Deji Olatoye

Ayodeji "Deji" Olatoye (born July 20, 1991) is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina A&T. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens.

In addition to the Ravens and Falcons, Olatoye has played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League.

High school career

Olatoye attended Dublin Scioto High School in Dublin, Ohio. While there he was a three-year letterman. He also earned All-Central District Division II honors. As a senior, he played in seven games and recorded 49 tackles and one interception which was returned for a touchdown.

In addition to football, Olatoye lettered in basketball three times and was the team's starting power forward as a senior. He also lettered in soccer and track and field. In track, he set the school record in the high jump with a mark of 6-foot, 4-inches and also ran the third leg in the 4 × 400 metres relay.

College career

Olatoye originally began his college career at the University of Colorado, where he graduated from with a degree in mass communications. He redshirted his first season in 2009. In 2010, he recorded six special teams tackles and one forced fumble. In 2011, he recorded 10 tackles and one pass defensed in four games.

In 2012, Olatoye transferred to North Carolina A&T where he started 10 games, recording 30 tackles, seven passes defensed, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. Then as a senior in 2013, he played in 11 games recording 39 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed.^[1] He was a member of a defense that allowed 277.9 total yards-per-game, including 187.6 passing, and just 16.8 points-per-game.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, Olatoye signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 12, 2014.^[3][1] He was waived on August 25 and signed to the practice squad.^[1] He was released on September 3.

Kansas City Chiefs

On October 8, 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs signed him to the practice squad after Phillip Gaines and Chris Owens suffered injuries.^[1] On December 30, he was re-signed by the Chiefs to a reserve/futures contract.^[4] On September 5, 2015, he was waived by the Chiefs and was re-signed to the practice squad.^[5] He was cut from the practice squad on September 8, 2015.

Dallas Cowboys

On September 9, 2015, Olatoye was signed to the Dallas Cowboys pracitice squad.^[6][7] After releasing defensive back Corey White, the Cowboys promoted him to the active roster on November 18.^[8][9] His first start came in the fifteenth game of the season against the Buffalo Bills in place of an injured Morris Claiborne. He registered five tackles, one pass defensed and an interception.

In 2016, Olatoye was used at cornerback and safety during training camp. He was having a solid preseason until the last game against the Houston Texans, when he struggled after being targeted by the opposing quarterbacks. On September 3, he was released after being passed on the depth chart by Dax Swanson.^[10]

Atlanta Falcons

On September 5, 2016, the Atlanta Falcons signed Olatoye to their practice squad.^[11] He was promoted to the active roster on November 23, 2016.^[12]

In the 2016 season, Olatoye and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots. In the Super Bowl, the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat.^[13]

Personal life

Olatoye's younger sister, Oyesade, was a three time state champion thrower at Dublin Coffman High School.^[14] She is also the Ohio State University record holder in the indoor weight throw and represented the United States at the Junior World Championships in 2016 in Poland.

References

External links

• Baltimore Ravens bio
• Dallas Cowboys bio
• Atlanta Falcons bio