Post-OSU Update: Chimdi Chekwa was selected with the 113th pick (4th round) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. Chekwa played 35 games across five NFL seasons (four with Oakland, one with Miami), recording 54 tackles, one forced fumble, and four passes broken up. After football, Chekwa has mostly pursued business interests, most notably opening a restaurant and working for an NIL startup that helps student-athletes maximize their earnings. (updated: Aug. 2023)

Pronunciation: CHIM-dee CHECK-wah

Major: Accounting (2010), Biology (2008), Undecided (2006-07)

Weight: 190 (2010), 188 (2008), 180 (2006-07)

2010 Media Guide: veteran defender who enters spring as one of the most versatile and experienced components of the Buckeyes’ secondary … will provide key leadership to the defensive backfield.

2009: Honorable mention all-Big Ten … sixth on the team with 43 tackles and team leader with seven PBU … five tackles against Navy … four tackles vs. USC … four tackles and a pass breakup against Illinois … three solo stops at Indiana … five tackles in the Wisconsin win … five tackles at Purdue … four tackles and a pass breakup in the Minnesota win … pair of tackles at Penn State … seven tackles in Iowa win … third-year letterwinner … part of the 2009 Big Ten champion 4×100 relay in outdoor track.

2008: Regular starter at corner … 30 tackles for the season … picked off USC quarterback Mark Sanchez in the endzone to end the first half … pair of tackles at Wisconsin … four solo stops and a pair of PBU in Purdue win … two solo tackles vs. Penn State, Northwestern and Michigan … led Buckeyes with 11 solo tackles in Fiesta Bowl … second-year letterman.

2008 Media Guide: One of the most versatile components of the Buckeyes’ veteran secondary … possesses excellent man-to-man coverage skills … good speed and athletic ability.

2007: Saw considerable playing time as a nickel-back … was also part of three special teams units … freshman all-Big Ten (Sporting News) … 30 tackles, 9 PBU for season … nine-yard interception against Northwestern … five solo stops at Minnesota … 10 unassisted tackles in win at Purdue … defensive player of week: Purdue … Big Ten player of week: Purdue … first-year letterman.

2006: Redshirted.

2006 Media Guide: Possesses excellent man-to-man coverage skills … good speed and athletic ability … also a track standout in high school.

High School: Picked off seven passes and broke up six more as a senior … totaled 44 tackles and recovered four fumbles … first-team All-Central Florida and second-team All-Florida … qualified for the state track championships in the 100-meter dash (10.79) … collected 41 tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, one sack and scored two touchdowns as a junior … four-year letterwinner and all-state in track.

Personal: Son of Charles and Eunice Chekwa … sister plays basketball at Mississippi State and brother ran track at Louisiana-Monroe … favorite TV show is Flavor of Love … favorite subject is Biology … favorite former Buckeye is Chris Gamble … favorite American from history is Jackie Robinson.