Ifeatu Melifonwu
No. 6 – Detroit Lions
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1999-05-02) May 2, 1999
Grafton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Grafton
College:Syracuse (2017–2020)
NFL Draft:2021 / Round: 3 / Pick: 101
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2023
Total tackles:57
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:11
Interceptions:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Ifeatu Christian-David Melifonwu // ⓘ (born May 2, 1999) is an American football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Syracuse and was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Early years

Melifonwu attended Grafton High School in Grafton, Massachusetts. He played defensive back, running back and wide receiver in high school. A standout athlete, Melifonwu also played basketball, ran track, and even played a year of lacrosse. Melifonwu committed to Syracuse University to play college football.[1][2] He is of Nigerian descent.[3]

College career

Melifonwu played at Syracuse from 2017 to 2020. After redshirting his first year in 2017, he played in 29 games over the next three seasons. He finished his career with 88 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. After his junior season in 2020, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.[4][5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2+1⁄2 in
(1.89 m)		 205 lb
(93 kg)		 32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m)		 8+7⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		4.48 s1.48 s2.57 s4.36 s7.01 s41.5 in
(1.05 m)		11 ft 2 in
(3.40 m)		16 reps
All values from Pro Day[6][7][8][9]

Melifonwu was drafted in the third round, 101st overall, by the Detroit Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft.[10] Melifonwu signed his four-year rookie contract with Detroit on July 23, 2021.[11]

On September 22, 2021, Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve after suffering a thigh injury in Week 2.[12] He was activated on November 29. On June 1, 2022, Melifonwu started snaps as both a cornerback and a safety.[13]

On December 24, 2023, Melifonwu intercepted a pass from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens to end the game, clinching the Detroit Lions' first division win since 1993, and the first NFC North title for the Lions.[14]

Personal life

His brother, Obi Melifonwu, is also a football player.[15][16]

References

  1. ↑ Parello, Joe (July 3, 2016). "Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu verbally commits to Syracuse". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  2. ↑ Bailey, Stephen (July 3, 2016). "2017 Massachusetts DB Ifeatu Melifonwu commits to SU". New York Upstate. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  3. ↑ Rogers, Justin. "Lions close out Day 2 of draft with Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu". The Detroit News.
  4. ↑ Carlson, Chris (December 18, 2020). "Syracuse football's Ifeatu Melifonwu declares early for NFL Draft". syracuse.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Syracuse's Ifeatu Melifonwu of Grafton declares for NFL Draft". Worcester Telegram. December 18, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Ifeatu Melifonwu Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse, CB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Detroit Lions select Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu with No. 101 pick in 2021 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Ifeatu Melifonwu 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  10. ↑ Birkett, Dave (April 30, 2021). "Detroit Lions take Ifeatu Melifonwu, athletic Syrcause CB, in Round 3 of 2021 NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  11. ↑ Links, Zachary (July 23, 2021). "NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/23/21". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ Reisman, Jeremy (September 22, 2021). "Lions place Ifeatu Melifonwu on IR, sign Daryl Worley from practice squad". Pride Of Detroit. SB Nation. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  13. ↑ Chirco, Vito (June 1, 2022). "Ifeatu Melifonwu Reacts to Playing Safety". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Snags game-clinching interception". CBS Sports. CBS. December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Will Grafton see two Melifonwu brothers in the NFL next year?". Grafton Common. January 5, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  16. ↑ Mink, Nate (March 8, 2018). "SU football CB hopes to follow in NFL brother's footsteps (video)". syracuse.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
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