Iowa State’s Enyi Uwazurike taken in fourth round of NFL Draft

Uwazurike overcomes adversity on way to Denver Broncos

Apr. 30, 2022 11:42 am, Updated: Apr. 30, 2022 7:59 pm

Iowa State defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike runs a drill during the NFL Combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The Denver Broncos picked Iowa State’s Enyi Uwazurike in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 116th overall pick Saturday.

The 6-foot-6 defensive lineman was the second Cyclone to be drafted this year, following running back Breece Hall’s second-round selection.

Uwazurike’s path to the NFL required overcoming plenty of adversity personally, academically and athletically.

His father died suddenly while Uwazurike was at Iowa State. He was academically ineligible. The Detroit native didn’t garner recruiting interest from Michigan or Michigan State.

But now he is on an NFL roster.

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