David Njoku facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
David Njoku

Njoku with the Cleveland Browns in 2021
No. 85 – Cleveland Browns
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1996-07-10) July 10, 1996 (age 29) Cedar Grove, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	246 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:	Cedar Grove
College:	Miami (FL) (2014–2016)
NFL Draft:	2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29
Career history
Cleveland Browns (2017–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2023)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Receptions: 351 Receiving yards: 3,769 Receiving touchdowns: 30
Player stats at PFR

David Njoku (born July 10, 1996) is a talented American professional football player. He plays as a tight end for the Cleveland Browns team in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, David played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. The Cleveland Browns chose him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, which is a big deal for young players hoping to go pro.

Early Life and High School Sports

David Njoku grew up in a big family. He is one of nine children. His parents came to the United States from Nigeria. They are from the Igbo group.

David went to Cedar Grove High School in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. He was a star player there. During his time in high school, he caught the football 76 times. These catches gained him 1,794 yards and led to 19 touchdowns.

David was considered a top tight end recruit. He chose to play college football for Miami (FL). He also had offers from other well-known schools like Boston College and Ohio State. Besides football, David was also a great high jump athlete. He even won a national championship in high jump in 2014 during his senior year.

College Football Career

David Njoku started his college football journey at Miami in 2014. He spent his first year as a "redshirt" player. This means he practiced with the team but did not play in any games. This allowed him to train and get stronger without using up a year of his playing eligibility.

In 2015, David played in all 13 games for Miami. He started in four of those games. He made 21 receptions for 362 yards and scored one touchdown. The next year, in 2016, he had an even better season. He caught 43 passes for 698 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

After the 2016 season, David decided to enter the 2017 NFL draft. This meant he chose to leave college early and become a professional player.

College Statistics

Season	Team	GP	Receiving
			Rec	Yds	TD
2014	Miami	Redshirt
2015	Miami	13	21	362	1
2016	Miami	12	43	698	8
Total		25	64	1,060	9

Professional NFL Career

Joining the NFL

Njoku with the Cleveland Browns, 2018

Before the NFL Draft, David Njoku was invited to the NFL Combine. This is where college players show off their skills to NFL teams. He did well in all the drills. Many experts thought he would be picked in the first round of the draft. They were right!

The Cleveland Browns chose David Njoku as the 29th player overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the third tight end picked that year. In June 2017, the Browns signed David to a four-year contract worth over $9.5 million.

First Seasons (2017-2019)

David made his NFL debut on September 10, 2017. He caught two passes for 20 yards in his first game. In his second game, he scored his first NFL touchdown. He finished his first year with 32 catches for 386 yards and four touchdowns.

In 2018, David became the Browns' main starting tight end. He played in all 16 games and had a great season. He caught 56 passes for 639 yards and scored four touchdowns.

The 2019 season was tough for David. He scored a touchdown in the first game. But in Week 2, he got hurt and suffered a broken wrist. He was out for a while but came back to play in four games later that season.

Recent Seasons (2020-2023)

In 2020, the Browns kept David by picking up an option on his contract. He had a knee injury early in the season but returned to play. He finished the year with 19 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

Njoku playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.

The 2021 season saw David play in 16 games. In one game against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had an amazing performance. He caught seven passes for 149 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown catch! He ended the season with 36 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns.

In 2022, the Browns showed how much they valued David. They gave him a "franchise tag," which keeps him with the team. Then, he signed a big four-year contract extension worth over $56 million. He played in 14 games, catching 58 passes for 628 yards and four touchdowns. He did miss some time due to an ankle injury but did not need surgery.

The 2023 season was a special one for David. Before Week 4, he had a household accident where he suffered some burns. But he recovered quickly and continued to play. In Week 14, he scored two touchdowns in one game for the first time in his career. Because of his excellent play, David was chosen for his first Pro Bowl! This is a huge honor for NFL players.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season

Postseason

Personal Life

David Njoku is proud of his heritage. In 2022, he was named a Nigerian chief in his family's village, Umuozu, in Nwangele, Imo State. This is a special honor.

In September 2023, David had a household accident where he got some burns. He has since supported the American Burn Association.