James Ihedigbo (2018) - Hall of Fame - University of Massachusetts Athletics

James Ihedigbo

Induction:
2018
Class:
2006

Amherst, Massachusetts, native James Ihedigbo won four letters at defensive back for head coaches Mark Whipple (2003) and Don Brown (2004-06) over the course of a stellar playing career which began as a walk-on who redshirted his first year with the team and ended with a decade spent competing in the NFL.

Ihedigbo was a consensus I-AA All-America First Team choice following his senior season in 2006, while he also won two Atlantic 10 All-Conference accolades. A tri-captain in 2006 when he helped Massachusetts reach the NCAA FCS Championship Game, Ihedigbo capped his collegiate career with 256 total tackles, including 12.5 sacks among his 23.5 TFLs.

Ihedigbo went on and signed an undrafted free agent contract in the NFL, which he turned into 10 seasons playing for the New York Jets (2007-10), New England Patriots (2011), Baltimore Ravens (2012-13), Detroit Lions (2014-15) and Buffalo Bills (2016). He played in 117 career NFL games with 394 tackles, 24 passes defended, 9.0 sacks, eight interceptions, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2018.