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Godwin Igwebuike was a UDFA steal for the Buccaneers

By Sayre Bedinger

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 30: Danny Davis III #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a touchdown pass in front of Godwin Igwebuike #16 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the third quarter of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 30: Danny Davis III #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a touchdown pass in front of Godwin Igwebuike #16 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the third quarter of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a big-time steal in undrafted free agent Godwin Igwebuike out of Northwestern, a strong safety…

You don’t have to be drafted into the NFL to make a significant impact, and former Northwestern safety Godwin Igwebuike is setting out to prove just that.

At Northwestern, Igwebuike was a three-year starter and team captain in 2017 who finished his career in college with 324 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and seven interceptions.

He followed up a very productive career as one of the top safeties in the Big Ten with an incredible performance at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine.

He ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash with 19 bench press reps, a 35.5-inch broad jump, and a 6.56-second three-cone drill, showing off his short-area quickness.

After studying Igwebuike prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, I thought it would be a surprise if he lasted past the fourth round. He showed off great instincts at the safety position, and incredible closing speed (which he confirmed at the Combine) when asked to come up and play in run support.

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There weren’t many safeties in this year’s draft class better at attacking the football and busting up short or slower-developing passing plays. Igwebuike was a nightmare for defenses in that regard, but also proved he can be effective in zone coverage.

Despite not showing extremely well in man coverage, Igwebuike consistently proved he could get into position when asked to play deep zone assignments, and certainly has the foot quickness and speed to make an impact in man coverage.

I cannot quite figure out why this player went undrafted. Everything is there from the intangible qualities to the on-field performance and athletic measurables. The Buccaneers drafted another safety in Pittsburgh’s Jordan Whitehead in the fourth round, but if they had taken Igwebuike there, I don’t know that anyone would have thought it was a reach.

Now he needs to prove exactly why teams made a mistake passing on him in the draft. If he keeps relying on his natural instincts and football IQ, he’s going to have a long NFL career and could be one of the gems of this year’s rookie class.

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