| Intro | Wrestler and former American football player | ||||
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Football player Athlete Canadian football player American football player |
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| From | United States of America | ||||
| Type | Sports | ||||
| Gender | male | ||||
| Birth | 28 August 1988, Dallas, USA | ||||
| Age: | 31 years | ||||
| Star sign | Virgo | ||||
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| Education |
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Ezekwesiri “EJ” Nduka Jr. (born August 28, 1988) is a professional wrestler, professional IFBB bodybuilder and former professional gridiron football and arena football defensive end outside linebacker who is currently signed to WWE, assigned to the WWE Performance Center. Before becoming a WWE superstar, Nduka was signed by the Toronto Argonauts on February 21, 2013. After college Nduka had several stints with NFL and CFL teams. Ultimately, Nduka was invited to the NFL Combine in 2012 after his senior season of college. He played college football at Sam Houston State University – 2012 National Championship runner-up.
Nduka has been a member of the Tri-Cities Fever, Allen Wranglers, Toronto Argonauts and San Antonio Talons.
Nduka is also a professional bodybuilder in the IFBB. Nduka previously completed for the MuscleMania Professional Division. During the World Championships in Vegas, Nduka placed 4th in the Men’s Physique Professional Division. Nduka began his bodybuilding career shortly after leaving the AFL in 2016. Since then he has placed 1st in the following competitions: Texas State Championships, Ronnie Coleman Classic, BetterBodies Championship, Junior Nationals and JR USAs. Nduka has also competed at the Arnold Classic & Lou Ferrigno Legacy Classic placing top 3 in the Classic Pro Division. Because of his performance on the gridiron and on the IFBB stage, in December 2018, Nduka received a tryout with the WWE, and then shortly after went back in April 2019 for another tryout at the WWE Performance center. In August 2019 Nduka was signed by the WWE, reporting to their developmental territory NXT.
Early years
Nduka was born in Dallas, Texas, to parents Obie and Prince Nduka, who are originally from Nigeria. EJ Nduka attended Jackson Memorial High School in Jackson, New Jersey. He was a dual sport letterwinner and star in basketball, and track. He was a star basketball player before ultimately turning to the football field in college.
College career
Nduka began his college career at Jacksonville University in 2007 before transferring to Sam Houston State where he played for three years from 2008 to 2011. He was redshirted as a freshman in 2008 but eventually made an impact for the Bearkats, primarily as a pass rusher in game situations.
Professional career
Pre-draft
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) |
242 lb (110 kg) |
4.52 s | 1.36 s | 2.55 s | 4.44 s | 6.56 s | 42 in (1.07 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) |
33 reps | x | ||
| Values from NFL Super Regional Combine | ||||||||||||
Prior to the 2012 NFL Draft, Nduka was projected to be undrafted by NFLDraftScout.com. He was rated as the 40th-best outside linebacker in the draft.
Nduka was later signed by the Allen Wranglers of the IFL. In 2012 Nduka played final three games and recorded 15 tackles, three sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
On February 21, 2013, the Toronto Argonauts signed Nduka. He was released by the Argonauts on May 8, 2013.
Nduka is now a professional athlete in the IFBB a federation. Nduka recently announced via social media that he will now compete in the Classic Physique division in 2017.
IFBB contest results
- 2016 IFBB – San Antonio Classic 3rd
- 2016 IFBB – Lou Ferrigno Classic 3rd
NPC contest results
- 2015 NPC – BetterBodies Championships 1st
- 2015 NPC – Ronnie Coleman Classic 1st
- 2015 NPC – Team Universe 6th
- 2015 NPC/IFBB – North Americans 4th
- 2015 NPC – Miami Nationals 3rd
- 2016 – Jr Nationals 1st
- 2016 – Jr USAs 1st