EU #96

Eyioma Uwazurike

Defensive End · Iowa State

An Iowa State standout who overcame a season-long gambling suspension to become a rotational force on Denver's defensive line.

Eyioma Uwazurike's career has been defined by a long road back after a suspension wiped out an entire season, but he has answered by developing into a productive interior defensive lineman. His 2025 season was the best of his career.

★ First-team All-Big 12 at Iowa State (2021)

★ 15 career sacks and 144 tackles at Iowa State

★ Career-high 39 tackles and 3.5 sacks with Denver in 2025

Path to the league

Uwazurike was a four-year starter at Iowa State, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2021 after twice being named honorable mention, and finished his five collegiate seasons with 144 tackles and 15 sacks. Denver selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 116th overall pick.

Career highlights

Uwazurike was suspended for the entire 2023 season for gambling on NFL games before being reinstated in August 2024. Since returning, he has worked as a rotational piece behind D.J. Jones on Denver's defensive interior, appearing in 23 games across his four seasons with the team.

2025 season recap

Uwazurike posted career highs across the board in 2025, recording 39 tackles and 3.5 sacks over 17 games as Denver's primary No. 2 nose tackle behind D.J. Jones. It marked his most productive and durable season since entering the league.