James Ihedigbo

James Ugochu Ihedigbo (born December 3, 1983) is a former American football safety.

James Ihedigbo played football at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 2002-2006.

After arriving in 2002, Ihedigbo redshirted his first year.

In the following season, he started 10 of 12 games for UMass, picking off 4 passes, making a total of 74 tackles with 2 forced fumbles and was named the team's most improved defensive player.

In 2004, James had 52 tackles but no interceptions.

In his third year at Massachusetts, Ihedigbo switched to strong safety from free safety and ranked sixth on the team in total tackles with 45.

In his redshirt junior year, he was named to the Atlantic 10 conference third-team and started at strong safety for a team which allowed the fewest points in all of Division I-AA football.

He finished third in the conference in sacks with 7.5.

As a senior, he had 72 tackles, 5 quarterback sacks, 3 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles, he was a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award and a Walter Camp All-American as well as a senior captain.

He was named UMass team MVP for 2006.

Ihedigbo attended Jets rookie minicamps and signed a contract with the Jets and general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

In the second game of the preseason against the Minnesota Vikings Ihedigbo injured his hand and missed the rest of the season as the Jets placed him on injured reserve.

He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2007.

He played college football at Massachusetts.

Ihedigbo played at Amherst Regional High School where he was a two-time All-Western Massachusetts and All-League selection.

In 2008, Ihedigbo began the season on the practice squad.

He was added to the active roster on October 29, 2008, because of an injury to safety Eric Smith.

James Ihedigbo recorded his first NFL tackle on November 23, 2008, against the Tennessee Titans in a 34-13 Jets win.

During 2008 season he played in 8 games and had 8 tackles.

Ihedigbo made the Jets in 2009 as a backup safety.

In a 16–13 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on October 18, 2009, Ihedigbo and fellow Jet Marques Murrell threw punches at Bills tight end Derek Fine, causing Ihedigbo to be ejected from the game by officials.

The NFL fined both players $5,000 and head coach Rex Ryan benched Ihedigbo, along with Murrell, for the following game against the Oakland Raiders.

On December 13, 2009, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ihedigbo got his first NFL sack on quarterback Josh Freeman.

The Jets going into week 17 had 8 wins and 7 losses and needed one win to make the playoffs as they were playing the Cincinnati Bengals.

James Ihedigbo had his best game as a pro with 2 tackles.

One of those tackles was a sack and a forced fumble of quarterback J. T. O'Sullivan that was recovered by Jamaal Westerman.

The Jets won the game 37–0 and clinched a playoff berth.

In the AFC wild card playoff game, the Jets beat the Bengals again, 24–14.

In the AFC divisional playoff game, the Jets played the San Diego Chargers.

In the fourth quarter of the game, Jay Feely was kicking off to San Diego after a Jets touchdown by quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The kick return was taken by Antonio Cromartie but during the return Ihedigbo ripped the ball out of his hands for a forced fumble.

The Jets went on to win 17–14.

The Jets had made it to the AFC championship game and were one win away from the Super Bowl.

James Ihedigbo had 3 tackles but the Jets lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 30–17.

James Ihedigbo finished the season with 19 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble in 15 games.

On March 22, 2010, Ihedigbo signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets.

The Jets were considered by many to be Super Bowl contenders.

They opened the season on Monday September 13, 2010, against the Baltimore Ravens in the Jets' new home, MetLife Stadium.

Ihedigbo recorded his first tackle of the year but the Jets lost 10–9.

James Ihedigbo recorded his first sack of the season in week 4 against the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.