The San Antonio Brahmas released linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page. According to the X account MLFootball, Iyiegbuniwe is signing with the Detroit Lions. The Brahmas will retain Iyiegbuniwe’s rights should he return to the UFL.
Joel Iyiegbuniwe is six foot one and weighs 230 pounds. The 28-year-old from Bowling Green, Kentucky, was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (115th pick) in the 2018 NFL Draft. He also had stints with the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers. Iyiegbuniwe played 65 NFL regular season games making 31 tackles (26 solo, 5 assists), one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble.
The San Antonio Brahmas signed Iyiegbuniwe on January 19, 2024. In 2024, Iyiegbuniwe made 14 tackles (7 solo, 7 assists) in 8 games helping San Antonio reach the UFL Championship Game against the Birmingham Stallions.
Collegiately, Iyiegbuniwe played four seasons at Western Kentucky (2014-17) making 201 tackles (105 solo, 96 assists), 22.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 44 games for the Hilltoppers. He was named First Team All-Conference USA in 2017 and an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention in 2016
