Adimchinobi Echemandu

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=--
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|11|21
birthplace=Lagos, Nigeria
country=Nigeria
heightft=5
heightin=10
weight=225
debutyear=2004
debutteam=Cleveland Browns
college=California
draftyear=2004
draftround=7
draftpick=208
pastteams=
* Cleveland Browns (2004)
* Minnesota Vikings (2005)
* Oakland Raiders (2006-2007)
* Houston Texans (2007)
* Oakland Raiders (2008)*:*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
status=Active
highlights=
* No notable achievements
nfl=ECH077866

Adimchinobi Echemandu (born November 21, 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria), also known as Joe Echemandu, Joseph Echema or Adimchinobe Echemandu, is an American football running back who is a free agent in the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at California.

Early years

He played football at Hawthorne High School in Hawthorne, California. He ran for 608 yards and 6 touchdowns as a junior, and in track, he had a best of 21.57 in the 200 meters and 48.65 in the 400. As a senior, he ran for 1,525 yards on 165 carries sporting a 9.2 average and 27 touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, and was named his conference's back of the year in 1998. As a defensive player, he had 42 tackles and an interception as a senior. He was also a member of the Super Prep All-Far West team as the No. 60 overall prospect and the Prep Star All-America team as the No. 10 running back prospect in the West.

College career

Echemandu returned to the gridiron with a flourish in 2003 after spending the previous two years on the sidelines partially due to a knee injury. He saw his banner final campaign end on a sour note after it was discovered that he fractured his fibula late in the year. A two-sport star, he also excelled in track for the Golden Bears. He was a versatile athlete who was recruited as a tailback, but moved to wide receiver midway through his freshman season when injuries depleted their unit, then shifted back to tailback the following year. He sat out the 2002 season to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and finished his career with 306 carries for 1,434 yards and 16 touchdowns. As well as 33 receptions for 264 yards and a pair of scores, 22 kickoff returns for 516 yards and two punt returns for 5 yards while starting 19 of 33 games.

Professional career

He was selected with pick No. 7 by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. In his time spent with the Browns, he has carried the ball just 8 times for 25 yards, and caught the ball 3 times for 25 yards.

On September 2, 2005, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings and spent time on the practice squad for most of the season.

On September 5, 2006, he was signed to the practice squad of the Oakland Raiders. The best action he had was only in preseason of the 2007 season.

On October 10, 2007, he was signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad after being released by the Raiders. In an October 28 game against the San Diego Chargers, he rushed for 62 yards on 10 carries and caught two passes for 11 yards. He finished his 2007 season with 20 attempts for 85 yards, 2 receptions for 11 yards and 1 fumble. He has only fumbled 2 times in his career.

Echemandu was released on December 26, 2007 by the Texans.

In 2008, he signed with the Oakland Raiders again, only to be released on August 30.

Personal

Echemandu received his bachelor's degree in Sociology in May, 2003 at California. He is the son of Charity and Joe Echema Sr., as well as the cousin of former California and current Raider Nnamdi Asomugha.

External links

* [http://www.houstontexans.com/team/player.asp?player_id=320 Houston Texans bio]
* [http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=9808 Oakland Raiders bio]