NFL CAREER – Sixth-year defender spent first season in New Orleans primarily as a special teams contributor and reserve defensive back. Played in all 17 games, recording two coverage stops, 11 tackles (five solo) and two passes defensed. Originally selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oregon, the Nashville, Tenn. native played in 67 gams with 12 starts for Seattle (2019-21), Tennessee (2022), Kansas City (2022) and New Orleans (2023) and has career totals of 123 tackles (97 solo), one interception, 15 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, 21 coverage stops and one special teams fumble recovery. Amadi will look to continue competing for time in both the secondary and on special teams.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Re-signed by New Orleans to a one-year contract, 3/19/24; Signed by New Orleans, 3/7/23; Elevated from practice squad to active roster by Chiefs (standard), 11/12/22; Signed by Chiefs to practice squad, 11/3/22; Waived by Titans, 10/31/22; Acquired by Tennessee from Eagles in exchange for future considerations, 8/24/22; Acquired by Eagles from Seahawks in exchange for WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, 8/15/22; Signed by Seahawks to a four-year contract, 5/6/19; Selected by Seattle in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
2023 – Played in all 17 games for the Saints, primarily on special teams and as a reserve defensive back, recording two coverage stops, eleven tackles (five solo) and two pass breakups…Vs. Tennessee, Sept. 10, rotated in at nickel in his first game action with the Saints and recorded a pass defense…Vs. Jacksonville, Oct. 19, rotated in at S and appeared on special teams, recording his first tackle of the 2023 season…At Indianapolis, Oct. 29, rotated in at S and appeared on special teams, recording one pass defense…Vs. Carolina, Dec. 10, played on special teams and recorded one tackle, his first special teams stop of the season…At L.A. Rams, Dec. 21, rotated in at S and played on special teams. Finished with three defensive stops (two solo) and one special teams tackle…Vs. Atlanta, 1/7/24, rotated in on defense and special teams. Finished with a season-high seven tackles (two solo). 2022 – Played in two games for the Titans and recorded five tackles (four solo) in contest vs. N.Y. Giants, Sept. 11…Joining the Chiefs practice squad at midseason, for whom he was a member of the remainder of their Super Bowl LVII Championship season, Amadi was active for the team's victory at Jacksonville, Nov. 13, contributing one coverage stop. 2021 – Started seven of 17 games played for Seattle and recorded a career-high 51 tackles (39 solo) and posted his first-career interception to go with three coverage stops…Recorded two solo tackles and one forced fumble vs. New Orleans, Oct. 25…Started at NCB vs. Jacksonville, Oct. 31 and finished with a career-high nine tackles (career-best eight solo) and one pass defense…Had first career interception to go with two tackles (one solo) and a pass defense vs. Detroit, 1/2/22. 2020 – Saw the most playing time of his career, primarily at nickel for Seattle. Started gibr of 14 games played and recorded 49 tackles and finished fifth on team with seven passes defensed to go with five special teams stops. 2019 – Played in 16 games for Seattle as a rookie, primarily on special teams, but took over nickel duty late in season…Posted three defensive tackles (two solo) and a team-best ten special teams stops (eight solo), earning Special Teams MVP honors for the squad…Recorded two tackles (one solo) and career-high two special teams stops vs. Arizona, Dec. 22…Recovered a muffed punt in the fourth quarter at L.A. Rams, Dec. 8.
COLLEGE – Played in all 51 of Oregon's games from 2015-18…Scored four touchdowns over his final two seasons with three coming on interception returns for touchdowns…First FBS player with two pick-6s and a punt return for a touchdown in the same season (2018) since 2015 and first Pac-12 player to accomplish feat since 2007…Only player in Pac-12 and one of just 11 FBS players with three interceptions and three forced fumbles in 2017…AP Pac-12 coaches All-Conference honorable mention…Started all 13 games as senior as the Lombardi Award winner, as the top FCS player regardless of position based on performance and leadership as well as character and resiliency, when he finished with 55 tackles, including 5.0 stops for loss and 1.5 sacks. Turned two of three interceptions into TDs. Totaled 223 yards and one TD on 14 punt returns…Shared Oregon's 2018 team Most Valuable Player award with QB Justin Herbert…As a junior, the only Pac-12 player and just one of 11 FBS players with three interceptions and three forced fumbles in 2017, adding 43 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks…Graduated with a degree in business.
PERSONAL – Accounted for 15 touchdowns for John Overton (Nashville, Tenn.) HS, which finished 2014 advancing to 6a playoffs…Credited with 25 tackles and two interceptions senior year in addition to breaking up five passes and returning three punts and a kickoff for touchdowns…Tallied 49 tackles, five interceptions and nine pass defensed as a junior in 2012 to earn a spot on the Tennessean's Dandy Dozen…In 2023, Amadi hosted a youth football camp at Overton through his "Hear What You Don't Know" foundation…Ugochukwu (pronounced oo-go-choo-koo) Amadi, was born in Nashville, Tenn. on May 16, 1997.
