Oli Udoh Bio
Olisaemeka Udoh, known professionally as Oli Udoh, is an American professional football offensive tackle competing in the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and playing at approximately 325 pounds, he has built a career as a developmental and swing tackle since entering the league in 2019. After beginning his professional journey with the Minnesota Vikings, Udoh has continued to add depth and experience to multiple offensive line units across the league.
Born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Udoh has journeyed from a small-city high school program to the highest level of professional football. Over the course of his NFL career, he has appeared in 74 games and made 22 starts, carving out a role as a reliable reserve and spot starter while moving between several organizations.
Early Life and Background
Olisaemeka Udoh was born on February 14, 1997, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Benjamin Udoh and Rita Udoh. Raised in a supportive household, he grew up in a community with a deep appreciation for football and athletics. The city of Fayetteville, long associated with military families and Southern sporting tradition, offered an early environment in which competitive sports were a central part of youth life.
Udoh attended Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, where he first developed as a football player. He began his playing career on the defensive line before moving to the offensive side of the ball as a senior, a transition that helped shape his long-term professional outlook. His senior season ended with second-team Cape Fear Region honors, and he contributed to a program that reached the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Beyond football, Udoh was recognized as an NCHSAA student-athlete honoree in both 2012 and 2013. In his final high school season, he also lettered in track and field, recording a top shot put throw of 44 feet 5 inches, a mark that reflected the kind of explosive strength that would later define his offensive line profile.
Path to the NFL
After completing high school, Udoh accepted a scholarship to play college football at Elon University, home of the Elon Phoenix. He redshirted during the 2014 season before working his way into the starting lineup, and from that point forward he never missed a game. Across his college career, he accumulated 45 starts, an impressive run of durability that caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Udoh earned academic recognition in the Colonial Athletic Association Football Academic All-Conference Team in both 2015 and 2016, demonstrating a balance between classroom performance and on-field production. His senior season in 2018 marked the peak of his college development, as he was named a Phil Steele Football Championship Subdivision First Team All-American and was invited to participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, two honors that confirmed his readiness for professional football.
Oli Udoh Career
Early Career with the Minnesota Vikings (2019–2023)
The Minnesota Vikings selected Udoh in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 193rd overall pick. He entered the league as a developmental tackle, working to refine his technique and adjust to the speed of professional pass rushers. Throughout his Vikings tenure, he appeared in a steady rotation of games, gradually building his reputation as a dependable depth piece.
Udoh’s time in Minnesota included a notable interruption in 2020, when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on July 29 before being activated on August 13. He re-signed with the Vikings on March 18, 2023, but a quad injury suffered in Week 2 of that season led to a placement on injured reserve on September 19, 2023. He finished his Vikings career having grown into a valued locker room presence and a player capable of filling in at multiple offensive tackle positions.
New Orleans Saints (2024)
On March 19, 2024, Udoh signed with the New Orleans Saints, opening a new chapter in his professional journey. He quickly integrated into the Saints’ offensive line room and provided valuable depth throughout the season. During the 2024 campaign, he appeared in 14 games and earned one start, demonstrating his continued ability to contribute when called upon.
Tennessee Titans (2025–Present)
On April 17, 2025, Udoh signed with the Tennessee Titans, joining a franchise in the midst of an offensive line rebuild. His arrival added experienced depth to the tackle group, and he was expected to compete for a role as a swing tackle and situational contributor. The move reflected the Titans’ interest in adding versatile veterans capable of stepping into starting duty when necessary.
Driving Style and Strengths
While offensive linemen are not often described in driving-style terms, Udoh’s on-field identity is built on length, leverage, and positional versatility. Listed at 6 feet 6 inches with a frame near 325 pounds, he combines the size to anchor against power rushers with the footwork developed across years of starting experience. His college background of 45 consecutive starts, paired with his familiarity with both left and right tackle, has made him an attractive option for teams seeking reliable offensive line depth.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Udoh’s professional career came when he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, validating his long climb from high school defensive lineman to NFL offensive tackle. He has surpassed 70 career games played and earned more than 20 starts, a marker of consistent availability in a position group where injuries frequently reshuffle depth charts. His 2018 Phil Steele FCS First Team All-American selection also stands out as a signature pre-professional achievement.
Oli Udoh Career Wins
While offensive linemen are rarely credited with traditional win totals the way skill players are, Udoh’s career has been marked by team success and individual milestones that reflect his value. Across his time with the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans, he has contributed to offensive line units that supported productive rushing attacks and protected quarterbacks under pressure.
Professional Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Udoh has appeared in 74 career NFL games with 22 starts, numbers that place him among the more active reserve tackles of his draft class. His 14 appearances and one start with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 represented his most extensive single-season action outside of Minnesota. The combination of durability, versatility, and team-first play has defined his professional résumé.
Other Performances
Udoh’s pre-professional resume includes his 2018 Phil Steele Football Championship Subdivision First Team All-American recognition, his invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, and his back-to-back CAA Football Academic All-Conference honors in 2015 and 2016. He also earned First-team All-CAA recognition in 2018, capping a college career that featured 45 starts for the Elon Phoenix.
Oli Udoh Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Olisaemeka Udoh was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, by his father, Benjamin Udoh, and his mother, Rita Udoh. The family supported his early athletic development, and the Fayetteville community provided the foundation for his growth as a football player and track and field athlete. His Nigerian-influenced family name and Southern upbringing together reflect the diverse background that has shaped his path.
Personal Life
Udoh has generally kept his personal life private, with limited public details about marital status or children. His professional journey has taken him from North Carolina to Minnesota, Louisiana, and Tennessee, and he continues to build his legacy as a dependable NFL offensive tackle.
2025 Season Performance
Udoh’s 2025 campaign with the Tennessee Titans represents a fresh opportunity after his 14-game, one-start season with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. Joining the Titans on April 17, 2025, he entered a roster that was actively reshaping its offensive line and looked to compete for a meaningful role in the rotation.
Throughout the 2025 season, Udoh contributed as a versatile depth piece, providing tackle flexibility and experience to a young Titans offensive line room. His ability to line up on either side of the formation made him a valuable insurance policy for the starting five, and his track record of availability offered stability in a position group often affected by injuries.
Looking ahead, Udoh’s continued reliability, combined with his professional maturity and positional versatility, positions him as a candidate for sustained NFL employment. Whether as a swing tackle, spot starter, or core reserve, he remains the kind of dependable offensive lineman that teams consistently seek out, and his career arc suggests further opportunities in the seasons to come.