Edefuan Ulofoshio (born January 23, 2000)[1] is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington.

Edefuan Ulofoshio
refer to caption
Ulofoshio talking to press ahead of the 2024 CFP National Championship.
No. 48 – Buffalo Bills
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (2000-01-23) January 23, 2000 (age 24)
Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:239 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada)
College:Washington (2018–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 5 / pick: 160
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life and high school

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Ulofoshio grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and attended South Anchorage High School before his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada following his freshman year of high school.[2][3][4] Ulofoshio had a stellar senior season at Bishop Gorman High School racking up 100 tackles with 15.5 going for a loss.[5] Ulofoshio decided to walk-on to play for the Washington Huskies.[6][7]

College career

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In Ulofoshio's first career play against the Oregon State Beavers, Ulofoshio forced a fumble on the opening kickoff.[8] Ulofoshio finished his first career season in 2018 with two tackles and two forced fumbles.[9] In week eleven of the 2019 season, Ulofoshio had a breakout game notching a team-leading nine tackles and a sack and a half in a 19–7 win over Oregon State and being named the Pac-12 defensive player of the week.[10] Ulofoshio finished the 2019 season with 47 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble.[11] In week one of the 2020 season, he recorded ten tackles, four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery, in a win over Oregon State.[12] He finished the 2020 season with 47 tackles with one being for a loss, a sack, four pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.[13] For his performance on the 2020 season he was named an honorable mention All American.[14] He finished the 2021 season with 51 tackles with two and a half being for a loss, and a forced fumble.[15] However, Ulofoshio missed 14 consecutive games spanning from the last six of 2021 and the first eight of 2022 with a season ending arm injury in 2021 and a torn ACL in 2022.[16] In 2022 Ulofoshio only played in five games making just ten tackles.[17] Ulofoshio opened the 2023 season by being named a team captain for the Huskies.[18] In week four of the 2023 season, Ulofoshio recorded his first career interception and returned it for a touchdown, in a win over California.[19] In the 2023 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, Ulofoshio recorded six tackles, as he helped the Huskies beat Oregon and win the Pac-12.[20] For Ulofoshio's performance on the 2023 season he was named first-team all Pac-12, and second team All American.[21] Ulofoshio was also named a semi-finalist of the Butkus Award.[22]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+12 in
(1.84 m)
236 lb
(107 kg)
32+78 in
(0.84 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.56 s 1.59 s 2.65 s 4.33 s 7.69 s 39.5 in
(1.00 m)
10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)
21 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[23][24]

Ulofoshio was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 160th overall pick in the fifth round in the 2024 NFL draft.[25] The Bills acquired the 160th overall selection in a trade with the Green Bay Packers for the 91st overall pick.

References

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  1. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Edefuan Ulofoshio, Linebacker, Washington Huskies". Sports Illustrated. August 14, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  2. ^ Reed, Josh (February 29, 2024). "Edefuan Ulofoshio is poised to be the next Alaskan in the NFL". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Caple, Christian (May 15, 2019). "From Anchorage to Las Vegas to Seattle: Is LB Edefuan Ulofoshio the next walk-on to contribute at Washington?". The Athletic. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Western, Evan (February 28, 2024). "Edefuan Ulofoshio discusses journey from Alaska to walk-on to CFP title game to NFL". Acme Packing Company. SB Nation. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  5. ^ Vorel, Mike (September 1, 2021). "By following his family's example, UW linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio dragged his dreams into the daylight". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  6. ^ Vorel, Mike (October 14, 2020). "The Ulofoshio Effect: Why Washington's former walk-on could be the key to a resurgent run defense". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Gordon, Sam (July 21, 2023). "Edefuan Ulofoshio of Washington rides resolve to scholarship, stardom". The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  8. ^ Vorel, Mike (November 22, 2019). "In the middle of UW's defense, the (future) doctor — Edefuan Ulofoshio — will see you now". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  9. ^ "Edefuan Ulofoshio 2018 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Vorel, Mike (November 9, 2022). "After battling back from injury, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio is ready for a more significant role with Huskies". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "Edefuan Ulofoshio 2019 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  12. ^ Martin, Mike (November 16, 2020). "Ulofoshio Has Greatly Advanced his Husky Career with his 3 OSU Showings". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  13. ^ "Edefuan Ulofoshio 2020 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Tomshoff, Roman (July 17, 2023). "What Should Be Expected From a Healthy Edefuan Ulofoshio?". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  15. ^ "Edefuan Ulofoshio 2021 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  16. ^ Vorel, Mike (April 18, 2023). "How UW Huskies linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio is utilizing 'obnoxious focus' to excel after injuries". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  17. ^ "Edefuan Ulofoshio 2022 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  18. ^ Vorel, Mike (September 5, 2023). "UW linebackers Alphonzo Tuputala, Edefuan Ulofoshio are out to earn everything". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  19. ^ Vorel, Mike (September 27, 2023). "Edefuan Ulofoshio and Dominique Hampton exorcise demons in UW's win over Cal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  20. ^ Williams, Van (December 2, 2023). "College Football: Anchorage's Edefuan Ulofoshio wins Pac-12 title with Huskies, moves up to No. 3 all-time in tackles". Alaska Sports Report. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  21. ^ "Husky walk-on turned All-American sets sights on career in pediatrics". University of Washington. December 27, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  22. ^ Raley, Dan (November 7, 2023). "Then There Were 12: Ulofoshio Named Butkus Award Semifinalist". Yardbarker. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  23. ^ "Edefuan Ulofoshio Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  24. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Edefuan Ulofoshio College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  25. ^ Wojton, Nick (April 27, 2024). "2024 NFL draft: Bills select LB Edefuan Ulofoshio in Round 5, No. 160 overall". Bills Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
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