Ben Banogu

Benjamin Chinomso Banogu (born January 19, 1996) is a Nigerian-born American football defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at both Louisiana-Monroe and TCU.

Early years

Born in Nigeria, Banogu grew up in McKinney, Texas attended nearby Prosper High School, where he played football and basketball for the Eagles, in addition to participating in track & field. On February 4, 2014, he signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Louisiana at Monroe on a football scholarship.

College career

Louisiana-Monroe

Banogu redshirted during his first season at ULM, but became a starter for the Warhawks as a redshirt freshman in 2015. He recorded 5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss to earn a spot on the All-Sun Belt Newcomer Team, but chose to leave the program after the season.

TCU

After enrolling at Texas Christian University in January 2016, Banogu sat out the 2016 season and forfeited his sophomore year of elibility due to NCAA transfer rules. He became a starter for the Horned Frogs as a junior in 2017, totalling 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss, earning 1st Team All-Big 12 honors and helping lead the Frogs to the program's first-ever berth in the Big 12 Championship Game and a win in the 2017 Alamo Bowl over Stanford.

Banogu scored his first collegiate touchdown during his senior season on a 47-yard return of a fumble recovery in a home win against Iowa State in September 2018 He ended the season with 8.5 sacks and 18.0 tackles for loss to once again be named 1st Team All-Big 12, and helped lead the Frogs to a win over California in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl.

Following his senior season, Banogu graduated from TCU and was invited to participate in the 2019 Senior Bowl as a linebacker.

Professional career

Banogu was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round (49th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. During the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, Banogu recorded a half-sack in his first-career game. During the Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos, Banogu sealed the 15-13 victory with his 4th-quarter strip-sack of Joe Flacco, both career-firsts. In Week 12 against the Houston Texans, he brought down Deshaun Watson for a sack.