| Kenechi
Udeze
Scout.com Headlines: |
Feet failed retired Udeze
Vikings coach Brad Childress explained what put an end to Kenechi Udeze’s career.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jul 31, 2009 |
Udeze retirement official
Kenechi Udeze fought through emotions and neuropathy, but eventually retired this week.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jul 30, 2009 |
DE Kenechi Udeze: Vikings Place DE on Retired List
-by ScoutNFLNetwork.com
Jul 30, 2009 |
DE Kenechi Udeze: Cancer survivor retires
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jul 30, 2009 |
Vikings have other contracts to consider too 
Antoine Winfield is far from the only Viking whose contract is up after the 2009 season.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jul 8, 2009 |
Photo Gallery: Battling defenders
A look at some of the defensive linemen trying to find a roster spot and Brad Childress’ "hair."
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jun 17, 2009 |
Seven Points, Vikings: Minicamp impressions
From the young additions to those returning from injury, minicamp helped shape some opinions.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jun 1, 2009 |
Notebook: Udeze still overcoming obstacles
Kenechi Udeze talked about his comeback, his struggles and the remaining obstacle left to overcome.
-by VikingUpdate.com
May 30, 2009 |
Lurtsema’s Reaction: Line play, QBs & Harvin
Bob Lurtsema came away with some opinions on a couple of OL, Udeze, Percy Harvin and the QBs.
-by VikingUpdate.com
May 24, 2009 |
Kenechi’s comeback moves forward
After battling for his life a year ago, Udeze's presence on the practice field was a welcome site.
-by VikingUpdate.com
May 22, 2009 |
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Ht: 6-3
Wt: 281
| Date of Birth: |
03/05/1983 |
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| Biography: |
How Acquired: Taken with the 20th pick of the first round in the 2004 draft by the Vikings.
Injury History: Missed 13 games in 2005 after going down with what the team medical staff termed a “condral defect” (layman’s terms: “cartilage damage”) in the meniscus of his left knee. Will miss the entire 2008 after being diagnosed with leukemia that was said to be in remission in April.
Future Contract Status
Career Stats: FoxSports.com Player Page
2008: Placed on reserve/non-football illness list in April, ending his season so he can concentrate on recovering from leukemia and a bone marrow transplant.
2007: Tied for the team lead and tied a career high with five sacks. Added 53 tackles, including five for a loss, 30 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery that he returned for 37 yards. Was part of the league’s leading run defense.
2006: Started all 16 games, recording 45 tackles (30 solo), 41 quarterback hurries, 13 tackles for a loss and one fumble recovery. His 13 tackles for a loss led the team and his 41 QB hurries ranked second. Did not record a sack the entire season, which had the Vikings front-office types looking for pass rushers in both free agency and the draft following the 2006 season.
2005: Played in three games, starting two before suffering a knee injury vs. the Saints in Week 3 that required season-ending surgery. In the brief time he was on the field prior to the injury, he had five tackles and one sack.
2004: Started 15 of 16 games as a rookie, playing through a lingering shoulder injury that required surgery after the season. Finished with 42 tackles, 21 QB hurries, and his five sacks were sixth-best in team history by a rookie.
College: One of the nation's premier defensive ends in 2003, Udeze guided the Trojans to a share of the national title in 2003 as the leader of what was regarded to be the premier defensive line in college football. A dominating pass rusher who combines size, speed and strength to defeat double-team coverage. Three-year starter (36 of 37 games) recorded 135 tackles (94 solos) with 28 sacks for minus-185 yards, 51 stops for losses of 245 yards, a school career-record 14 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, an interception, five pass deflections and two blocked kicks. A first-round draft pick of the Vikings.
Personal: Attended Verbum Dei (Los Angeles, Calif.) High. His 1999 honors included Super Prep All-American, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Tom Lemming All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention, Orange County Register Fab 15 honorable mention, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Las Vegas Sun Super 11 honorable mention, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Small Schools first team, All-CIF Division XI first team, Los Angeles Times All-Central City first team and All-Camino Real League Defensive MVP as a senior two-way lineman. |
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