Su Agunloye: Path To The NFL Draft

By Simon Carroll

Adversity in sport is not an uncommon phenomenon. Competition brings unpredictability, and most athletes have endured lows in their careers. What separates the successful ones from those you never learn of is the ability to overcome setbacks, and use the experience to push you to greater heights than ever before.

Adversity came for Su Agunloye just as his college football career was taking off, but now he stands on the verge of achieving a lifelong dream. The FIU defensive lineman sits down with Simon Carroll to discuss his path to the NFL Draft:

USA Born, Nigerian Raised

Olasunkonmi Agunloye with his family

Olasunkonmi ‘Su’ Agunloye isn’t the stereotypical NFL Draft prospect that tells you he was born with a football in his hand. Unlike most kids from Long Island, New York, the sport came a little later to him. But once it did, it remained at the heart of everything to this day:

“Both my parents are immigrants. They came from Nigeria, so I’m the first generation here. I have three sisters that all are doing their own thing in the world, accomplishing great things. I wasn’t initially into sports when I was growing up; being from a Nigerian household, education is the number one priority. The first time I was introduced to football was the sixth or seventh grade; one of my friend’s dads was the coach for the local Pop Warner team. I was a tall, lanky kid, had a huge growth spurt, and he saw a potential athlete in me. I ended up taking the chance, and I’ve not stopped playing it since.”

Football is embedded in American Culture; whether you like it or not, you’re going to learn about the sport as you go through childhood. But Agunloye didn’t have parents who lived that lifestyle, and so it was a learning curve for everyone in the household. And as he found an aptitude for the game, it wouldn’t take long for him and his family to appreciate the additional benefits being good on the gridiron can offer:

“It took a little bit of time for my parents to understand this sport their son was playing. I guess it was just a form of exercise to them until later on at high school when the recruiting began. It was then they realised the true worth of football, and it’s potential to get me a free education. They started to put more time into it, get into the hype and learn more about the lifestyle that I was embarking on.”

Balling As A Bulldog

Su Agunloye embraced most sports through high school, but found that football was his calling fairly early. Starring for the Lindenhurst Bulldogs, Agunloye would play in the trenches on both sides of the ball, helping his team to a 12-0 record and a state championship in his senior year.  All-state honors followed, and recruiting interest grew as Agunloye developed – a process which came quickly:

“At high school, I started out as an athletic kid that needed to learn how to use his body. I was really tall, really skinny, didn’t know my right hand from my left. The head coach, Nick Lombardo, decided to move me up in eighth grade to play with the older guys, so that when my time came I’d be adjusted and ready to play as a sophomore. I played O-line and D-line all four years which was a fun experience. But I emerged as a defensive end, and really started balling as a junior; I posted my highlight tape, just trying to see where it would take me. And a bunch of schools started contacting me. First some FCS schools, then I got Ivy League offers. And after that the bigger schools took notice; Rutgers, Syracuse, and it just took off from there.”

Long Island might not be known as a hotbed of talent for college recruiting. But crucially, there was a pathway for Agunloye to follow at Lindenhurst:

“Jeremy Rucker went to my school. He plays for the Jets now, but he set that foundation for me to follow. You’d see three coaches each day come in to see him, and you’d casually talk to them on occasion and they’d say ‘we’ll be back for you in three years’. It was a joke at first, but then it became a goal. And I’m blessed to say my play gave me similar opportunities.”

In total, Agunloye would enjoy more than twenty scholarship offers from all over the country. But his upbringing remained a big factor in decision making; the right choice would need to be a fine balance between both elite athletics and academics. In the end, one school in Charlottesville, Virginia offered the best of both worlds:

“Education was important to me. It was a huge source of pride to my family that Harvard and Yale came in for me. And the Ivy League was a great opportunity, but I wanted an elite level of football as well as academics. I wanted to play on the big stage – I had offers to go to Power 5 schools, from as far as UCLA to Syracuse close to home. But UVA was that perfect blend of everything for me; a respected institution, amazing campus, and of course has great athletics programs in the ACC.”

Virigina: Growth And Tragedy

As with many draft prospects in this cycle, Su Agunloye’s career spanned a period of time where the whole world was gripped by a pandemic. For Agunloye that came his first year at Virginia, making a baptism of fire all the more challenging:

“I get on campus in July 2020, and you’re in the midst of COVID. It was like nothing you’ll ever experience; you’re doing intense exercise with a mask on. I was obviously trying to adjust to these college workouts while having a muzzle on my face, like trying to run and stuff like that. You’d be isolated from your teammates and staying in very small groups. You had to be disciplined too; for the seniors it could have been their last year, and you didn’t want to take that away from them. It took some adjusting but in the end the whole thing made us all incredibly close. We created some real bonds, despite it being an awful time for everyone all over the world. And it happening right at the beginning of college for me, I think it helped me become a man much quicker.”

