The Las Vegas Raiders were one of eight teams to sign a player from the NFL’s International Player Pathway
program in May 2023.
Their new signing was Nigerian defensive defender David Ebuka Agoha, a former Premier Basketball League star
who switched to football.
Ebuka Agoha made his presence felt in Week 2 of the 2023 preseason, recording the Raiders’ only sack in a victory
over the Los Angeles Rams.
Unfortunately, the rookie defensive tackle did not play in any regular-season games this season.
Last month, the Raiders signed Ebuka Agoha on a reserve/future deal. His one-year contract is for $795, 000.
Ebuka Agoha first gained attention through former All-Pro defensive end Osi Umenyiora’s The Uprise campaign. He
and the five other Nigerians who graduated from the IPP last year visited the NFL Africa Camp in Ghana in 2022.
Umenyiora was colleagues with Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce for all five of his seasons with the New York Giants.
Ebuka Agoha and his fellow IPP competitors were able to train and showcase their abilities over a 10-week training
camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. They also had a professional day at the University of South Florida.
The International Player Pathway program was launched in 2017 with the goal of providing exceptional talents from
all around the world with an opportunity to play in the NFL.
Ebuka Agoha still has a long way to go before he can earn another season as a Raider, but after coming this far, you
can bet he’ll keep working hard to get there.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be hosted in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis,
Indiana.
The NFL Draft will take place in Detroit, Michigan, on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders presently have the
13th overall pick.
