Exit interview: Edefuan Ulofoshio on the NFL Combine, playing for a national title, NIL and more
The sixth-year Washington linebacker reflects on his college career.
Edefuan Ulofoshio played the past two seasons with degree in hand, his studies in Public Health-Global Health complete by June 2022. Yet it remained uncertain, until the 2023 season concluded, whether the former walk-on linebacker would leave college having accomplished what he desired on the football field.
The COVID-19 pandemic shortened the 2020 season for every UW player, and injuries — first to his bicep, then to an ACL — wiped out large portions of 2021 and 2022 for Ulofoshio. He had earned a scholarship and become one of the team’s most important leaders — and one of its best defensive players — but had yet to start and finish a full season as a starter.
Karmic reconciliation arrived in 2023. Ulofoshio finally got his full season — 15 games worth, including an appearance in the national championship — plus first-team all-conference honors and recognition as a Butkus Award finalist. Earlier this month, he led all linebackers at the NFL Combine with a 39 ½ -inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump, and clocked an impressive 4.56 in the 40-yard dash.
As he readies for his pro future, Ulofoshio took some time to reflect on his UW career, the national championship game, Kalen DeBoer’s departure, representing Alaska, beating Oregon and more. Questions and responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.