C.J. Uzomah

C.J. Uzomah's Biography

C. J. Uzomah, christened Christopher James Uzomah, is a distinguished professional football player born on January 14, 1993. Having origins in Nigeria, he was born and raised in Suwanee, Georgia, USA, by his accomplished parents. His father, Xavier Uzomah, holds an MBA from Auburn University, while his mother, Stephanie, has a doctorate degree in education. C.J.’s love for football began at North Gwinnett High School where he played as a quarterback under the proud watch of his parents.

During his final year at North Gwinnett, Uzomah possessed an impressive record, throwing for 238 yards, scoring two touchdowns, and rushing for 74 yards. He also recorded 168 receiving yards and an additional touchdown in his senior year. His abilities did not wane; as a junior, he passed for 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns, rushed for 800 yards, and achieved 10 more touchdowns.

Upon graduating from high school, C. J. Uzomah attended Auburn University where he played as a tight end for the Auburn Tigers football team. He was primarily a blocking tight end at Auburn but boasted of 29 catches over his college career, seven of which were touchdowns. Uzomah did not merely focus on the gridiron; he also utilized his time in Auburn to acquire a degree in Marketing.

In his fourth year at Auburn, Uzomah had the opportunity to perform in the prestigious 2014 Senior Bowl, having accepted his invitation to play on January 17, 2015. Despite his team losing 34–13 in the contest, Uzomah earned recognition for catching an impressive nine-yard pass. He was also able to showcase his abilities in the 2015 Medal of Honor Bowl where he made one reception for 29 yards, contributing to his team’s 26–14 victory.

The Cincinnati Bengals identified Uzomah’s potential and drafted him in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft. He was the seventh tight end selected that year. On May 15, 2015, he inked his first professional contract—a four-year deal with the Bengals worth $2.49 million including a signing bonus of $212,762.

The most significant highlight of his debut season came on December 6, 2015, when he caught a four-yard pass from quarterback Andy Dalton, marking the first reception of his career. Despite playing only five games and making zero starts during his first year with the Bengals, his performance contributed to his team’s impressive 12–4 record, earning them the top spot in the AFC North.

The 2016 season ushered in a fresh wave of opportunities for Uzomah as he was named the Bengals’ starting tight end. He set new personal records by recording 25 receptions for 234 yards and his first career touchdown in ten games that season.

In the subsequent seasons, Uzomah continued to exhibit his exceptional football capabilities. He registered a career-high 43 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns in 2018. The Bengals, acknowledging his contributions, rewarded him with a new three-year, $18 million contract extension in March 2019.

In the 2020 season, Uzomah caught rookie quarterback Joe Burrow’s first career passing touchdown. Unfortunately, his joy was short-lived as he tore his Achilles tendon in the same game, forcing him to miss the rest of the season.

After he healed, Uzomah returned to the Bengals in 2021, exceeding expectations by setting career highs. His most notable win came against the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card Round, where he made six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. Uzomah wrapped up his career with the Bengals by participating in Super Bowl LVI, where he made two catches for 11 yards, albeit in a losing effort against the Los Angeles Rams.

In March 2022, Uzomah moved to the New York Jets under a three-year deal worth $24 million. He secured his first two receiving touchdowns of the season in Week 15 against the Detroit Lions. However, an MCL injury in Week 13 of the 2023 season cut short his time with the Jets, leading to his placement on injured reserve and later his release on March 5, 2024.

Eager to make a comeback, Uzomah signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles on April 11, 2024. However, the Eagles released him on August 21, 2024, before the regular season began. As a free agent now, C. J. Uzomah’s accolades and records speak for themselves, promising a continued presence in the NFL.