Noah Igbinoghene

Noah Igbinoghene's Biography

Noah Igbinoghene, a rising star in the world of professional American football, has proven his mettle playing as a cornerback for prestigious teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders in the National Football League (NFL). Born on the 27th of November in 1999, Igbinoghene’s roots trace back to Nigeria, where he spent a part of his life. His heritage provided him with a rich vein of athletic prowess, as both his parents, Festus and Faith, were Olympic athletes in track and field, which can be seen reflected in his own passion for sports.

Igbinoghene’s journey began at Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, Alabama, where he first positioned himself as wide receiver for the school’s football team. His performance in his senior year proved to be a gamechanger, as his score of over 1,700 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns earned him coveted All-USA Today Alabama and ASWA Class 7A All-state honors. Not limited to the game of football, his high school life was also marked with multiple victories in track and field, crowning him state champion eight times between the long and triple jump categories under the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

Upon graduating high school, Auburn University recognized the young athlete’s potential and offered him a football scholarship. Between 2017 and 2019, Igbinoghene gave remarkable performances for the Auburn Tigers. His freshman year saw him as a backup wide receiver, primarily playing on special teams. In 14 games, he marked up six receptions for 24 yards and made 24 kickoff returns for an impressive 571 yards. The spring of his sophomore year marked a strategical shift as he was positioned as a cornerback. That same season, he secured fifty tackles and eleven pass breakups, including key performances against the University of Washington and the University of Arkansas, setting the bar high for his subsequent seasons.

As a junior, Igbinoghene lived up to his reputation with another excellent display of football prowess, posting 42 tackles, seven pass breakups, and a school record-setting 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the 2020 Outback Bowl. His dedication to the game was well rewarded when he was picked by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft as the 30th overall choice. The Dolphins had recently acquired additional first round draft selections from a trade deal involving Kenny Stills and Laremy Tunsil to the Houston Texans, which resulted in the selection of Igbinoghene. Upon entering the league as a 20-year-old rookie, Igbinoghene made football history by becoming the youngest player in the NFL.

However, his first season with the Dolphins was not without its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic affected his pre-season preparation, and he was thrust into the deep end due to an injury of a fellow starter in the Dolphins’ second game of the season. Igbinoghene proved himself capable by taking on a key role in subsequent games. He appeared in all 16 games with two starts, finishing with impressive statistics, including ten tackles, two passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, three special team tackles, and four kickoff returns for 68 yards.

In 2021, his contribution was sporadic due to his struggle with form, appearances in only seven games, and declared inactive in six contests. Still, his dedication to the game stayed resolute, and he managed to post a total of four defensive tackles and two special teams tackles during the season. Things began to look hopeful in 2022, with his nine games and two starts, contributing to ten tackles, one interception, and three passes defended. Significant performances that season include a game-sealing interception in a match against the Pittsburgh Steelers, helping his team clinch a 16-10 victory.

However, in 2023, the Dolphins decided to decline his fifth-year contract option. Increased competition resulted in his trade to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for cornerback Kelvin Joseph in August of the same year. His debut for the Cowboys bore fruit, with him scoring the first touchdown of the Cowboys season, thus putting the New York Giants to bed with a 40-0 shutout win. Adding another feather to his cap, Igbinoghene signed with the Washington Commanders on March 18, 2024.

From his Nigerian roots to the fields of professional American football, Noah Igbinoghene’s journey has been one of determination, ambition, resilience, and accomplishment, marking him as a valuable addition to the National Football League. As he continues to build his legacy, the world waits with bated breath for many more seasons of his athletic excellence.