Nnamdi Agude: Tokyo latest stop on worldwide football tour

Corona, California’s own Nnamdi Agude just finished playing his first season in Japan with the Tokyo Gas-Creators and it was a memorable one.

Although it was a shortened season and strict quarantine rules were in place, Agude made his presence felt recording 11 catches, 162 yards, and 1 touchdown in the two games. And despite the fact that the season was so short, Agude was still able to enjoy Tokyo and Japanese culture.

“Tokyo is amazing, so much to see out here. It’s beautiful, tall buildings and landscapes with great food on every corner. For such a populated city, it’s a clean city and strangely enough pretty quiet even during the busiest hours.”

Before playing in the Japanese X league, Agude played the 2018 with the Langenfeld Longhorns in Germany where he led the team with 90 catches for 1,406 yards and 12 touchdowns. The next season he played wide receiver for the Helsinki Roosters helping to lead them to the Maple League championship. Agude’s large frame at 6’4 and 205 pounds combined with his quickness, and hands made him one of the most exciting players to watch in the Finnish Maple League and he topped the league by a wide margin with 23 touchdown receptions in 11 games.

Before taking his talents abroad Agude was grew up in playing soccer. His fist taste of football action came in the form of playing with his childhood friends.

“I grew up playing soccer for the majority of my childhood. I learned I was good at football from playing street ball in my neighborhood with my best friend and other kids that lived near us.  I knew I wanted to be a wide receiver by watching Randy Moss highlights.”

After battling injuries, Agude exploded on the scene his senior year in high school catching 10 touchdown passes and earning all-conference honors. His big senior year had given him a few options to continue his career, and in the end Agude decided to head north up the California coast line to join the Sacramento State Hornets (NCAA D1 FCS) .

“I chose Sac State because it was one of few options I had at the time. I didn’t want to go play Junior College ball for a year or two, to be honest. But when I actually took my official visit with my mom, met my teammates to be, and saw the campus I will be attending, I felt at home.”

But Agude’s football career really started to catch fire during his redshirt-junior season, collecting  1156 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving. This breakout season along with a solid performance his senior year landed Agude a spot in the Arizona Cardinals rookie Minicamp, A experience he is  thankful for.

“I was fortunate to be able to get a call and compete at Arizona’s rookie minicamp. I thought I did well and got feedback from coach’s there I did well but I learned the professional side of the game that summer and got cut from the team.”

After his summer in the NFL, Agude played for the Colorado Crush of the Arena football league in 2017, before making his way to Europe.

Agude’s current football goals are to come back to Tokyo and dominate with former Toledo University quarterback Terrance Owens.

“My QB that declined to come out this year due to the covid-19 uncertainty and his family. But he will be here in January and I’m looking forward to playing with him and lighting it up next season.”

Look for the Owens and Agude to be responsible for a lot of touchdowns next in Tokyo next season!