Mike Onwenu

Michael Onwenu was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Michael Onwenu was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2021 (16/8, 1/0)

• Started at left guard and played every snap of the team's first three games of the season.
• Saw a reduced roll on the offensive line in the second half vs. Tampa Bay (10/3). Came in for a goal line situation in the fourth quarter.
• Placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list on 10/5.
• Reinstated from the COVID-19/Reserve list on 10/14.
• Returned to the field but did not start vs. Dallas (10/17) as he rotated in at right tackle, the first time he has played the position in 2021. Also took snaps as tackle-eligible.
• Made his first start of the 2021 season at right tackle vs. N.Y. Jets (10/24). He started the first four games of the year at left guard and played for the first time at right tackle vs. Dallas when he rotated in. He started at right tackle in 10 games as a rookie in 2020.
• Started at right tackle at L.A. Chargers (10/31) and at Carolina (11/7).
• Appeared briefly as a right tackle in place of Trent Brown vs. Cleveland (11/14) as well as a tackle-eligible tight end.
• Played minimal snaps on the offensive line and special teams at Atlanta (11/18), including two snaps as tackle-eligible.
• Came in briefly in the second quarter at left guard vs. Tennessee (11/28) for OL Ted Karras.
• Served as tackle-eligible at Buffalo (12/6) as the Patriots went to a 6-man front for a significant portion of the game.
• Served as tackle-eligible at Indianapolis (12/18).
• Started on the offensive line and served as a tackle-eligible tight end vs. Buffalo (12/26).
• Played most of the game as tackle-eligible vs. Jacksonville (1/2) and came in late at guard in a 50-10 victory.
• Rotated in at left guard and as tackle-eligible, as well as on special teams at Miami (1/9).
• Served as tackle-eligible in his first playoff game in the Wild Card Round loss at Buffalo (1/15).

2020 (16/16)

• Named to the Pro Football Writers All-Rookie Team.
• Started all 16 games - 10 at right tackle, 3 at right guard, two at tackle-eligible tight end and one at left guard as part of an offensive line that finished fourth in the NFL in total rushing yards )2,346) and rush yards per game (146.6). The 2,346 yards rushing and 4.67 average yards per rush marked the fourth-highest totals in team history.
• Made his NFL debut and played in a starting role as a tackle eligible tight end and on special teams in the season-opening win vs. Miami (9/13). Also subbed in at right tackle for Jermaine Eluemenor for one series in the second half.
• Started as a tackle eligible tight end and saw action played mostly in short-yardage and goal-line situations and five special teams snaps in a loss at Seattle (9/20).
• Started for the third consecutive game, made his first start at left guard in a Week 3 win vs. Las Vegas (9/27) when Joe Thuney moved from left guard to center due to injury to David Andrews. Also helped pave the way for 250 yards rushing from the offense.
• Made his fourth consecutive start on offensive line this time it was his first start at right guard. Filled in for Shaq Mason, who was inactive due to injury at Kansas City (10/5). Helped block for 185 yards rushing.
• Started at right guard in place of Shaw Mason in a Week 6 loss vs. Denver (10/18). When starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor left the game in the first quarter with an injury, Onwenu moved to right tackle and Hjalte Froholdt entered the game at right guard. Onwenu moved to left guard to start the second half when Isaiah Wynn moved from left guard to left tackle.
• Started for the sixth straight game; first at right tackle in a Week 7 loss vs. San Francisco (10/25). Moved to left guard in the third quarter when Joe Thuney left with an injury and Justin Herron moved to right tackle. Onwenu moved back to right tackle when Herron left with an injury.
• Started at right tackle, played very offensive snap in a Week 8 loss at Buffalo (11/1).
• Played every offensive snap at right tackle in Week 9 win at the Jets (11/9).
• Started and played all 58 offensive snaps at guard in a Week 10 win vs. Baltimore (11/15). Helped play a key role in blocking for the Patriot run game that racked up 173 yards from scrimmage.
• Played all offensive snaps at tackle in a Week 11 loss at Houston (11/22). Played a key role in not allowing JJ Watt to record a sack on Cam Newton. Watt has over 100 career regular season sacks ut no sacks in seven regular season contests against New England.
• Started at right tackle and played there for every offensive snap in a Week 12 win vs. Arizona (11/29).
• Was the only player on offense to play all 67 snaps and did so at right tackle in a Week 13 win at the Chargers (12/6).
• Stared and played every snap at right tackle in a Week 14 loss at the Rams (12/10).
• Started an played all 55 offensive snaps at right tackle in a Week 15 loss at Miami (12/20).
• Started at right tackle and played every offensive snap in a Week 16 loss vs. Buffalo (12/28). Moved from right tackle to right guard when Shaq Mason left with an injury.

COLLEGE

• Was a four-year letterman at Michigan and a two-time All-Big Ten third team selection (2018-19).
• Appeared in 46 career games, playing along the offensive line in 41 contests.
• Started 35 games at guard, also contributing on PAT/field goal protection units throughout his career.
• Was an All-Big Ten third team (coaches) and All-Big Ten honorable mention (media) selection in 2019, starting all 13 games at right guard as a senior.
• Was an All-Big Ten third team (coaches) and All-Big Ten honorable mention (media) selection in 2018, starting all 13 games at right guard, including against Florida in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (12/29).
• Started nine games and played in 11 contests as a sophomore in 2017.
• Played in nine games, also seeing action on field-goal protection unit and on the defensive line as a freshman in 2016.

PERSONAL:

• Born Dec. 10, 1997.
• Enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, majoring in general studies.

HONORS & AWARDS:

• 2020: PFWA All-Rookie Team