Kansas football: Hakeem Adeniji went from unknown to NFL hopeful
Kansas football’s star offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji just competed in the Senior Bowl, and now he’ll prepare for the NFL Combine.
Hakeem Adeniji has been the cornerstone of the Kansas football offense since his freshman season back in 2016. Listed at six-foot-four and 250 pounds, Adeniji was unrated and had no other offers other than Kansas according to Rivals.
The Garland Texas native was flying completely under the radar, but he’d prove to be a diamond in the rough. Adeniji started all 12 games for the Jayhawks as a freshman, earning an All-Big 12 honorable mention at the end of the season. He had an identical season in 2017, starting all 12 games and earning an All-Big 12 honorable mention again.
Adeniji’s senior year was by far his best though.
He was named All-Big 12 first team along with his teammate Pooka Williams. Adeniji also started in his 48th consecutive game against Baylor, indicating that he started in every single game during his college career. Adeniji graduated after in 2019, earning his diploma in management and leadership.
Adeniji recently competed in the Senior Bowl as a member of the North team coached by the Lions’ Matt Patricia. The North team won over the South team 34-17.
“One of the best leaders I have been around.” – Kansas OC Brent Dearmon
Now standing at six-foot-five and 300 pounds, Adeniji will prepare for the NFL Combine to be held on Monday, February 24. He’s currently ranked as the no. 24 overall offensive lineman in the draft according to CBS Sports, and projected as a fourth-rounder. Adeniji could easily improve his stock though in the combine through interviews and through the physical tests.
With only eight other former Kansas football players currently on NFL rosters, Adeniji has a chance to be the only Jayhawk offensive lineman in the league.
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Hakeem Adeniji was great for Kansas football, and now he’ll get a chance to be great in the NFL too. His story as an unranked recruit to probable NFL draft choice is inspiring, hopefully, he makes it to the top.