Post-OSU Update: E.J. Underwood transferred to NAIA University of Pikeville for his senior season. He went undrafted in 2006, but spent that season on injured reserve with the New York Giants after injuring his shoulder in the preseason. In 2007, Underwood was again injured in preseason but was released and signed by the Jets, only to be released shortly after. He got picked up by the Bills (completing the “New York” team cycle) that same year and signed to their practice squad. He never played a regular season game in the NFL, though. After the NFL, Underwood played in the CFL and various indoor football leagues. (updated: Aug. 2025)

Jersey #: 2 (2003-04), 49 (2002)

Major: Science (2003-04)

Weight: 175 (2002-04)

2004 Media Guide: Heads into fall camp as a contender to replace Chris Gamble at the field (wide side) cornerback position … is a fine athlete with good ball skills … two-year letter winner … Coach Jim Tressel calls him one of the most talented cornerbacks he has ever coached … played in all 14 games and made two starts in Ohio State’s 2002 national championship season … saw action in the first four games of 2003 before missing eight games with a hand injury.

2003: Played in five games, including the Fiesta Bowl vs. Kansas State … logged a total of 15 minutes, including a season-high eight minutes vs. Washington … also saw action against San Diego State, North Carolina State and Bowling Green … totaled four tackles, including three solo stops … three of those tackles came against the Huskies in the season opener.

2003 Media Guide: E.J. Underwood is a good young prospect who got his feet wet as a true freshman … played in all 14 games as a rookie and started the San Jose State and Wisconsin games when Richard McNutt was sidelined because of a chronic ankle condition … finished the year with 21 tackles, the second highest total of any true freshman … has good ball skills, is a fine athlete and is going to be an outstanding player once he gains the necessary experience … will back up two-way starter Chris Gamble and will provide quality depth when the coaches need to rest Gamble.

2002: Had a career-high five tackles in a tense 23-19 win at Cincinnati, where he played in front of a large contingent of family and friends who made the short trek from nearby Hamilton, Ohio … also broke up a pair of passes in the end zone at Cincinnati, including one late in the fourth quarter when the Bearcats were threatening to score what could have been the winning touchdown … also had five tackles against San Jose State in his first career start.

High School: A first-team Division I Associated Press All-Ohio selection this past season … considered one of the top two defensive backs in the state of Ohio and one of the best cover corner prospects in the country … in on 63 tackles as a senior … had 11 career interceptions … also a standout kick returner … had 70 tackles as a junior … rated as the nation’s 19th best cornerback prospect by Rivals.com … also runs track and plays basketball … coming in at a position where OSU needs to develop quality depth … high school coach – Ed Mignery.

Personal: Parents are Pamela and Elmer Underwood … father is a minister and mother works at IBM … has two brothers, Jamaal and Brandon, a freshman on the Ohio State football team this fall … says the best thing about playing college football is the opportunity to be a role model … his favorite memory from the 2003 season was playing under the lights in Ohio Stadium vs. Washington in the season opener … born Aug. 3, 1983.