season, leaving his long-term future open as the calendar moves toward 2026. Whether he remains in Buffalo or tests free agency again, his track record suggests he will be a dependable piece of an NFL defensive line for years to come. His combination of production, leadership, and postseason experience makes him a player to watch in the second half of the 2025 campaign.
