Some names are easier to pronounce than others. This is especially true when it comes to the NFL Draft, where there are always a number of prospects whose monikers present unique verbal challenges. The phonetic spellings in this guide will help you correctly pronounce all of those difficult names.
A
Nasir Adderley, Delaware ….. “na-seer adder-lee”
Freedom Akinmoladun, Nebraska ….. “ackin-MOLA-dune”
Otaro Alaka, Texas A&M ….. “oh-TAR-oh ah-LOCK-ah”
Joey Alfieri, Stanford ….. “alf-ee-AIR-ee”
Nick Allegretti, Illinois ….. “al-uh-GRET-ee”
Ugochukwu Amadi, Oregon ….. “oo-go-choo-koo uh-MOD-ee”
Jesse Aniebonam, Maryland ….. “ANNA-bone-um”
JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford ….. “are-say-guh”
Ryquell Armstead, Temple ….. “ra-KWELL”
George Asafo-Adjei, Kentucky ….. “ah‐SAH‐fo ad‐JAY”
Dravon Askew-Henry, West Virginia ….. “Dray-vaughn”
Blessuan Austin, Rutgers ….. “BLESS-awn”
B
Dameon Baber, Nevada ….. “DAY-me-uhn BAY-ber”
Derrick Baity, Kentucky ….. “batey”
Corrion Ballard, Utah ….. “kory-ahn”
Ben Banogu, T.C.U. ….. “ban-uh-goo”
Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin ….. “BEN-shawl”
Ronheen Bingham, Arkansas St. ….. “Ron‐HEEN”
Khari Blasingame, Vanderbilt ….. “car-EE”
David Blough, Purdue ….. “like Plough”
Jacob Bobenmoyer, Northern Colorado ….. “BOB-en-moy-er”
Jamauri Bogan, Western Michigan ….. “juh-MAAR-ee”
Dominick Bragalone, Lehigh ….. “Brag-alone”
Nick Brossette, L.S.U. ….. “bro-Sett”
Qua Boyd, West Alabama ….. “qway”
Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Michigan ….. “Bush-L-Bait-e”
C
Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia ….. “ka-JUST”
Squally Canada, B.Y.U. ….. “squall-ee”
Jerard Carter, Houston ….. “Juh-rard”
Khairi Clark, Florida ….. “Kerry”
Te’von Coney, Notre Dame ….. “tay-von”
Thomas Costigan, Bryant ….. “COST-uh-gihn”
Damarea Crockett, Missouri ….. “DUH-marr-ee-aye”
Koron Crump, Arizona St. ….. “co-RON”
D
Kahzin Daniels, Charleston ….. “Kah-zin”
Michael Deiter, Wisconsin ….. “DEE-ter”
Elkanah Dillon, Oregon ….. “EL-CANE-ugh”
Winston Dimel, U.T.E.P. ….. “DIM-ul”
Jacob Dolegala, Central Connecticut St. ….. “DOLE-UH-GAAL-UH”
Mike Dudek, Illinois ….. “DOO-dec”
O’Shea Dugas, Louisiana Tech ….. “OH-SHAY DOO-GAHS”
Ashton Dulin, Malone (OH) ….. “DOO-lin”
Jovon Durante, Florida Atlantic ….. “duh-rant”
E
Alec Eberle, Florida St. ….. “Ebb-er-lee”
Emeke Egbule, Houston ….. “uh-Mek-EE Egg-Boo-Lay”
E.J. Ejiya, North Texas ….. “ay-GEE-uh”
A.J. Erdely, U.A.B. ….. “ur-duh-lee”
F
Justin Falcinelli, Clemson ….. “fal-sih-NEHL-ee”
Lo Falemaka, Utah ….. “fah-lay-ma-ka”
Brandon Fanaika, Stanford ….. “fuh-NYE-kuh”
Corey Fatony, Missouri ….. “Fuh-TOE-nee”
Clelin Ferrell, Clemson ….. “CLEE-lihn FUHR-ell”
Brian Fineanganofo, Idaho St. ….. “Finney-on-gan-o-fo”
Stefan Flintoft, UCLA ….. “STEPH-an”
Malik Fountain, Central Michigan ….. “Muh-LEEK”
Ceejhay French-Love, Arizona St. ….. “C-J”
Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas ….. “YELL-duh FRO-holt”
Travis Fulgham, Old Dominion ….. “Full-Gum”
G
Rafael Gaglianone, Wisconsin ….. “HA-fy-el GAH-glee-ah-no-nee”
Lamont Gaillard, Georgia ….. “Gill-yard”
