NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Vanderbilt defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts with the 54th overall pick.
Odeyingbo’s selection gives the Commodores at least one pick in each of the past six NFL Drafts. Vandy has had a selection in the third round or higher in each of the last five drafts, marking the longest stretch in program history. Vanderbilt’s six-year stretch of draft picks is one year shy of the program record, set from 1955-61.
The newest member of the @Colts: @dodeyingbo. #ColtsDraft | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/eq0G0cL60U
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) May 1, 2021
Odeyingbo is the second Vanderbilt draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts and the first since defensive lineman Steve Wade was a 12th-round choice in 1986. Odeyingbo is also the first Commodore defensive lineman to be drafted since Stephen Weatherly went in the seventh round to the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.
The newest member of the Horseshoe, presented by @ABethea41.@dodeyingbo | #ColtsDraft
📺 NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/tURk4nkYnb
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 1, 2021
A three-year starter and All-Southeastern Conference second team selection in 2020, Odeyingbo played in 44 career games with 29 starts for the Commodores. He collected 125 tackles, 31.0 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, one interception, one caused fumble, two fumble recoveries and 22 quarterback pressures. He has the fifth most tackles for loss in program history.
A 6-foot-6, 276-pound product of Irving, Texas, Odeyingbo tallied 33 games with two or more tackles and nine with five or more tackles, including a career-high seven stops against Texas A&M in 2020 and East Tennessee State in 2019.
Odeyingbo started the first eight games of the 2020 season before missing the finale. He finished with 32 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, nine quarterback pressures and one pass breakup. Odeyingbo paced the team in tackles for loss, sacks and quarterback pressures. He finished the season tied for 10th in the SEC in tackles for loss and tied for sixth in sacks.
In addition to his season-high tackle performance in the season opener at No. 10 Texas A&M, he added six stops in the home opener against No. 20/17 LSU.
During the 2019 campaign, Odeyingbo played in all 12 games and made 11 starts, recording 45 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and seven quarterback hurries. He lived behind the line of scrimmage against East Tennessee State, recording 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Odeyingbo also tallied 2.5 tackles for loss at Tennessee. He posted at least four tackles in six of the last eight games.
A medicine, health and society major, Odeyingbo played in 12 games in 2018 with 10 starts, recording 28 tackles (17 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. He booked a team-best two fumble recoveries and stood second on the squad in tackles for loss.
As a true freshman in 2017, Odeyingbo played in 12 games alongside his brother, Dare Odeyingbo. Dayo booked 20 tackles (10 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 quarterback sacks and one interception.
This is the vision. No compromises. Thanks @dodeyingbo for representing everything that makes Vanderbilt Football special. The full force of this program is behind you!
— Clark Lea (@Coach_Lea) May 1, 2021
