NFL CAREER – Originally selected in the sixth round (193rd overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2019 NFL Draft, Udoh enters his sixth NFL season and first with New Orleans after signing as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. In five seasons with Minnesota, Udoh appeared in 43 games with 18 starts at right guard and left tackle, while also starting a postseason contest at right tackle.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints on a one-year contract (UFA-Min.), 3/19/24; Placed by Minnesota on Injured Reserve, 9/19/23; Re-signed to a one-year contract with Minnesota, 3/21/23; Activated by Minnesota from Reserve/COVID-19, 1/1/22; Placed by Minnesota on Reserve/COVID-19, 12/27/21; Signed to a four-year contract by Minnesota, 5/2/19; Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
2023 – Played in two games with one start at LT in Week Two in his final season for the Vikings before suffering season-ending quadriceps injury. 2022 – Provided depth along Vikings offensive line, appearing in all 17 regular season games before, moving into starting lineup at RT in Week 18 and for Minnesota's NFC Wild Card Playoff appearance. 2021 – Played in all 17 contests with 14 starts at RG and two at LG…Made first NFL start in opener at Cincinnati, Sept. 12, opening at RG. 2020 – Appeared in six games, providing depth for the offensive line unit. 2019 – Inactive the first 16 weeks of his rookie campaign before making his NFL debut vs Chicago, Dec. 29, seeing time at RT.
COLLEGE – At Elon, started 45 consecutive games from 2015-18, redshirting in 2014…As a redshirt senior in 2018, he earned Phil Steele FCS first-team All-America honors in helping Elon average 199.5 yards per game on the ground to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association…Earned an invite to the NFL Combine, East-West Shrine Game and Reese's Senior Bowl…Became the highest-drafted player from Elon since RB Jimmy Smith by Washington in 1984 (102nd overall)…Earned a degree in in exercise science.
PERSONAL – Prepped at Terry Sanford (Fayetteville, N.C.) HS…Started as a defensive lineman before transitioning to offensive line as a senior, earning second-team Cape Fear Region honors…Also lettered in track and field, competing in the shot put…Donated 500 meals to workers at Cape Fear (N.C.) Valley Medical Center in 2020 as they worked around the clock to treat COVID-19 patients…Parents, Benjamin and Rita, were born in Nigeria and are a doctor and nurse in their own medical practice…Interested in pursuing a career in medicine like his parents following his football career…Younger brother, Ezemdi, played football at North Carolina State and sister, Ona, was a starter at Wake Forest in basketball…Name pronounced OH-lee-suh-MEE-kah OO-doh, which translates to "God is good" in Nigerian.
