Northern Arizona Wranglers Sign Linebacker/Defensive End Chizi Umunakwe Ahead of 2025 Season

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IFL Northern Arizona Wranglers

Northern Arizona Wranglers Sign Linebacker/Defensive End Chizi Umunakwe Ahead of 2025 Season

February 27, 2025 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Northern Arizona Wranglers News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Northern Arizona Wranglers are excited to announce the signing of a linebacker/defensive end to the 2025 roster, Chizi Umunakwe. (This signing is presented by Tis' Art Center and Gallery.)

Umunakwe (6'1 - 230 lbs.) enters his first season in the Indoor Football League with the Wranglers. In 2023, Umunakwe earned the opportunity to play for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL.) Umunakwe played in five games for the Redblacks and recorded six tackles. Before playing in the CFL, Umunakwe participated in a Rookie mini-camp for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Umunakwe also participated in a UFL Showcase last October and had discussions with various coaches about playing for their teams. Umunakwe received a few offers to play in the IFL and now looking forward to starting his career in the league and showcasing his skills on film with the Wranglers.

Umunakwe concluded his collegiate career at Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn., where he played two seasons. Umunakwe was an absolute force on defense, earning numerous awards and recognitions. In 2022, Umunakwe was recognized as The Phil Steele Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Umunakwe also earned a spot on the 2022 All-New England First Team, All-NEC First Team, and the Phil Steele First Team All-NEC. During this dominant final season, Umunakwe was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which recognizes one defensive player for the most outstanding performance in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. During the year prior, Umunakwe was also selected as a member of the 2021 All-NEC Second Team. In just two seasons at Connecticut State, Umunakwe notched 144 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. Before transferring to Connecticut State, Umunakwe played two seasons at Townson University in Townson, Md. Umunakwe was a key contributor to their defense as well, recording 43 total tackles.

Umunakwe was born in Owerri, Nigeria, and moved to The Bronx, N.Y. when he was eight years old. Umunakwe attended Kennedy High School and spent one season at Trinity Pauling High School for a Post-Graduate year. Regarding his inspiration to start playing football, Umunakwe said, "I have always loved sports, growing up in Nigeria I started out by playing soccer." Umunakwe expanded by stating, "After I moved to The Bronx, I got into basketball, and I didn't get into football until my sophomore year of high school." Umunakwe then recalled an experience in school that inspired him to try playing football. He said, "In school, we watched this movie called When the Game Stands Tall, it was inspiring. If you know the story behind the movie, a school had a longstanding winning streak that spanned 151 games. The team lost a game, and their coaching staff told them that it was not about the streak, it was about the band of brotherhood that they built and who they are as a team." After watching the movie, Umunakwe took the initiative to talk to his high school football coach about playing football. Umunakwe was also encouraged by his peers to play the sport due to his strength and athleticism.

Regarding what drives Umunakwe to continue playing, he said, "My family drives me, my mom, my younger brothers, and my dad who passed away from Cancer after my freshman year of college. Coming from Nigeria, my parents always wanted me to work a traditional job, but I had a passion for sports. I made a promise to my dad that I would keep chasing a career that I was passionate about and be the best player I could be." Umunakwe wants to continue to chase his dream of playing professional football and give back to his family and friends who have supported him on his journey. Umunakwe also added to this by saying, "Football has opened a lot of doors for me, and I want to keep working hard and be an inspiration for others, If I could help just one person with my story that would be enough."

Umunakwe is excited to join the Wranglers organization and for the opportunity to play in the IFL. Umunakwe said, "I am very grateful to the NAZ Wranglers organization and coach James for the opportunity to keep playing and get back to the level of play that I know I am capable of, I know that I can produce on the field at a high level with my skills." Umunakwe also said, "I am looking forward to contributing my knowledge and experience of playing professionally to the Wranglers organization and the goal is to help the team win a Championship, that is the mindset." Umunakwe is excited to meet his teammates and coaches to build relationships with the team. Umunakwe also said, "I want to carry the mindset that we are professional players but can also do more for the community of Prescott Valley and make a positive impact on the fans and I can't wait to give back to the community."

What can Wranglers fans expect from Umunakwe as a player? Umunakwe said, "I am a player who has a lot of speed and strength, Wranglers fans can expect crash-out hits and big plays on defense from me." Umunakwe closed his thoughts by saying, "I take pride in my work ethic and motor, it is a privilege to play football and have the opportunity to play professionally."

The Northern Arizona Wranglers 2025 HOME games, with dates and matchups, are listed below. (All games are listed in AZ time.)

Saturday, March 29th, 6:05 P.M. vs Fishers Freight

Saturday, April 19th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls

Sunday, May 18th, 3:05 P.M. vs Massachusetts Pirates

Saturday, May 24th, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers

Saturday, June 7th, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks

Saturday, June 14th, 6:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force

Saturday, June 28th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers

Saturday, July 12th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls

Grab your Season Tickets for the 2025 season today! Deposit through the link below and we will contact you to select your seats!

https://sparkpages.io/?i=_A1lb

For any Season Ticket inquiries, call us at 928-379-5581

You can also email ticketdirector@nazwranglers.com

Written by: Tucker Welch



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