Ty Gangi, Nevada ….. “GAN-gee”
Tyler Gauthier, Miami (FL) ….. “GO-thee-ay”
Jake Gervase, Iowa ….. “JIR-voss”
Gerri Green, Mississippi St. ….. “GAIR-ee”
Kwadra Griggs, Southern Miss ….. “Quad-dre”
Gage Gubrud, Eastern Washington ….. “goo-brood”
Porter Gustin, USC ….. “GUS-tin”
Jalen Guyton, North Texas ….. “guy-tin”
H
Saquan Hampton, Rutgers ….. “Say-quan”
Terrill Hanks, New Mexico St. ….. “Tuh-rell”
Mecole Hardman, Georgia ….. “MEE-cole”
Ajene Harris, USC ….. “uh-JAY-nay”
N’Keal Harry, Arizona St. ….. “neh-KEEL”
Montre Hartage, Northwestern ….. “mon-TRAY HEART-age”
Seth Hebert, Central Missouri ….. “Ay-bear”
George Helmuth, Fresno St. ….. “HEL-myth”
Parker Hesse, Iowa ….. “HESS-ee”
Kiy Hester, Rutgers ….. “Ky”
Karan Higdon, Michigan ….. “ka-RON”
Tabari Hines, Oregon ….. “tuh-BAR-ee”
I
Seun Idowu, Pittsburgh ….. “Shawn EYE-dough-woo”
Ridwan Issahaku, T.C.U. ….. “is-UH-ha-koo”
Jerry Iweh, Fairmont St.. ….. “E-way”
J
Soso Jamabo, UCLA ….. “Juh-MAH-bo”
Iseoluwapo Jegede, Valdosta St. ….. “Is-ee-OH-loo-WAH-po Juh-GHED-ee”
Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi St. ….. “EL-tuhn (Silent g)”
Doyin Jibowu, Fort Hayes St. ….. “DOY-in Jih-BOE-woo”
Jon’Vea Johnson, Toledo ….. “JOHN-vay”
Olabisi Johnson, Colorado St. ….. “oh-luh-BEE-see”
Tyron Johnson, Colorado St. ….. “TIE-ruhn”
K
Corbin Kaufusi, B.Y.U. ….. “Kaw-Foo-see”
Kingsley Keke, Texas A&M ….. “KEY-KEY”
Anthoula Kelly, Fresno St. ….. “An-thu-la”
Tyree Kinnel, Michigan ….. “Kinn-ill”
Jacob Knipp, Northern Colorado ….. “NIP”
Davis Koppenhaver, Duke ….. “CO-pen-hay-ver”
Sean Krepsz, Nevada ….. “KREPS”
Jordan Kunaszyk, California ….. “kuh-NAH-shick”
L
Ului Lapuaho, B.Y.U. ….. “Oo-LOO-ee Lah-poo-AH-hoh”
Jimmy Leatiota, Eastern Michigan ….. “LEE-ah-TEE-oh-tah”
C’yontai Lewis, Florida ….. “CEE-on-TAY”
Toa Lobendahn, USC ….. “TOE-uh low-ben-DON”
David Lucero, U.T.E.P. ….. “Lue-Sair-Roe”
M
Alizé Mack, Notre Dame ….. “al-Lih-zaye”
TaQuon Marshall, Georgia Tech ….. “tay-quon”
Travon McMillian, Colorado ….. “mick-MILL-en”
Lukayus McNeil, Louisville ….. “loo-KAY-is”
Bry’Kiethon Mouton, Nicholls St. ….. “Bry-keeth-un Moo-tawn”
Aaron Monteiro, Boston College ….. “Mon-TEAR-oh (Tear Rhymes with Fair)”
Patrick Mekari, California ….. “muh-CARE-ee”
Vinny Mihota, Virginia Tech ….. “muh-HOE-ta”
Bryan Mone, Michigan ….. “mo-NAY”
Sam Mustipher, Notre Dame ….. “Mus-tuh-fur”
Chris Myarick, Temple ….. “MY-rick”
Iman Marshall, USC ….. “EE-mon”
N
Isaac Nauta, Georgia ….. “NAW-tuh”
Yosuah Nijman, Virginia Tech ….. “YOSH-u-ah NYJ-man”
Keisean Nixon, South Carolina ….. “KEE-shawn”
Sean Nuernberger, Ohio St. ….. “NERN-ber-ger”
Frank Nutile, Temple ….. “New Tile”
O
Dare Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt ….. “dar-EE O-duh-yeng-BO”
Chidi Okeke, Tennessee St. ….. “Chid-ee O-kee-kee”
Bobby Okereke, Stanford ….. “oh-KAY-ray-kay”
Qadree Ollison, Pittsburgh ….. “quad-dre”
Bolu Olorunfunmi, UCLA ….. “BO-lu OH-lor-RUN-fun-me”
Charles Omenihu, Texas ….. “oh-MEN-ah-hoo”
Michael Onuoha, Texas A&M-Commerce ….. “uh-NO-ha”
Addison Ooms, California ….. “OH-ms”
Iosua Opeta, Weber St. ….. “Yo-su-a O-pet-a”
Amani Oruwariye, Penn St. ….. “UH-monn-E O-rue-waar-ee-A”
