Germain Ifedi


Germain Ifedi is an American football offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played college football at Texas A&M. While there, Ifedi earned Freshman All-American honors by The Sporting News in 2013. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Early years

A native of Houston, Ifedi attended Westside High School, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track. He earned second-team All-State honors by the Associated Press. He recorded 96 pancakes as a senior, and also blocked a kick. The Westside Wolves went 10–4 on the season, losing the UIL 5A Division II Regional Final to Dekaney, which were led by running back Trey Williams.
Regarded a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Ifedi was listed the No. 15 offensive guard prospect in his class. ESPN also listed him as four-star recruit. He chose Texas A&M over offers from Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Mississippi State.

College career

After redshirting in his first year at Texas A&M, Ifedi started at Right Guard all 13 season games on the offensive line in 2013. The Aggies offensive line, that also included tackles Jake Matthews and Cedric Ogbuehi, blocked for an offense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring, passing and total offense. Quarterback Johnny Manziel completed 69 percent of his passes over the season, for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns, and lead the team in rushing yards with 759. After the season, Ifedi was named Freshman All-American by Sporting News.
In his sophomore season, Ifedi replaced Ogbuehi at right tackle. Ifedi started all but two games of the season, missing the Auburn and Missouri games due to a sprained knee suffered against Louisiana–Monroe. The Aggies offensive line allowed only 27 sacks, while quarterbacks Kenny Hill and Kyle Allen attempted a combined 514 passes, leading the Southeastern Conference in passing yards and touchdowns.

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

Ifedi was selected 31st overall by the Seattle Seahawks. He became the fourth consecutive Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman selected in the first round of an NFL Draft, after Luke Joeckel, Jake Matthews, and Cedric Ogbuehi
On May 6, 2016, Ifedi signed a four-year deal worth $8.27 million overall with a $4.2 million signing bonus. Ifedi made his first career start and NFL debut on October 2, 2016, against the New York Jets in Week 4 after missing September due to an ankle injury.
Ifedi entered his second season in 2017 as the Seahawks starting right tackle, starting in all 16 games. Ifedi led the league in penalties with 16, after committing only 6 in 13 starts playing at Guard in 2016.
On May 3, 2019, the Seahawks declined the fifth-year option on Ifedi's contract, making him a free agent in 2020.

Chicago Bears

On April 1, 2020, Ifedi signed with the Chicago Bears on a one-year deal.

Personal life

Ifedi's parents are Nigerian immigrants. Ifedi is a member of the Pi Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. His older brother, Martin Ifedi, played defensive end for the Memphis Tigers.
At Texas A&M, Ifedi majored in construction science. The summer before his senior year, he interned with Manhattan-Vaughn Construction, the joint venture which renovated Kyle Field, thus allowing him to build the stadium in which he played.