Toben Opurum (born November 18, 1990) is a former American football fullback. Opurum played in college at the University of Kansas. Opurum was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs. Opurum has also played for the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints.
College career
Opurum was recruited as a running back by Kansas. As a freshman, Opurum rushed for 554 yards and 9 touchdowns.[1]
Opurum began playing linebacker his sophomore year.[2] His sophomore year, he recorded 21 tackles and 1 sack. Following his sophomore year, he was named Academic All Big-12.
As a junior, Opurum recorded 45 tackles and 4 sacks. His performance his junior year earned Opurum an honorable mention on the All Big-12 team that season.
His senior year, Opurum recorded 41 tackles and 1 and a half sacks.
Professional career
Kansas City Chiefs
After going undrafted, Opurum signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on May 17, 2013.[3] He played fullback during the Kansas City Chiefs' 2013 preseason, but was released during the Kansas City Chiefs' final cuts. He was then signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. He was cut and re-signed to the practice squad several times during the 2013 season.[4]
Houston Texans
On December 24, 2013, Opurum was signed by the Houston Texans off the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. Opurum was released during the final round of cuts of the 2014 preseason, but was signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers. He was released on October 7, 2014.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints signed Opurum to their practice squad on December 11, 2014.[5]
He was waived for final roster cuts before the start of the 2015 season, but was signed to the practice squad on September 6, 2015.[6][7] On December 16, 2015, Opurum was promoted to the 53-man roster. He was waived on December 25, 2015, Opurum was waived by the Saints. He was promoted back to the active roster on January 3, 2016.
On May 9, 2016, Opurum was released by the Saints. [8]
Denver Broncos
On May 10, 2016, Opurum was claimed via waivers by the Denver Broncos,[9] but was waived two days later after a failed physical. [10]
References
- ^ "Toben Opurum profile". WashingtonPost.com.
- ^ "Toben Opurum player profile". KUAthletics.com.
- ^ Ferrin, Reid (May 17, 2013). "Chiefs Sign FB Toben Opurum". KCCheifs.com. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
- ^ Ferrin, Reid (September 21, 2013). "Chiefs Sign Toben Opurum to Practice Squad". KCChiefs.com. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
- ^ "Sean Payton talks about Kenny Vaccaro". NewOrleansSaints.com. December 11, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints announce transactions to meet 53-man limit". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 6, 2015. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints announce practice squad moves, waiver claims". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 6, 2015. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- ^ "Saints sign RB Kendall Hunter, promote FB Toben Opurum". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
- ^ "Broncos awarded fullback Toben Opurum via waivers". DenverBroncos.com. May 10, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ "Broncos waive Toben Opurum 3 days after his release by Saints". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
