| Sam Okuayinonu | |
| Current Team: | San Francisco 49ers |
| Number: | 91 |
| Position: | Defensive end |
| Birth Date: | 1 May 1998 |
| Birth Place: | Monrovia, Liberia |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 1 |
| Weight Lb: | 269 |
| High School: | Lowell (MA) |
| College: | Maryland (2019–2021) |
| Undraftedyear: | 2022 |
| Pastteams: |
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| Status: | Active |
| Highlights: |
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| Statseason: | 2023 |
| Statlabel1: | Total tackles |
| Statvalue1: | 11 |
| Statlabel2: | Sacks |
| Statvalue2: | 0.5 |
| Statlabel3: | Forced fumbles |
| Statlabel4: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statlabel5: | Interceptions |
| Pfr: | OkuaSa00 |
Sam Okuayinonu (born May 1, 1998) is a Liberian professional football defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Maryland,[1] and signed as undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2022.
Sam Okuayinonu was a three-star recruit from Lowell, Massachusetts. He played defensive line for Lowell High School graduating in 2016.
On January 26, 2019, Okuayinonu committed to the Maryland Football. At Maryland, Okuayinonu had a total of 90 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.[2] After the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl, Okuayinonu declared for the draft.
Okuayinonu was not selected in the 2022 NFL draft. On April 30, 2022, he signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent.[3] He was waived on August 30, 2022 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[4] [5] He was promoted to the active roster on October 4.[6] The Titans waived Okuayinonu on December 6, 2022 and re-signed with the practice squad.[7] He was promoted to the active roster on December 29, then waived the next day and re-signed back to the practice squad.[8] [9]
Okuayinonu signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023.[10] On August 29, 2023, he was waived for final roster cuts before the start of the 2023 season.[11] Though Okuayinonu signed with the practice squad on August 30, the next day he was released again.[12] [13]
On January 10, 2024, Okuayinonu was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.[14] He signed a reserve/future contract on February 13, 2024.[15]
Okuayinonu was waived by the 49ers on August 28, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.[16] [17] He was promoted to the active roster on September 28.[18]