{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Sam Eguavoen | image = | current_team = | number = | position = Linebacker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|2|22}} | birth_place = Garland, Texas, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lbs = 236 | high_school = Garland (TX) Lakeview Centennial | college = Texas Tech (2011–2014) | undraftedyear = 2015 | pastteams = * Saskatchewan Roughriders ({{CFL Year|2016}}–{{CFL Year|2018}}) * Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2022}}) * New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2023}}–{{NFL Year|2024}}) | status = Active | cflstatlabel1 = Total tackles | cflstatvalue1 = 173 | cflstatlabel2 = Sacks | cflstatvalue2 = 4.0 | cflstatlabel3 = Interceptions | cflstatvalue3 = 0 | cfl = samuel-eguavoen | statleague = NFL | statseason = 2024 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 89 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 4.0 | statlabel3 = Forced fumbles | statvalue3 = | statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue4 = 3 | statlabel5 = Pass deflections | statvalue5 = 2 | pfr = EguaSa00 }} '''Samuel Ehi Eguavoen''' (born February 22, 1993) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
==Early life== Eguavoen played high school football at Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland, Texas, recording 118 total tackles, four sacks, one interception, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries his senior year. He earned Second-team District 10-5A honors.<ref name="A"/> He was rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and ESPN.com.<ref name="A"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/115191 |title=Sam Eguavoen |publisher=n.rivals.com |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707005313/https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/115191 |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}</ref> Eguavoen also played basketball at Lakeview Centennial.<ref name="A">{{cite web|url=http://www.texastech.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=487 |title=SAM EGUAVOEN |publisher=texastech.com |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707003412/http://www.texastech.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=487 |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}</ref> He is of Nigerian descent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vergemagazine.co.uk/nfl-to-celebrate-the-leagues-international-diversity-with-helmet-initiative-in-weeks-4-and-5/|title=NFL to Celebrate the League's International Diversity with Helmet Initiative in Weeks 4 and 5 - Alt Sports|first=Taye|last=Rowland-Dixon|date=September 29, 2022}}</ref>
==College career== Eguavoen played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders of Texas Tech University from 2011 to 2014. He played in twelve games, starting five, while totaling 30 tackles his freshman season in 2011 and was named to Rivals.com's Big 12 All-Freshman Team Defense. He appeared in thirteen games, starting nine, and accumulated 52 tackles in 2012. Eguavoen played in thirteen games, all starts, while recording 70 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery his junior year in 2013. He appeared in ten games, all starts, while totaling 74 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one quarterback hurry his senior season in 2014. He also garnered Honorable Mention All-Big 12 recognition in 2014.<ref name="A"/>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 3/8 | weight = 227 | dash = 4.75 | ten split = 1.60 | twenty split = 2.66 | shuttle = 4.34 | cone drill = 7.15 | vertical = 38.5 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 5 | bench = 16 | arm span = 32 3/4 | hand span = 9 1/8 | note = All values from Texas Tech Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Draft Scout Sam Eguavoen College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=106584&DraftYear=2015 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
Eguavoen went undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft and spent the year working in Dallas, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://leaderpost.com/sports/football/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders/samuel-eguavoen-is-making-his-mark-with-the-saskatchewan-roughriders |title=Samuel Eguavoen is making his mark with the Saskatchewan Roughriders |publisher=leaderpost.com |date=June 26, 2016 |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |author=Hamilton, Ian |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707004309/http://leaderpost.com/sports/football/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders/samuel-eguavoen-is-making-his-mark-with-the-saskatchewan-roughriders |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}</ref>
===Saskatchewan Roughriders=== He signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL on February 24, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riderville.com/2016/02/24/riders-add-four-to-roster-3/ |title=RIDERS ADD FOUR TO ROSTER |publisher=riderville.com |date=February 24, 2016 |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707003654/http://www.riderville.com/2016/02/24/riders-add-four-to-roster-3/ |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/transactions/ |title=Transactions |publisher=cfl.ca |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707003934/http://www.cfl.ca/transactions/ |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}</ref> He made his CFL debut on June 30, 2016, recording four defensive tackles against the Toronto Argonauts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/players/samuel-eguavoen/ |title=SAMUEL EGUAVOEN |publisher=cfl.ca |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707003811/http://www.cfl.ca/players/samuel-eguavoen/ |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}</ref> Eguavoen played three seasons for the Roughriders, playing in 38 games for the team and contributing with 159 defensive tackles, 14 special teams tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. Eguavoen, who was scheduled to be a free agent February 12, 2019, was released by the Riders on January 2, 2019, to pursue NFL opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2019/01/02/riders-release-sam-eguavoen-pursue-nfl-opportunity/|title=Riders release Sam Eguavoen to pursue NFL opportunity|date=January 2, 2019|website=CFL.ca|language=en|access-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref>
