| Amani Oruwariye | |
| Current Team: | Dallas Cowboys |
| Number: | 27 |
| Position: | Cornerback |
| Birth Date: | 9 February 1996 |
| Birth Place: | St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lb: | 200 |
| High School: | Gaither (Tampa, Florida) |
| College: | Penn State (2014–2018) |
| Draftyear: | 2019 |
| Draftround: | 5 |
| Draftpick: | 146 |
| Pastteams: |
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| Status: | Injured reserve |
| Highlights: | |
| Statleague: | NFL |
| Statseason: | 2024 |
| Statweek: | 4 |
| Statlabel1: | Total tackles |
| Statvalue1: | 176 |
| Statlabel2: | Pass deflections |
| Statvalue2: | 26 |
| Statlabel3: | Interceptions |
| Statvalue3: | 10 |
| Statlabel4: | Forced fumbles |
| Statlabel5: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statvalue5: | 2 |
| Statlabel6: | Defensive touchdowns |
| Pfr: | O/OruwAm00 |
Amani Horatio Oruwariye (;[1] born February 9, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State.
Oruwariye lettered for three years at Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida.[2] As a senior, he was voted team MVP and invited to the Hillsborough County All-Star Game.[3] He was ranked a three star recruit by all four major recruiting services, and 247Sports and Rivals rated him a top 100 prospect in the state of Florida. Oruwariye committed to Vanderbilt University early in his senior year before decommitting and following Head Coach James Franklin to Penn State.[4]
Oruwariye redshirted his true freshman season at Penn State, then appeared in mostly special teams action during his redshirt freshman year.[5]
In 2016, Oruwariye saw more time en route to Penn State's first Big Ten Championship Game victory. He logged his first interception against Kent State, which he proceeded to return for a touchdown.[6] He finished the season with 23 total tackles.[7]
Oruwariye burst onto the national scene in 2017 due to his personal-best four interceptions, good for fourth in the Big Ten.[8] [9] He earned recognition from both coaches and the media, who elected him second all-B1G.[10] He appeared in all but one game as Penn State clinched its first Fiesta Bowl victory since 1997.
Oruwariye carried his junior year momentum into his redshirt senior year, starting in each of Penn State's 12 games, picking off three passes, and tallying a career highs in tackles, pass defenses, and forced fumbles.[11] His excellence was recognized by coaches, media, AP, and ESPN, all of whom named him to their All-B1G teams.[12] He received an invite to the Reese's Senior Bowl amidst discussions that he could potentially be a first round pick.[13]
Oruwariye was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.[14] He finished the season with two interceptions and third on the Lions' depth chart.[15] [16]
Oruwariye was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Lions on July 29, 2020,[17] and was activated 10 days later.[18] In Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers, Oruwariye recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by P. J. Walker during the 20–0 loss.[19] In the 2020 season, he appeared in 16 games and started 15. He finished with 53 total tackles (45 solo), one interception, and seven passes defended.[20]
Oruwariye entered the 2021 season as a starting cornerback for the Lions. He started the first 14 games before suffering a thumb injury in Week 15. He was placed on injured reserve on December 25, ending his season.[21] He finished the season with 57 tackles, and a team-leading 11 passes defensed and six interceptions.[22] He was third in the NFL in interceptions at the time of his injury.
In the 2022 season, Oruwariye finished with 44 total tackles (36 solo), three passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 14 games and five starts.[23]
On March 23, 2023, Oruwariye signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the New York Giants.[24] He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.[25] [26] He was released on October 10.[27]
On October 16, 2023, Oruwariye was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.[28] He was active in one game in the 2023 season, Week 17 against the Panthers.[29] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.[30] He was released on August 27, 2024.[31]
Oruwariye was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on August 29, 2024.[32] He was promoted to the active roster on October 26.[33]