Description
IK Enemkpali is a free agent linebacker most recently playing for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Enemkpali has also been a member of the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Louisiana Tech. Enemkpali’s sister, Nneka Enemkpali, was a basketball player for the Texas Longhorns from 2011 until 2015, and was selected by the Seattle Storm in the 2015 WNBA draft in the third round as the twenty-sixth overall pick.
Enemkpali was born in Pflugerville, Texas and attended Pflugerville High School in Texas. Enemkpali was selected to the All-District 25-5A first team and All-Central Texas third team by the American Statesman. He had 64 tackles and 14 sacks in his senior season in high school.
Enrolled at Louisiana Tech and redshirted in 2009; Enemkpali was part of the same freshman class as defensive line mate Justin Ellis who was drafted by the Oakland Raiders. The talented Enemkpali saw action in 11 games (10 starts) at defensive end in 2010 and had 36 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
In 2011, Enemkpali played in 13 games and recorded 33-7.5-3.5 with one forced fumble. In 2012, he started all 12 games and totaled 32-7.5-6 with one pass batted and one forced fumble. His tremendous play led to being selected to the 2012 First Team All-WAC and All-Louisiana First Team in his junior season. For his dominant effort, he was named the 2012 Fred Dean Defensive Player of the Year.
In 12 starts at right defensive end in ’13, he tallied 47-11-5.5 with one pass batted and two interceptions. Enemkpali was one of two linemen in the country to have two interceptions, picking off passes against North Carolina State and North Texas. At the conclusion of the 2013 season, Enemkpali was selected 2013 First Team All-Conference USA and All-Louisiana First Team. He was also selected as the 2013 Willie Roaf Lineman of the Year.
In his rookie season with the New York Jets, he appeared in 6 games, making 3 tackles and defending 2 passes. On August 11th, 2015, Enemkpali got into an altercation with New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith in the locker room and fractured his jaw. The Jets released Enemkpali shortly thereafter. On August 12th, 2015 one day after being waived by the Jets, Enemkpali was claimed by the Buffalo Bills.
The featured size 14 black and white under armour cleats were worn by IK Enemkpali in 2014, his 1st OTA’s (Organized Team Activities) with the Jets. The talented linebacker has signed both cleats in silver with a perfect 10 signature. His #51 is written on the heel of each cleat and they show light use.
