Senio Kelemete (born May 10, 1990) is a former American football offensive guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers. He attended the University of Washington from 2008 to 2011.

Senio Kelemete
No. 64, 65, 68
Position:Offensive guard
Personal information
Born: (1990-05-10) May 10, 1990 (age 34)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:301 lb (137 kg)
Career information
High school:Seattle (WA) Evergreen
College:Washington
NFL draft:2012 / round: 5 / pick: 151
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:97
Games started:44
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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A native of Seattle, Washington, Kelemete attended Evergreen High School, where he was a four-year starter on the varsity football team. As a junior in 2006, he earned first-team all-league as both and offensive and defensive lineman as he helped the team to an 8–2 record. In 2007, Evergreen went 9–2 and went the state playoffs for the first time since 2001 while Kelemete was honored as the Seamount League's Lineman of the Year on both offense and defense.

Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Kelemete was ranked as the No. 45 offensive tackle prospect in his class.[citation needed] He chose Washington over offers from California, and Oregon State. The Huskies recruited Kelemete as a defensive lineman.

College career

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In his true freshman season, Kelemete played in eight of the Huskies' 12 games as a defensive tackle, including four starts: vs. BYU, Oklahoma, Stanford, and Arizona. In the off-season, he was moved over to offensive line, and started 11 of the Huskies' 12 games at right guard (all but UCLA) in 2009. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors and was named the John P. Angel Lineman of the Year at the Huskies' postseason awards banquet.

For his junior year, Kelemete was moved from guard to left tackle and named team captain. He started all 13 games, one of only two UW o-linemen to do so. Still a team captain in 2011, Kelemete started all 13 games at left tackle again, and was named second-team All-Pac-12. He was a member of the North team at the 2012 Senior Bowl.

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Projected as a fourth round selection by Sports Illustrated, he was ranked as the No. 9 offensive guard prospect.[1] Kelemete was praised for his "great use of body positioning and blocking angles", but criticized for his lack of "top footwork in pass protection".[2]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+58 in
(1.92 m)
307 lb
(139 kg)
33+12 in
(0.85 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
5.52 s 1.88 s 3.06 s 4.58 s 7.77 s 25 in
(0.64 m)
8 ft 5 in
(2.57 m)
21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[3]

Arizona Cardinals

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The Arizona Cardinals selected Kelemete in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. The Arizona Cardinals selected three offensive linemen in 2012, including Bobby Massie (fourth round) and Nate Potter (seventh round).[4] Kelemete was the highest UW offensive lineman selected since Joe Toledo in 2006.

In his first NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Kelemete became the first offensive lineman in NFL history to make a reception in his debut when he caught a deflected Brian Hoyer pass intended for wide receiver Andre Roberts for 10 yards.[5][6]

New Orleans Saints

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He was signed to the New Orleans Saints' practice squad on September 2, 2013.[7] He was released on September 24, 2013, but was re-signed to their practice squad on September 26, 2013. On March 4, 2016, the Saints re-signed Kelemete to a two-year deal.

In 2017, Kelemete's versatility was on display as the Saints' primary backup guard and tackle, starting eight games at both guard and tackle spots.

Houston Texans

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On March 14, 2018, Kelemete signed a three-year contract with the Houston Texans.[8][9] He was named the starting left guard to begin the 2018 season. He started 14 games, missing two due to injury. On September 25, 2019, Kelemete was placed on injured reserve.[10]

On July 27, 2020, Kelemete signed a one-year contract extension with the Texans.[11] He was released by the Texans on February 23, 2021.[12]

San Francisco 49ers

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On June 11, 2021, Kelemete signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[13] He was released on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[14][15]

Los Angeles Chargers

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On October 12, 2021, Kelemete was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers off the 49ers practice squad.[16]

On June 14, 2022, the New Orleans Saints hosted Kelemete for a workout, but no deal was reached.[17]

Personal life

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Senio is married to Giovana Kelemete, mother to Senio Jr.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "2012 NFL Draft: Breakdowns by Position". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Senio Kelemete - 2012 Draft Tracker - SI.com". Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  3. ^ "NFL Draft News".
  4. ^ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  5. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers 2012 REG 17 - Game Center". Nfl.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  6. ^ "Arizona Cardinals: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights".
  7. ^ "Fleur-de-Links: Saints Fill Out Practice Squad". September 2, 2013.
  8. ^ "Texans sign Colvin, Fulton, Henderson, Kelemete". HoustonTexans.com. March 15, 2018.
  9. ^ Gantt, Darin (March 14, 2018). "Texans signing Saints guard Senio Kelemete". Profootballtalk.
  10. ^ Wilson, Aaron (September 25, 2019). "Texans place Senio Kelemete on IR, promote Tyrell Adams". Chron.com. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  11. ^ Gantt, Darin (July 27, 2020). "Texans extending Senio Kelemete". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  12. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (2-23-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "49ers Sign OL Senio Kelemete". 49ers.com. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  14. ^ "49ers Announce Initial 53-Man Roster Ahead of NFL Deadline". 49ers.com. August 31, 2021.
  15. ^ "49ers Sign 13 Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  16. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Guard Senio Kelemete; Place Oday Aboushi on Injured Reserve". Chargers.com. October 12, 2021.
  17. ^ "Former Saints OL Senio Kelemete among 4 tryout free agents at minicamp". June 14, 2022.
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