The Miami Dolphins are among several teams that have followed up with two-time All-MAC selection Amechi Uzodinma II, who played collegiately at Ball State University.
The cornerback, who spent five seasons at Ball State, has also had contact with the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ball State CB, Amechi Uzodinma ll, met with multiple teams at his Pro Day. Since his Pro Day, the #Chargers, #Raiders, #Dolphins, #Colts, #Giants, #Saints, #Texans, and #Commanders have followed up.
Uzodinma is a two time All-MAC selection and recorded 174 tackles, 10 INTs, and… pic.twitter.com/X6deiuGItL
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) April 22, 2023
Uzodinma appeared in 52 games for Ball State across five seasons, recording 171 total tackles, 34 passes defended, four tackles for loss, one sack, 10 interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He recorded a career-high 46 total tackles in the 2022 season while picking off three passes.
As a sophomore in the 2019 season, Uzodinma picked off five passes in 12 games and recorded a career-high 12 passes defended.
The Dolphins could use some extra bodies at the cornerback position behind Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard. Miami released veteran Byron Jones this offseason, and the team has not seen a lot of positives from former first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene.
Uzodinma was a standout in the MAC during his collegiate career, and he is also an experienced player that may be ready to contribute right away at the NFL level.
The Dolphins struggled to defend the pass last season, allowing the sixth-most passing yards in the NFL. The team also gave up 27 passing touchdowns, which ranked seventh in the league. To make matters worse, Miami didn’t force a ton of turnovers in the secondary, picking off just eight passes.
The addition of Ramsey should really help the team improve in those categories, but depth is also very important in the NFL. Players can go down at any time, and Miami needs to have players ready to step in and play.
Uzodinma could be an option for the team in the draft to become just that, especially after his decorated collegiate career.
Miami has just four draft picks this year. The Dolphins lost a first-round selection for tampering, leaving them with picks No. 51 (second round), No. 84 (third round), No. 197 (sixth round), and No. 238 (seventh round).
It’s possible the team uses one of those selections to draft Uzodinma, but only time will tell. It seems like the franchise has its eyes on multiple defensive back prospects.
