Erik Ezukanma
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Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
| No. 13 – DC Defenders | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Wide receiver | ||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | January 25, 2000 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. | ||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Timber Creek (Fort Worth) | ||||||
| College | Texas Tech (2018–2021) | ||||||
| NFL draft | 2022: 4th round, 125th overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||
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Chukwuerika "Erik" Ezukanma (/ɛzuˈkɑːnmə/ ezz-oo-KAHN-mə;[1] born January 25, 2000) is an American professional football wide receiver for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Ezukanma attended Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2015, as a sophomore, he was a second-team all-district selection. The next year, Ezukanma was an AP 6A first-team all-state selection and was named the District 3-6A Offensive MVP.[2] Ezukanma finished his senior season with 37 receptions for 687 yards and nine touchdowns.[3]
On December 20, 2017, Ezukanma signed his letter of intent for Texas Tech as a 4-star recruit.[4]
College career
Ezukanma saw limited playing during his freshman season, appearing in only two games. He caught his first collegiate touchdown from Colt Garret in the Red Raiders' game against Lamar.[5]
Ezukanma was added to the watch list for the Fred Biletnikoff Award in the middle of the 2020 season.[6] On November 28, against Oklahoma State, Ezukanma finished with seven receptions for a career high 183 yards along with two touchdowns.[7] At the end of the season, Ezukanma was named first-team All-Big 12 Conference.[8]
Coming into the 2021 season, Ezukanma was included on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award and the Fred Biletnikoff Award.[9][10] He was also selected to the preseason first-team All-Big 12.[11] Ezukanma broke his arm in the spring prior to the season, but was able to play in the team's season opener against Houston, finishing the game with seven receptions for 179 yards.[12][13] After the conclusion of the regular season, Ezukanma was named second-team All-Big 12.[14]
On December 23, 2021, Ezukanma announced that he would declare for the NFL draft.[15]
Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | Receiving | Rushing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 2018 | Texas Tech | 2 | 2 | 48 | 24.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Texas Tech | 11 | 42 | 664 | 15.8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2020 | Texas Tech | 10 | 46 | 748 | 16.3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Texas Tech | 11 | 48 | 705 | 14.7 | 4 | 10 | 138 | 13.8 | 2 |
| Career | 34 | 138 | 2,165 | 15.7 | 15 | 10 | 138 | 13.8 | 2 | |
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1+7⁄8 in (1.88 m) | 209 lb (95 kg) | 33+1⁄2 in (0.85 m) | 9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 6 ft 6+1⁄4 in (1.99 m) | 4.55 s | 1.57 s | 2.59 s | 4.38 s | 7.20 s | 36.5 in (0.93 m) | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) | 10 reps |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[16][17][18] | ||||||||||||
Miami Dolphins
Ezukanma was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round (125 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.[19] Ezukanma made his NFL debut in Week 18 against the New York Jets, recording his first career catch on a three–yard reception from Skylar Thompson.[20]
He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury on September 29, 2023.[21]
On August 27, 2024, Ezukanma was waived by the Dolphins and re-signed to the practice squad.[22][23] He was promoted to the active roster on December 28.[24]
On August 26, 2025, Ezukanma was waived by the Dolphins as part of final roster cuts.[25]
Jacksonville Jaguars
On August 28, 2025, Ezukanma was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad.[26] He was released on October 7.[27]
DC Defenders
On February 7, 2026, Ezukanma signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL).[28]