Adetomiwa Adebawore: Indianapolis Colts Rookie Files

Adebawore (pronounced add-E-BAR-eh) was born on March 4, 2001, in Kansas City, Mo. His parents are Nigerian-born and immigrated to the United States during the mid-1990s. But back in Nigeria, the Adebawores hold more importance.

His father is a Nigerian prince descending from the Yoruba tribe. Because his father is a prince, Adebawore is technically a prince himself.

“I don’t know the full details, I just know that I’m a prince, (my dad) is a prince, and my grandpa is a King,” Adebawore told WGN9. “And we all come from this village in Nigeria … It’s one of those stories my dad would tell me and it just stuck with me.”

Being part of a royal family, it is easy to wonder why the Adebawores left their home and moved to the United States. It comes down to his parents wanting more opportunities for Adebawore and his three younger brothers.

“My parents were born in Nigeria, so there wasn’t as many opportunities,” Adebawore said to FOX4 in Kansas City. "They taught me a lot of things early, like not to be influenced by other people. Don’t think because someone is doing this, you have to do it.”

Adebawore's parents instilled in him the value of hard work. Whether it was school or sports, Adebawore was a standout and gave it his all. His parents had moved halfway across the world to give him better opportunities, and he would not waste it.

Adebawore did not start playing football until his freshman year at Kansas City North High School. It did not take long to make a good impression, as he was brought up to varsity that same season.

As a four-year letterman, Adebawore really came on during his senior year. He racked up 74 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks on the way to being named conference defensive player of the year in 2018. He also earned First-Team All-State, All-District, and All-Conference while leading Kansas City North to a 9-2 record and playoff appearance.

Adebawore enjoyed success as a track athlete as well. He won the 5A state championship for shot put as a senior by breaking the state record by over 18 inches. Adebawore also finished second in the state championships for discus.

He became an outstanding athlete while excelling in academics. Adebawore mostly took honors classes at Kansas City North and was praised by his teachers for his dedication to his studies. If a future in football was not an option, Adebawore would ensure he thrived in whatever path he chose.

Adebawore was a three-star recruit and received numerous offers to continue his football career. Schools like Army, Navy, and Washington State came calling for the fierce defensive linemen. His academic success allowed him to receive offers from Yale, Princeton, and Cornell.

But in the end, Adebawore chose Northwestern for both academics and football. He was entering Big Ten country for a chance to show his talents on a much bigger stage.

Coming to Northwestern as a three-star recruit, Adebawore would need to prove himself and earn playing time. He did not receive the same hype as five-star prospects do. But working hard at his craft was nothing new to Adebawore.

As a freshman, Adebawore played sparingly and appeared in only eight games. While he registered just six tackles and a sack, Northwestern coaches noticed his potential and could see he was setting himself up for a bigger role in the future.

Heading into his sophomore campaign, Adebawore earned himself a starting job on the Wildcats' defensive line while proving to be an example for his teammates. He finished with 17 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks in a shortened 2020 season.

But it was his junior season where Adebawore had truly arrived. Whether playing outside or inside, he was the best defensive lineman for the Wildcats, and teams around the Big Ten began to notice. Adebawore tallied 36 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles on the way to being named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.

His senior season was much of the same. Teams tried to avoid Adebawore, but the athletic big man continued to pose problems for opposing offenses. He finished his career at Northwestern with 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles while being named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten for the second consecutive year.

Adebawore became a star for the Wildcats' defense. Altogether, Adebawore had 97 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and six pass deflections. His impact was felt on the field and in the locker room as he was voted a team captain his senior year and helped transform the culture at Northwestern into a competitive, accountable environment.

Adebawore left his mark on the Northwestern program, and his hard work and determination proved he could succeed at the top levels of college football. It was time to turn his dreams into a reality as he declared for the NFL Draft in pursuit of a career in professional football.

Adebawore came into the pre-draft process with some question marks surrounding him. He was seen as a tweener, meaning it was hard to peg him at one position on the defensive line. His team at Northwestern did not experience much success either, leading to questions about his overall impact. He would need to answer both questions for NFL evaluators over the next few months.

Things got off to a great start at the Reese's Senior Bowl as Adebawore showed off his athleticism and motor. He was practically unblockable all week, dominating offensive linemen projected to go high in this spring's draft. Adebawore was voted the defensive line practice player of the week for the National team by coaches and teammates, proving he had earned the respect of his peers.

“I wanted to show teams I’m very athletic, intelligent, and versatile,” Adebawore admitted. “I wanted to show that I could be relentless, you know, running to the ball, and I feel like I did all of those things.”

The next big event in the process was the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The Combine is a chance for players to show off their athleticism on the field and meet with teams off of it. Abebawore took this opportunity to show the kind of all-world athlete he is.

At just under 6'2" and 282 pounds, Adebawore blew everyone away with a 4.49 40-yard dash. He became the first player in Combine history to run the 40 in under 4.5 seconds while weighing over 280 pounds. Along with his blazing speed, Adebawore showed off his explosiveness with a 37.5-inch vertical and 10'5" broad jump.

The Senior Bowl and Combine proved Adebawore belonged as one of the top defensive linemen in the class. His name began to generate first-round buzz after his historic Combine performance. It seemed he would not have to wait very long to hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft.

However, when the draft came, Adebawore began to slide. The first round went by on Day 1. Day 2 saw the second and third rounds conclude with Adebawore still out there.

As the fourth round began on Day 3, one team saw their chance to steal the uber-athletic defender. While they did not spend much time with him, the Colts loved Adebawore's game and saw him as a great fit for their defense. The Colts selected Adebawore with the No.110 pick, ending the slide and giving him an NFL home.

"I’ve only met with some of their scouts through the Senior Bowl and the (NFL) Combine," Adebawore revealed when he was drafted. "So, I’ve known a few of those scouts throughout this whole process and they seemed to always have that interest in me. So, I’m really excited to be a part of their team.”

Adebawore brings his athletic versatility to a Colts' defensive line stacked with athletes. His ability to play inside and outside fits with some of the other talents on the Colts. He figures to be a moveable chess piece for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and defensive line coach Nate Ollie.

Adebawore has great length with almost 34-inch arms despite only being 6'2". His quick hands and relentless motor makes it difficult for blockers to stay with him through the whistle. He displays great initial burst off the line of scrimmage and can push back blockers with his play strength.

While Adebawore has the size of a defensive end – and is listed as such on the Colts' official roster – most of his playing time will likely come on the interior. He projects as a backup three-technique behind DeForest Buckner as he continues to work on his game. His position versatility should help him see the field as a rotational piece on the defensive line as a rookie.

Even if Adebawore starts as a depth piece for the Colts, his past has shown that he carries a determination and passion for his craft where he is never satisfied. Whether in football or academics, Adebawore has attacked everything head-on. The work ethic instilled in him goes back to his parents, who have never relied on their royal status to get ahead.

He may be an African prince, but Adebawore seeks to be considered amongst another royal family when his career is over: Colts' royalty.

More Rookie Files

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• WR Josh Downs
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