IYIEGBUNIWE: Pronounced Jo-El, Ee-Yay-Boo-Nee-Way
2018 NFL Draft Selection (Rd. 4, Pick 115 - Chicago Bears)
2018 NFL Combine
2017 Team Captain
2017 Conference USA First Team
2016 Conference USA Honorable Mention
Following the 2017 season, Iyiegubniwe entered into the draft process, attending the NFL Combine along the way, and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round with the 115th overall selection. He joins WKU legend Virgil Livers, one of four retired jerseys in the program, as draft picks by the organization from WKU. He is the sixth-highest draft selection in the common draft era (Since 1967) in program history.
2017 (r-Jr.) | 14/14: Iyiegbuniwe capped what proved to be his final season on The Hill with a bang, leading WKU in tackles (117) and tackles for loss (11.5) before declaring for the NFL Draft with a year of eligibility remaining - the first Hilltopper to do so since Jonathan Dowling (2013). Iyiegbuniwe's 200 career tackles are the sixth-most in a career in the FBS era and his 117 tackles on the season were the third-most in the FBS era. He tallied double-digit tackle performances five times on the year, including two 15-tackle games against Middle Tennessee and Marshall - the second-most in a game in the FBS era. Iyiegbuniwe closed the season with a bang as he racked up 49 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss in the final four games of the season.
2016 (r-So.) | 14/14: Iyiegbuniwe saw his role increase dramatically in 2016, starting all 14 games at outside linebacker for the Hilltoppers. He finished the year with 64 total tackles (39 solo), the fourth-most on the team and most among underclassmen. He added 10 tackles for loss, one of four Hilltoppers to record double-digit TFL numbers and one of two linebackers, which included 3.5 sacks. Iyiegbuniwe led the team at No. 1 Alabama with 10 tackles (seven solo). At Miami (Ohio), he forced his first career fumble and added five quarterback hurries and three pass breakups.
2015 (r-Fr.) | 14/0: Iyiegbuniwe was a major contributor on special teams and as a reserve linebacker as a redshirt freshman, tallying 19 total tackles (14 solo) including a season-high five (three solo) against Miami (Ohio). He appeared in all 14 games and got his first sack and tackle for loss at North Texas, a two-yard loss. Iyiegbuniwe record six total special teams tackles, five coming off kickoff coverage.
2014 (Fr.): Iyiegbuniwe played in the first three games of the season before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He was granted a medical hardship waiver.
HS/Misc.: Iyiegbuniwe was the No. 12 prospect in the Bluegrass by 247Sports.com and came to WKU from South Warren High School under the coaching of Mark Nelson. Though his 2013 season was cut short, Iyiegbuniwe tallied 23 tackles, one interception and scored six touchdowns in four games. In 2012, he tallied 64 tackles, three interceptions and four touchdowns. Iyiegbuniwe was a two-star prospect by Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com.
