Oshiomogho Isaac "O. J." Atogwe (born on June 23, 1981, in Windsor, Ontario^[1]) is an American football safety for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. Atogwe was drafted out of Stanford University in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He is of Nigerian descent.

[edit] Early years

He attended high school at W.F. Herman Secondary School in Windsor. While he was there he starred in football, soccer, basketball, and track & field. In basketball, he was a three time All-City selection and was the league MVP as a senior. Atogwe was named All-Canada, All-Ontario and All-Academic. In football he was a two-year starter at running back and cornerback and was named the league's Defensive MVP in 1999. He was also All-city as a running back . He was a league MVP in basketball as a senior and three-time All-City selection and competed in the long jump, triple jump and 200-meter dash (22.8) in track.

[edit] College career

Oshiomogho played college football and ran track for the Stanford Cardinal in the PAC-10 conference where during his career he made nine interceptions. Atogwe redshirted as a freshman at Stanford in 2000. He appeared in every game as a reserve free safety in 2001, producing four tackles on special teams. Atogwe took over the strong safety position in 2002, going on to start the next 33 games. He led the team with 71 tackles (47 solos), a sack, a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles, three interceptions and four pass deflections. He was named team co-MVP and earned Second-team All-Pac 10 Conference honors in 2003, as he again led the team with a career-high 90 tackles (54 solos), including five stops behind the line of scrimmage, two interceptions and eight pass deflections while manning the free safety position. He also led the league with six fumble recoveries and six forced fumbles. As a senior in 2004, Atogwe started all 11 games and finished with 76 tackles, four for a loss, four interceptions and seven passes broken up.

Atogwe also was a member the Stanford track team in 2001 and 2002. He participated in the sprints and jumps, and his best marks in 2002 included 22'10" in the long jump and 43'3¾" in the triple jump. He was a Biological Sciences major.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Pre-draft measureables

(* represents NFL Combine)

335-pound bench press. 525-pound squat. 285-pound power clean ^{[2] [3]}

[edit] St. Louis Rams

Oshiomogho was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the third round (66th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. On July 28, 2005 Atogwe to a three-year $1.6 million contract with the Rams.^[4]

In his rookie year he played in 12 games, finishing the year with 11 tackles, one sacks, an interception, and a fumble recovery. The following season, he finished the campaign with 72 tackles and three interceptions and forced five fumbles. In the 2007 season, Atogwe had a team and NFC-high 8 interceptions along with 75 tackles and one touchdown and forced two fumbles. On April 22, 2008, the Rams tendered Atogwe a one-year deal for $2.017 million which he signed to remain with the club. ^[5] Atogwe is one of the rising players in the NFL at the free safety position and in the 2008 season he recorded 5 interceptions to lead the Rams once again. He also recorded 83 tackles and forced six fumbles.

On February 19, 2009, the Rams used their franchise tag on Atogwe. The tag is the non-exclusive franchise which allows other teams to negotiate with Atogwe but if any signed him that team has to give the Rams two first-round picks as compensation and as part of the designation Atogwe will receive a one-year tender of $6.342 million ^[6]

On July 15, 2009 the Rams signed Atogwe to a one-year, $6.342 million contract.^[7]

On December 9, Atogwe was placed on Injured Reserve due to a dislocated right shoulder.

[edit] References

1. ^ Duff, Bob (October 30, 2009). "NFL star safety returns to roots". Windsor Star (Canwest). http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/star+safety+returns+roots/2165139/story.html. Retrieved 2009-11-01. 
2. ^ Clan Ram
3. ^ 900 Football.com
4. ^ (July 28, 2005) Wednesday's Sports Transactions USA Today. Retrieved April 29, 2009.
5. ^ Parker, Jim. (April 22, 2008). Atogwe to sign $2M contract Windsor Star. Retrieved April 29, 2009.
6. ^ Wagoner, Nick (February 19, 2009). Rams Tag Atogwe St. Louis Rams.com Retrieved April 29, 2009.
7. ^ (July 16, 2009) Rams safety Atogwe signs one-year, $6.34 million franchise tender NFL.com. Retrieved July 16, 2009.

[edit] External links

• Profile by ESPN
• Rams Player Bio

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