Samuel Eguavoen

Samuel Ehi Eguavoen (born February 22, 1993) is an American football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas Tech.

Early life
Eguavoen played high school football at Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland, Texas, recording 118 total tackles, four sacks, one interception, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries his senior year. He earned Second-team District 10-5A honors. He was rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and ESPN.com. Eguavoen also played basketball at Lakeview Centennial.

College career
Eguavoen played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders of Texas Tech University from 2011 to 2014. He played in twelve games, starting five, while totaling 30 tackles his freshman season in 2011 and was named to Rivals.com's Big 12 All-Freshman Team Defense. He appeared in thirteen games, starting nine, and accumulated 52 tackles in 2012. Eguavoen played in thirteen games, all starts, while recording 70 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery his junior year in 2013. He appeared in ten games, all starts, while totaling 74 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one quarterback hurry his senior season in 2014. He also garnered Honorable Mention All-Big 12 recognition in 2014.

Professional career
Eguavoen went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft and spent the year working in Dallas, Texas.

Saskatchewan Roughriders
He signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL on February 24, 2016. He made his CFL debut on June 30, 2016, recording four defensive tackles against the Toronto Argonauts. Eguavoen played three seasons for the Roughriders, playing in 38 games for the team and contributing with 159 defensive tackles, 14 special teams tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. Eguavoen, who was scheduled to be a free agent February 12, 2019, was released by the Riders on January 2, 2019, to pursue NFL opportunities.

Miami Dolphins
On January 7, 2019, Eguavoen signed with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL. During his time with Miami, Equavoen appeared in 66 games and started seven. He also played a large role on special teams throughout his years on the team.

He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on August 19, 2020, and was activated the next day. He started six games during the season, recording 42 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.

In 2021 during a week 18 win against the New England Patriots, Eguavoen recovered a fumble in the end zone on the final play of the game to score his first NFL touchdown.

On March 16, 2022, Eguavoen signed a one-year contract extension with the Dolphins.

New York Jets
On August 6, 2023, Eguavoen signed with the New York Jets on a one-year contract worth $1,080,000. He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was then elevated to the active roster on September 11, 2023, and appeared in the Jets season opening win against the Buffalo Bills as a special teams player. During the following week against the Dallas Cowboys, Eguavoen made his first appearance on defense as a Jet, alongside more usage on special teams. He was signed to the active roster on September 23.

On May 3, 2024, Eguavoen re-signed with the Jets.