Benjamin Ijalana (/ˌaɪdʒəˈlɑːnə/ EYE-jə-LAH-nə; born August 6, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Villanova Wildcats and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.
_(cropped).jpg) Ijalana aboard USS George Washington in 2016 | |||||||
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | August 6, 1989 New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 322 lb (146 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Rancocas Valley Regional (Mount Holly, New Jersey) | ||||||
| College: | Villanova | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 2011 / round: 2 / pick: 49 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Early life
editIjalana's parents immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria.[1] A native of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Ijalana attended Willingboro High School in his freshman and sophomore year, before moving to Hainesport Township and transferring to Rancocas Valley Regional High School, where he was a two-way lineman, and district champion in wrestling.[2][3]
College career
editHe started every game at left tackle since his true freshman year at Villanova.[4]
Ijalana was named to the 2010 Outland Trophy watch list as the only Football Championship Subdivision player.[5][6]
Professional career
editPre-draft
editThe Sporting News listed Ijalana as one of the five most "intriguing small-school prospects".[7]
Entering draft day, Ijalana was listed as a second round prospect with the possibility of jumping into the first round. He was projected as a right tackle, following his strong showing as a left tackle in college and his good arm length and hand size. Additionally, he had the ability to fall back as a guard.
Indianapolis Colts
editOn day two of the 2011 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts traded their 53rd and 152nd pick to the Redskins for the 49th pick to draft Ijalana. He was the highest selected Villanova Wildcat since Howie Long in 1981.[8]
Ijalana played four games in his rookie season before tearing his ACL and landing on injured reserve.[9]
A few weeks after being cleared to play, Ijalana tore his ACL again during training camp in 2012.[9] Ijalana was eventually declared out for the 2012 season.[10] He was waived/injured on August 1, 2012, and he was subsequently placed on injured reserve on August 5.
New York Jets
editIjalala was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on September 1, 2013.[11] On April 9, 2016, Ijalana signed a one-year contract extension with the Jets.[12] On March 9, 2017, Ijalana signed a two-year, $11 million contract extension with the Jets.[13][14]
On February 19, 2018, the Jets declined the second-year option on Ijalana's contract, making him a free agent.[15] However on March 16, 2018, Ijalana re-signed with the Jets on a one-year deal.[16] He was placed on injured reserve on August 15, 2018.[17]
Jacksonville Jaguars
editOn August 11, 2019, Ijalana was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[18] He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2019.[19]
Executive career
editOn June 3, 2022, Ijalana was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as a scouting assistant.[20]
References
edit- ^ Fernandez, Bernard (April 27, 2011). "Too big for soccer, Villanova's Ijalana may be ready for NFL". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ Cosentino, Dom. "Jets re-sign backup offensive tackle Ben Ijalana", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 1, 2015. Accessed September 28, 2017. "Ijalana, 25, attended both Willingboro and Rancocas Valley high schools in South Jersey."
- ^ "Ben Ijalana Drafted By The Indianapolis Colts", Villanova Wildcats football, April 29, 2011. Accessed July 18, 2019. "Ijalana, a native of Hainesport, N.J., and a graduate of Rancocas Valley High School, started all 53 games of his Villanova career and helped the Wildcats to a 40-13 record, three NCAA playoff appearances and the 2009 FCS National Championship."
- ^ "Ijalana tackles task of being top lineman at Villanova". Delaware County Daily Times. September 10, 2010.
- ^ "2010 Outland Trophy Watch List Announced". FWAA. June 21, 2010.
- ^ "Villanova's Ben Ijalana named to Outland Trophy Watch list". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 22, 2010.
- ^ Dillon, Dennis (February 20, 2011). "Five sleepers to watch at NFL Scouting Combine". Sporting News. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011.
- ^ "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ a b Wilson, Josh (August 2012). "Ben Ijalana waived, injured - Colts sign Ty Nsekh". StampedeBlue.com.
- ^ "Indianapolis Star". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Lange, Randy (September 1, 2013). "3 Arrive Via Waivers; 7 Added to Practice Squad". New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ^ Smith, Michael David (April 9, 2016). "Jets re-sign offensive tackle Ben Ijalana". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
- ^ Wyatt, David (March 9, 2017). "Jets To Sign Ben Ijalana On 2 Year $11 Mill Deal". GangGreenNation.com.
- ^ Allen, Eric (March 24, 2017). "Jets Re-Sign T Ben Ijalana". NewYorkJets.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
- ^ "Reports: Jets won't pick up Ben Ijalana's option in 2018". GangGreenNation.com. February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Jets Sign Ben Ijalana To One Year Deal". GangGreenNation.com. March 16, 2018.
- ^ Allen, Eric (August 15, 2018). "Jets Place Veteran T Ben Ijalana on Injured Reserve". NewYorkJets.com.
- ^ "Jaguars make roster moves". Jaguars.com. August 11, 2019. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ Oehser, John (August 31, 2019). "Roster reduction: Jaguars move to 53 players". Jaguars.com.
- ^ Jr, Paul A. Esden (June 3, 2022). "Former Jets 'Mean Streak' Starter Is Joining the Eagles: Report". Retrieved March 26, 2023.
External links
edit- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Pro Football Reference
- Villanova Wildcats bio
- New York Jets bio