NNAMDI ASOMUGHA

• CORNERBACK
• No: 21
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 210
• Birth date: 07/06/1981
• College: California
• Acquired: 31^st overall selection (Round 1) of the 2003 NFL Draft
• Pronounced: NAM-Dee Awe-Some-Muah

Nnamdi Asomugha has become one of the best man-to-man coverage cornerbacks in the NFL. But it wasn’t an easy journey for the unassuming talent, who did not emerge as a contributor until 2005. Stuck behind the likes of Phillip Buchanon and Charles Woodson early in his career, Asomugha took advantage of his opportunities when he became a full-time starter in ‘05, leading the club with 14-passes defended and showing a nose for the football with 55-solo tackles.

He was quickly earning the reputation of being a tough defender who utilized his size and speed to shut down whoever he matched up against. But where were the interceptions?

Entering the ’06 campaign, Asomugha had no career picks, but that season, he tallied 8 interceptions, as well as his first career touchdown on a 24-yard interception return versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Asomugha was a Pro-Bowl alternate after the ‘06 season, but was informed hours prior to the game about his invitation when a selected starter was injured. Asomugha was not able to attend due to no flights being available to get him into Honolulu in time for the game.

Asomugha posted another stellar year at cornerback in 2007, as teams avoided tossing to his side of the field, earning the respect of hall of fame bound quarterbacks Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in the process.

Prior to hitting free agency, the Raiders designated Asomugha as their Exclusive Franchise Player on February 20, 2008, a move that will earn him an estimated $9.8 million. The transaction came at a point in his original rookie contract that had a player option to opt out.