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Ifeatu Melifonwu

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Ifeatu Melifonwu
No. 5 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PositionSafety
Roster status
Active
Personal information
Born (1999-05-02) May 2, 1999 (age 27)
Grafton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight
210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolGrafton
CollegeSyracuse (2017–2020)
NFL draft2021: 3rd round, 101st overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Total tackles125
Forced fumbles1
Fumble recoveries2
Sacks5.5
Pass deflections14
Interceptions3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ifeatu Christian-David Melifonwu // ⓘ (born May 2, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Early life

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Melifonwu attended Grafton High School in Grafton, Massachusetts. He played defensive back, running back and wide receiver in high school. A standout athlete, Melifonwu also played basketball, ran track, and even played a year of lacrosse. Melifonwu committed to Syracuse University to play college football.[1][2] He is of Nigerian descent.[3]

College career

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Melifonwu played at Syracuse from 2017 to 2020. After redshirting his first year in 2017, he played in 29 games over the next three seasons. He finished his career with 88 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. After his junior season in 2020, he declared for the 2021 NFL draft.[4][5]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2+1⁄2 in
(1.89 m)		205 lb
(93 kg)		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m)		8+7⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		4.48 s1.48 s2.57 s4.36 s7.01 s41.5 in
(1.05 m)		11 ft 2 in
(3.40 m)		16 reps
All values from Pro Day[6][7][8][9]

Detroit Lions

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Melifonwu was drafted in the third round, 101st overall, by the Detroit Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft.[10] Melifonwu signed his four-year rookie contract with Detroit on July 23, 2021.[11] On September 22, Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve after suffering a thigh injury in Week 2.[12] He was activated on November 29.

On June 1, 2022, Melifonwu started snaps as both a cornerback and a safety.[13]

On December 24, 2023, Melifonwu intercepted a pass from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens to end the game, clinching the Lions' first division title since 1993, and the first NFC North title for the Lions.[14]

In 2024, Melifonwu suffered an ankle injury during training camp, causing him to be placed on injured reserve. Mid-season when the Lions opened his 21-day practice window, he dislocated his finger keeping him out for another month. He was able to return at the end of the season and impact his team. In Week 16 against the Chicago Bears, he knocked down a pass on fourth down.[15]

Miami Dolphins

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On March 13, 2025, Melifonwu signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.[16][17] Melifonwu made 16 appearances (including eight starts) for the Dolphins during the regular season, recording one interception, one pass defended, one sack, and 53 combined tackles.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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On July 30, 2026, Melifonwu signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[18] Melifonwu was released by the Buccaneers as a part of final roster cuts on August 30; he was re-signed to the team's practice squad the following day.[19][20] On September 30, Melifonwu was promoted to the active roster.[21]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFmbFRYdsTD
2021DET 74151230.00000.000300200
2022DET 10114950.51000.000200000
2023DET 176332493.0423517.5240810000
2024DET 3310821.01000.000000000
2025MIA 1685331221.01100.000100000
Career 532212584415.5733511.72401410200

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFmbFRYdsTD
2023DET 33161152.01000.000000000
2024DET 112020.00000.000000000
Career 44181172.01000.000000000

Personal life

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His brother, Obi Melifonwu, is also a football player.[22][23]

References

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  1. ↑ Parello, Joe (July 3, 2016). "Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu verbally commits to Syracuse". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  2. ↑ Bailey, Stephen (July 3, 2016). "2017 Massachusetts DB Ifeatu Melifonwu commits to SU". New York Upstate. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  3. ↑ Rogers, Justin (April 30, 2021). "Lions close out Day 2 of draft with Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  4. ↑ Carlson, Chris (December 18, 2020). "Syracuse football's Ifeatu Melifonwu declares early for NFL Draft". syracuse.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Syracuse's Ifeatu Melifonwu of Grafton declares for NFL Draft". Worcester Telegram. December 18, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  6. ↑ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Ifeatu Melifonwu Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse, CB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Detroit Lions select Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu with No. 101 pick in 2021 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Ifeatu Melifonwu 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  10. ↑ Birkett, Dave (April 30, 2021). "Detroit Lions take Ifeatu Melifonwu, athletic Syrcause CB, in Round 3 of 2021 NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  11. ↑ Links, Zachary (July 23, 2021). "NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/23/21". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ Reisman, Jeremy (September 22, 2021). "Lions place Ifeatu Melifonwu on IR, sign Daryl Worley from practice squad". Pride Of Detroit. SB Nation. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  13. ↑ Chirco, Vito (June 1, 2022). "Ifeatu Melifonwu Reacts to Playing Safety". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Snags game-clinching interception". CBS Sports. CBS. December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ Twentyman, Tim (January 9, 2025). "After 'frustrating' start to season, Melifonwu looking to finish strong". Detroit Lions. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  16. ↑ Woodyard, Eric (March 11, 2025). "Dolphins add ex-Lions S Melifonwu on $4M deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Dolphins Sign Melifonwu". Miami Dolphins. March 13, 2025.
  18. ↑ Smith, Scott. "Bucs Sign Ifeatu Melifonwu and Travis Shaw". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  19. ↑ Smith, Scott (August 30, 2026). "Jake Browning, Chris Braswell Among Cuts as Bucs Get Roster Down to 53". Buccaneers.com.
  20. ↑ Smith, Scott (August 31, 2026). "Bucs Address Secondary Depth, Add Third QB on First Practice Squad of 2026". Buccaneers.com.
  21. ↑ Smith, Scott. "Roster Moves: Jalen McMillan to IR, QB Added to Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved October 1, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Will Grafton see two Melifonwu brothers in the NFL next year?". Grafton Common. January 5, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  23. ↑ Mink, Nate (March 8, 2018). "SU football CB hopes to follow in NFL brother's footsteps (video)". syracuse.com. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
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