Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Ifeatu Melifonwu was born  May 2, 1999, in Grafton, Massachusetts. He is a safety in the NFL.

He played college football at Syracuse and was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Melifonwu played at Syracuse from 2017 to 2020. After redshirting his first year in 2017, he played in 29 games over the next three seasons. He finished his career with 88 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. After his junior season in 2020, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Melifonwu signed his four-year rookie contract with Detroit on July 23, 2021.

On September 22, 2021, Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve after suffering a thigh injury in Week 2. He was activated on November 29. On June 1, 2022, Melifonwu started snaps as both a cornerback and a safety.