Colts Sign Indoor Football League Star DE Eze Obiora to Reserve/Future Contract

According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the Indianapolis Colts have signed former Indoor Football League star Eze Obiora of the Sioux Falls Storm:

At 6’2″, 255 pounds, Obiora is coming off a season with the Storm in which he had 34 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble in 6 games. He was named the IFL’s Defensive Player of the Week last season in Week 8, when he recorded 4 sacks in one game.

As one of the IFL’s defensive standouts, Obiora was named to the 2nd Team All-IFL at defensive end. Here are some of his highlights:

Originally an undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois in 2013, Obiora initially signed with the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Having grown up as a former rugby player form Manchester, England, Obiora came to the United States in 2008 with the intent to play football. While he initially walked on for Purdue that year, he never played a snap for the Boilermakers.

Instead, Obiora transferred to DuPage College, where he starred from 2009-2010–being named first team All-Region and All-Conference for his sophomore season.

However, Obiora then transferred to Southern Illinois for his final two collegiate seasons (2011-12). In his senior season, Obiora led the team with 8 sacks and also had 12 tackles for loss in 11 games (10 starts).

It’s not the first time that general manager Ryan Grigson has attempted to take a gamble on a former raw rugby player, as the team previously attempted to develop South African rugby star Daniel Adongo into an NFL pass rusher.

While Adongo showed some flashes, he suffered a number of injuries which limited his development. Not to mention, he was recently involved in a domestic violence investigation that led to his subsequent release after two seasons with the team.

Here’s hoping Obiora works out better for the Colts as a potential pass rushing project, as it appears he has some physical skills to work with.