Much like he did at high school, Agunloye quickly caught up with the speed of the game at Virginia. Blessed with size and athleticism, he was able to become a key contributor on the Cavaliers’ defensive line:

“My sophomore year, I was able to put some good things on tape. When I first got to UVA I was a defensive end, about 250, 260lbs. We’d play a four man front, and I would tend to line up as a 4i. And as time passed, my dedication to the weight room and nutrition started to pay off; and with my size and athleticism they moved me down to a three technique, and I really made some plays at that position. From there on I felt comfortable across the line, and though I see myself as that 3-4i guy, you can line me up from the zero out.”

Whilst 2022 was a success for Agunloye’s personal journey, it will be remembered in Charlottesville for something much more devastating. On November 13th, just a day after losing to Pitt, three members of the University of Virginia football team were fatally shot on a charter bus returning from a class field trip. Wide receivers Devin Chandler and Lavel Davis Jr., and linebacker D’Sean Perry were killed, and two other teammates injured after a former teammate opened fire. As Agunloye points out, there’s no rulebook for how young adults cope with such trauma and heartbreak:

“That season was really bittersweet. I felt I’d had a good year, and I was starting to get some really good playing time. But it was all put into perspective when that tragedy broke out. And it was one of the hardest things I’ll ever have to go through. There’s not many words you can use to describe losing three of your teammates, but it was utterly devastating. The potential they had, their futures, and just how great people they were, all lost. I’m just thankful that I had so many guys I could lean on; my teammates, roommates, being comfortable enough to cry around them and grieve when you’re looking for answers. Why did this happen? Why them? And through my faith, and the people around me, it helped me through the hard time. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about them.”

Following The Herd

The following season would be the last for Su Agunloye at Virginia. A freak injury in the first game against Tennessee ended the year before it started; Agunloye was celebrating a fumble recovery on the sidelines when his knees buckled and he tore both patella tendons. Despite the setback, the versatile defensive lineman had not only played 31 games for the Cavaliers, but had also earned a degree in Political Science from one of the most prestigious universities in America.

It was time for a new chapter. Agunloye wanted to find a home where he could bounce back from the injury and show the world he could still play at a higher level. All he needed was the faith of coaches and teammates; something that Marshall University offered:

“A couple of schools reached out. But Coach Huff, he’s a great coach and a great person. He called me every day. The D-Line coach, Coach [Ralph] Street, he’d check in on me daily and see what I was thinking. And one of my good friends from UVA, Mike Green, he played there too, and told me they had a spot for me and we could do great things. I felt really wanted, and that was the environment I was looking for.”

Unfortunately for Agunloye, the recovery from the knee injuries would significantly limit the impact he had in Huntington. Just eight tackles with the Thundering Herd in 2024 alludes to the frustration Agunloye endured whilst getting back to his best:

“Injury is a crazy thing. Sometimes your body co-operates, sometimes it won’t. I was desperate to build myself back up and get my confidence back, get my legs back under me again. It was definitely a setback, and it was mentally tough too, knowing I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted to and wasn’t having the dominant year like I was supposed to. I loved the school, my coaches and teammates, and it was great to enjoy some team success that season too with a conference title. Some things just don’t work out, but I wouldn’t change it – I was proud of how I preserved through it and bounced back the next year at FIU.”

Flourishing In Florida

Su Agunloye hit the transfer portal once more, eager to find a home for his final year of college football. Still boasting a 6’6” frame and armed with some strong tape from his Virginia career, Agunloye represented an intriguing reclamation project for a coach with vision. That coach would be former NFL defensive end Kenechi Udeze, who was on the lookout for an impact player as defensive line coach at Florida International:

“FIU was perfect. Obviously the environment is great, and you always want to play in the warm if you can. But what really took me there was Coach Udeze. He was a first-round pick back in his day, and he just told me he saw so much potential in me. He has a wealth of coaching experience, so that confidence in my ability meant a lot to me. Everything he said to me, from how I could be a leader in the locker room to how he wanted to utilise me on defense, it all made sense. I trusted him to rebuild me into something better, and that’s exactly what he did.”

Dominating as a defensive tackle for the Panthers, Agunloye would go on to have the best season of his career down in Miami. Lining up predominantly on the interior, Agunlonye played in every game, recording 25 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s and 2.5 sacks. That contribution saw FIU get to a bowl game for the first time since 2019, and a defense that ranked 36th in the nation against the run. When he arrived at Pitbull Stadium, Agunloye only had 2025 on his mind – but it wasn’t long before his level of play rekindled a dream he’d had since he was a child:

“When I got to FIU, I was really concerned this would just be a last shot. Just go down there and give my all; what did I have to lose at that point in my life? I was just so happy to be playing the sport that I love again. Of course, the NFL has always been in my eyes ever since I got to college. But when you have so many ups and downs in your career, you do wonder if it’s still attainable. But I just went in with the mindset that I was going to do everything I could to be a success. And it worked; God has blessed me with the opportunity to be able to chase this dream, and I’m thankful for it.”

