Deji Olatoye
| No. 30 Atlanta Falcons | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Date of birth: | July 20, 1991 | ||||||||||
| Place of birth: | Cleveland, Ohio | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 205 lb (93 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Dublin Scioto (OH) | ||||||||||
| College: | North Carolina A&T | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2014 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2015 | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Ayodeji "Deji" Olatoye (born July 20, 1991) is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina A&T. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens.
He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League.
Early years
Olatoye attended Dublin Scioto High School in Dublin, Ohio. While there he was a three-year letterman. He also earned All-Central District Division II honors. As a senior he played in seven games and recorded 49 tackles and one interception which was returned for a touchdown.
While in high school, Olatoye also lettered in basketball three times and was the team's starting power forward as a senior. He also lettered in soccer and track and field. In track, he set the school record in the high jump with a mark of 6-foot, 4-inches and also ran the third leg in the 4 × 400 metres relay.
College career
Olatoye originally began his college career at the University of Colorado, where he graduated from with a degree in mass communications. He redshirted his first season in 2009. In 2010, he recorded six special teams tackles and one forced fumble. In 2011, he recorded 10 tackles and one pass defensed in four games.
In 2012, Olatoye transferred to North Carolina A&T where he started 10 games, recording 30 tackles, seven passes defensed, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Then as a senior in 2013, he played in 11 games recording 39 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed.[1] He was a member of a defense that allowed 277.9 total yards-per-game, including 187.6 passing, and just 16.8 points-per-game.
Professional career
| Ht | Wt | 40-yd dash | 10-yd split | 20-yd split | 20-ss | 3-cone | Vert | Broad | BP | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 in | 198 lb | 4.46 s | 1.57 s | 2.59 s | 4.32 s | 7.12 s | 35½ in | 10 ft 9 in | 13 reps | ||||||||||
| All values from Oklahoma pro day.[2] | |||||||||||||||||||
Baltimore Ravens
After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, Olatoye signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 12, 2014.[1] He was waived on August 25 and signed to the practice squad.[1] He was released on September 3.
Kansas City Chiefs
On October 8, 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs signed him to the practice squad after Phillip Gaines and Chris Owens suffered injuries.[1] On December 30, he was re-signed by the Chiefs to a reserve/futures contract.[3] He was cut from the practice squad on September 8, 2015.
Dallas Cowboys
On September 9, 2015, Olatoye was signed to the Dallas Cowboys pracitice squad.[4][5] After releasing defensive back Corey White, the Cowboys promoted him to the active roster on November 18.[6][7] His first start came in the fifteenth game of the season against the Buffalo Bills in place of an injured Morris Claiborne. He registered five tackles, one pass defensed and an interception.
In 2016, he was used at cornerback and safety during training camp. He was having a solid preseason until the last game against the Houston Texans, when he struggled after being targeted by the opposing quarterbacks. On September 3, he was released after being passed on the depth chart by Dax Swanson.[8]
Atlanta Falcons
On September 5, 2016, the Atlanta Falcons signed Olatoye to their practice squad.[9] He was promoted to the active roster on November 23, 2016.[10]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Paylor, Terez A. (October 9, 2014). "Chiefs sign cornerback Deji Olatoye to practice squad". KansasCity.com. The Kansas City Star. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Deji Olatoye, DS #88 CB, Nebraska". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
- ↑ http://www.kffl.com/player/30023/nfl/deji-olatoye
- ↑ George, Brandon (September 9, 2015). "Brandon George (of the Dallas Morning News) Tweet". Retrieved November 29, 2015.
The Dallas Cowboys have a 10th practice squad player now: CB Deji Olatoye from North Carolina A&T. Wearing No. 29.
- ↑ Kahn, Jeffrey (September 9, 2015). "Dallas Cowboys add CB Deji Olatoye, complete practice squad". 247sports.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ↑ Phillips, Rob (November 18, 2015). "Cornerback Signed; Rookie LB Nzeocha Activated; Practice Squad Moves". DallasCowboys.com. Dallas Cowboys. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ↑ Crispt, Scott (November 18, 2015). "Cowboys Promote CB Deji Olatoye to Active Roster". NBCDFW.com. KXAS-TV. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ↑ Helman, David. "Three Former Draft Picks Among Cowboys' Cuts; McFadden Moved To NFI". DallasCowboys.com.
- ↑ "Falcons Sign Johnson, Olatoye to Practice Squad". AtlantaFalcons.com. September 5, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ↑ Jackson, Curtis (November 23, 2016). "Falcons Promote CB Olatoye, Release RB Ridley". AtlantaFalcons.com.