The Seattle Seahawks signed former Bears offensive tackle Frank Omiyale this week and I figured it would be pertinent to get a little bit of background on the newest member of the team.
Omiyale was born in Nashville, Tennessee on November 23, 1982. He played his college ball at Tennessee Tech and made the All-America team for Division I-AA in 2004 before being drafted by the Altanta Falcons in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
He didn’t make the active roster as a rookie and only played in a single game for the first three years of his career until he was claimed by the Panthers in 2008. Omiyale made his first start in place of Jordan Gross on October 5, 2008. After the season, the Bears signed him to a four-year, $14 million contract.
Omiyale made 31 starts in three years for Chicago before being released after the year and picked up by Seattle this week. He has played at both tackle positions and at guard, giving him versatility although he lost his starting job in Chicago because of ineffectiveness.
He’s not expected to compete for a starting job, but he gives the Hawks the depth on the offensive line that they sorely need.
His name is pronounced, “Oh, me? Yahli?”
Yes, you Yahli.