Former Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Ike Iwunnah probably won’t be taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he will still have a shot to prove himself to a team as an undrafted free agent.
Here’s what Iwunnah will bring to the NFL.
Measureables (via Michigan’s Pro Day)
- Height: 6-foot-2.5
- Weight: 313 pounds
- Hand: 9 7/8″
- Arm: 34″
- Wing: 81″
- Vertical: 27 1/2
- Broad: 9’1
- Short Shuttle: 4.82
- 3-Cone: 7.90
- Bench: 30
Pros
- Strong — put up 30 reps on the bench press at Michigan’s Pro Day, which would have been tied for second-most at his position group at the NFL Combine this year
- Good size for an interior defensive lineman, carrying 313 pounds well with adequate length to hold up at the point of attack
- Broad jump and vertical numbers for a player his size suggest he has some lower-body power to work with
- Developmental upside, as he is still relatively fresh in terms of wear and tear, with room to grow given his limited game experience
Cons
- Did not see game action in his first three seasons
- Only made nine tackles in his career
- The lack of statistical output makes it difficult to evaluate consistency and real in-game impact
- Testing agility numbers (short shuttle, 3-cone) are average at best, raising some concerns about lateral quickness and change of direction
- Older developmental prospect — may not have as long of a runway as younger players with similar upside
Conclusion
Iwunnah is a traits-over-production case study. The size, strength and flashes of explosiveness are intriguing enough to warrant a look, especially for teams seeking interior defensive line depth. Hell, that is one of the reasons Michigan took a chance on him late in the 2021
recruiting class. However, the lack of game experience (not in garbage time) and minimal production create some massive hurdles for his shot at making an NFL roster.
Ultimately, Iwunnah profiles as an undrafted free agent who will need time on a practice squad to refine his technique and adjust to the speed of the NFL. If he can translate his raw power and physical tools into consistent on-field production, there’s a path to sticking on a roster but that is admittedly very, very far from a sure thing.