===Miami Dolphins=== On January 7, 2019, Eguavoen signed with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dolphins sign LB Sam Eguavoen to a reserve/futures contract|url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/07/dolphins-sign-lb-sam-eguavoen-to-a-reserve-futures-contract/|work=Dolphins Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=January 7, 2019}}</ref> During his time with Miami, Equavoen appeared in 66 games and started seven. He also played a large role on special teams throughout his years on the team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samuel Eguavoen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EguaSa00.htm |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on August 19, 2020,<ref>{{cite news |title=Dolphins Place Vince Biegel On Injured Reserve |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/vince-biegel-injured-reserve |website=MiamiDolphins.com |date=August 19, 2020 |accessdate=August 19, 2020}}</ref> and was activated the next day.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dolphins Activate Linebacker Sam Eguavoen |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-activate-linebacker-sam-eguavoen |website=MiamiDolphins.com |date=August 20, 2020 |accessdate=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822034646/https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-activate-linebacker-sam-eguavoen |url-status=dead }}</ref> He started six games during the season, recording 42 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
In 2021 during a week 18 win against the New England Patriots, Eguavoen recovered a fumble in the end zone on the final play of the game to score his first NFL touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - January 9th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202201090mia.htm |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
On March 16, 2022, Eguavoen signed a one-year contract extension with the Dolphins.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Dolphins re-sign LB Eguavoen|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/roster-moves-dolphins-re-sign-eguavoen|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
===New York Jets=== On August 6, 2023, Eguavoen signed with the New York Jets on a one-year contract worth $1,080,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Sign LB Nick Vigil, LB Sam Eguavoen|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-lb-nick-vigil-lb-sam-eguavoen|author=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spotrac.com |title=Sam Eguavoen |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-jets/sam-eguavoen-28300/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |website=Spotrac.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was released on August 29, and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Cuts: Jets Move 31 More to Get Their Roster to 53 Players|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2023-season|author1=Lange, Randy|author2=Greenberg, Ethan|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Add 10 Players from Their Preseason Roster to the Practice Squad|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-practice-squad-2023-season|author=Lange, Randy|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> He was then elevated to the active roster on September 11, 2023, and appeared in the Jets season opening win against the Buffalo Bills as a special teams player.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jets Elevate LB Sam Eguavoen |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-elevate-lb-sam-eguavoen |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=www.newyorkjets.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - September 11th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202309110nyj.htm |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> During the following week against the Dallas Cowboys, Eguavoen made his first appearance on defense as a Jet, alongside more usage on special teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys - September 17th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202309170dal.htm |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was signed to the active roster on September 23.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jets Place T Duane Brown on Injured Reserve; Sign LB Sam Eguavoen|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-t-duane-brown-on-injured-reserve|author=Allen, Eric|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=September 23, 2023}}</ref>
On May 3, 2024, Eguavoen re-signed with the Jets.<ref>{{cite web|title=LB Sam Eguavoen Re-Signs with Jets|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/sam-eguavoen-re-signs-with-jets-05-03-2024|author=Pullano, John|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=May 3, 2024}}</ref> He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Final Cuts {{!}} Jets Move 37 to Get Their Roster to 53 Players |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2024-season |access-date=2025-07-30 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Jets Sign 17 Players to Practice Squad |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-practice-squad-2024-season |access-date=2025-07-30 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}</ref> Eguavoen was promoted to the active roster on September 9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Jets Sign OL Jake Hanson, LB Sam Eguavoen to Active Roster, Place LB Zaire Barnes on IR |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-jake-hanson-sam-eguavoen-place-zaire-barnes-injured-reserve-09-09-2024 |access-date=2025-07-30 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://texastech.com/sports/football/roster/sam-eguavoen/487 Texas Tech Red Raiders bio] *[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-eguavoen-1.html College stats] *[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EguaSa00.htm PFR]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eguavoen, Samuel}} Category:Living people Category:1993 births Category:American football linebackers Category:Canadian football linebackers Category:Texas Tech Red Raiders football players Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players Category:Players of American football from Garland, Texas Category:Players of American football from Collin County, Texas Category:Players of American football from Dallas County, Texas Category:Sportspeople from Edo State Category:American people of Nigerian descent Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent Category:Miami Dolphins players Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:New York Jets players Category:Players of Canadian football from Texas Category:Lakeview Centennial High School alumni