Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
Ifomeno Ekpre-Olomu is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League. He played college football for the [Oregon 2011 Oregon Ducks football team|Ducks football|Oregon Ducks] and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Early life
Ekpre-Olomu, who is of Nigerian descent, attended Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, California and played both running back and defensive back. He was named to the 2010 California All-State Defensive first-team, All-Southern Section Defensive first-team and was the Sierra League MVP.Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Ekpre-Olomu was listed as the No. 17 cornerback in the nation in 2011.
College career
Over the course of three seasons at [University of University of Oregon Ducks football|Oregon Ducks football|Oregon], Ekpre-Olomu helped the Ducks to a 35–5 record with three consecutive post-season bowl victories. He was praised by Duck's longtime secondary coach John Neal as, " the best player I've ever coached.” Despite being projected as a late first-round draft selection in the 2014 NFL draft, Ekpre-Olomu decided to return for his senior season at the University of Oregon to complete his degree in general social science.As a true freshman in 2011, Ekpre-Olomu played in all 14 games while recording 34 tackles for the Ducks.
He was named first-team All-Pac-12 Conference and third-team All-American by the Associated Press as a sophomore in 2012 after starting 13 games and recording 59 tackles with four interceptions.
As a junior in 2013, Ekpre-Olomu was named first-team All-Pac-12 for the second consecutive year while also earning first-team all-America status from ESPN and was a second-team all-America according to no less than four organizations, including the prestigious Walter Camp Football Foundation. Starting in all 13 games, he recorded 84 tackles with three interceptions.
The 2014 season featured #3 Oregon against #7 Michigan State in a highly anticipated game considered to be the best non-conference match-up of the season. Oregon's win over #7 Michigan State was sealed after a game-changing interception by Ekpre-Olomu. Later in the year, Ekpre-Olomu sustained a knee injury which ended his season prior to the 2015 Rose Bowl, in which Oregon received the second seed for the new College Football Playoff. Phil Steele called Ekpre-Olomu the best cornerback in the NCAA.