Sleeper

Fit, healthy, and playing at the level he knew he was capable of, Su Agunloye now turns his attention to pursuing an NFL career. An unconventional college path that spanned six years and time with three programs, his journey isn’t one that delivers a resume padded with stats, his name on first round mock drafts or invites to combines. Instead, Agunloye fits the mould of a sleeper draft prospect, one who hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his potential.

The pre-draft process should be kind to Agunloye. His measurements alone will attract attention from scouts looking for size and length on the defensive interior, critical for stacking and shedding blocks and getting into the backfield. At 6’6”, Agunloye sits in the 97th percentile at his position, and a laser-like focus on nutrition and workout regimes has seen him up his body weight close to 315lbs. These figures give Agunloye the versatility in NFL eyes to play as a 3-4 defensive end or 4-3 defensive tackle, a rare and valued commodity.

Working out at Coach Tumbarello Performance in Bonita Springs, Agunloye has stayed fairly local to FIU ahead of his Pro Day there on March 23rd. Embracing the focus on milliseconds and inches, he expects to test strongly for a prospect his size, and wants to put on a show for any scouts heading down to Miami:

“I’m going to run a really good forty. I want to put up really good bench numbers, of course, but it’s the quickness with the strength that’s important. Having both is rare, and to show them that I can move fluidly, it tells them I have the whole package. My training has been totally focused on hitting those numbers, and for the next month I’ll be working towards those goals.”

Aiming High

It’s a long time between a December bowl game and draft weekend. And for smart, dedicated draft prospects like Su Agunloye, it’s four months of opportunity; a chance to be better than people think when you get those rare moments of attention. Recently attending the College Gridiron Showcase, Agunloye was able to show scouts his size and demonstrate his movement. And when it came to talking to teams, someone with his IQ was always going to impress.

All of this is to say that, despite a college career that stalled somewhat before coming down to South Florida, Agunloye is enjoying a modest rise in his draft stock. When it comes to day three of the draft, NFL teams usually have two pots to choose from; those without the desired measurables but heavy on production, and those who have the physical tools but have yet to put it all together. Agunloye comes in as a high-upside project; all he needs is another coach like Kenechi Udeze to unlock the potential.

We discuss comparisons at the next level. Agunloye points to Calais Campbell as someone matching his size and speed, a four-time All-Pro who just completed his eighteenth season in the NFL. Putting yourself in the same bracket as the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year may seem like hubris, but the humble Agunloye is anything but arrogant. Campbell’s 3-4/4-3 versatility and dimensions are uncanny, and if you’re looking for someone to model your game on, why wouldn’t you choose a future Hall of Famer?

Should Agunloye make an NFL roster, he’ll join a long line of pro football players of direct Nigerian descent. David Onyemata, Efe Obada, Emmanuel Ogbah, Joseph Ossai, Osa Odighizuwa and Odafe Oweh are just a few names in the league today, and Agunloye would be honoured to be associated with them:

“I’m a proud Nigerian. And any opportunity I get to represent my culture, I take it. My parents instilled that in me; knowing where you’re from is important, and I’m blessed to have that. Staying true to your roots and taking pride in displaying that to the world is a privilege, and you just hope it gives other Nigerians the ambition and drive to do the same. Who I am and how I was raised has got me this far, and will take me further.”

"I'll Go Kicking And Screaming"

Respectful and introspective, Su Agunloye is a coach’s dream. Embracing hard work and fighting to save his football career has added resolve and belief to a draft prospect who ticks so many of the boxes that this process demands. There’ll be no misconceptions should Agunloye get his shot; he’ll come ready to listen, learn, and improve:

“They’re gonna get a worker. I’ve persevered through so much in my career, I’m not going to let little hiccups take me down. Adversity strengthens you, and I’m not going to let anything stop me from obtaining my goal. I’ll go out there and compete at a high level, and I won’t go out easy. I’ll go kicking and screaming and grasping for every chance. It’s all gas, no brakes for me – I’ll keep that mindset until they tell me I’m done.”

Calm and focused, Agunloye did not surprise me when he says he’s not ‘into the flashy things’; there won’t be a big party over draft weekend. Instead, he’ll be back home with his family in Lindenhurst, patiently waiting for his phone to ring alongside those who have supported him through this journey so far:

“All that matters is hearing that call. It would be an incredible, life changing moment. How many kids from Long Island get an opportunity like that? They’d be the people I’m representing through this process, all the people who have poured into me to get me to this position. All the injuries, the hardship, all the work to get to that last weekend in April. And I know it’s just a foot in the door, and the hard work starts there. But for everyone who has been rooting me on, helping me – I can’t forget a single one of them. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

HEAD OF CFB/NFL DRAFT CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, IS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRITER FOR DAZN AND COVERS THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION.

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A huge thank you to Su for taking the time to talk to us. Everyone at The Touchdown wishes him well in his future career.