A.J. Ouellette, Ohio ….. “O-LETT”
Jarrell Owens, Oklahoma St. ….. “juh-RELL”
Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska ….. “oh-ZIG-bo”
P
Jacques Patrick, Florida St. ….. “Jah-Kez”
Natrez Patrick, Georgia ….. “NAY-trez”
Alex Pechin, Bucknell ….. “PEE-chun”
Peyton Pelluer, Washington St. ….. “PUH-loo-er”
Tyler Petite, USC ….. “puh-TEET”
Braxton Pfaff, Virginia Tech ….. “FAFF”
Ravian Pierce, Syracuse ….. “Ray-veon”
Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama ….. “Piersch-baker”
Jachai Polite, Florida ….. “JA-kiiii”
Terronne Prescod, North Carolina St. ….. “tehr OWN PRESS cod”
Joe Protheroe, Cal Poly ….. “PRO-throw”
Derrick Puni, Central Missouri ….. “Poo-knee”
Q
R
Evan Rabon, Coastal Carolina ….. “Ray-bun”
Kyle Rachwal, Eastern Michigan ….. “rockwall”
Dalton Risner, Kansas St. ….. “RISE-ner”
Malik Rosier, Miami (FL) ….. “RO-jurr”
Dontavius Russell, Auburn ….. “don-TAY-vee-us”
Brett Rypien, Boise St. ….. “RIP-in”
Davanta Reynolds, North Carolina Central ….. “Dah-VON-tay”
S
Olive Sagapolu, Wisconsin ….. “oh-LEE-vay SONG-ah-poe-loo”
Dru Samia, Oklahoma ….. “sah-MEE-uh”
Jake Sammut, U.T.E.P. ….. “Sam-it”
Quart’e Sapp, Tennessee ….. “quar-TAY”
Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois ….. “KAH-len”
Mavin Saunders, Kansas ….. “May-vin”
Qua Searcy, Georgia Tech ….. “qway sir-cee”
Sam Seonbuchner, Iowa St. ….. “Scene-buckner”
Antonio Shenault, Minnesota ….. “shuh-nault”
Zach Sinor, Oklahoma St. ….. “SIGH-ner”
Saivion Smith, Alabama ….. “Say-vee-ahn”
Matt Sokol, Michigan St. ….. “SO-kull”
Wilton Speight, UCLA ….. “Spayt”
Tyree St. Louis, Miami (FL) ….. “Like the City”
Jervontius Stallings, Kentucky ….. “jer‐VON‐tee‐us”
Paul Stawarz, Texas Tech ….. “STAY-wars”
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn ….. “STID-um”
Connor Strachan, Boston College ….. “Struh-HAN”
T
Jordan Ta’amu, Ole Miss ….. “tah-AH-moo”
Sione Takitaki, B.Y.U. ….. “See-OH-nay TAH-kee-TAH-kee”
Suli Tamaivena, Utah St. ….. “Sue-lee Tuh-my-ven-uh”
Ron’Quavion Tarver, Utah St. ….. “Ron-kway-V-un”
Josiah Tauaefa, Texas-San Antonio ….. “to-afe-ah”
Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii ….. “tah-VIE”
Marvell Tell III, USC ….. “mar-VELL”
Jacob Thieneman, Purdue ….. “THEEN-uh-MIN”
Chris Tilbey, USC ….. “TILL-bee”
Jay-Tee Tiuli, Eastern Washington ….. “tee-oo-lee”
KaVontae Turpin, T.C.U. ….. “kuh-VON-tay”
U
Xavier Ubosi, U.A.B. ….. “You-bow-see”
Oli Udoh, Elon ….. “OH-lee OO-doh”
John Ursua, Hawaii ….. “Ur-Soo-uh”
V
Patrick Vahe, Texas ….. “vah-HAY”
Kalani Vakameilalo, Oregon St. ….. “vah-kah-may-lah-loh”
W
Aca’Cedric Ware, USC ….. “awk-uh-SAID-rick”
Kahale Warring, San Diego St. ….. “Kah-HALL-ay WHERE-ing”
Nic Weishar, Notre Dame ….. “wish-err”
Kerrith White, Florida Atlantic ….. “K-ear-ith white”
Mazzi Wilkins, South Florida ….. “MAH-zee”
Andraez Williams, L.S.U. ….. “Ahn-dray-ez”
Aeris Williams, Mississippi St. ….. “AIR-us”
Khari Willis, Michigan St. ….. “car-Ē”
Andrew Wingard, Wyoming ….. “WING-urd”
Chase Winovich, Michigan ….. “WIN-o-vich”
X
Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion ….. “Oh-Shane Zim-ah-Nes”
Y
Willie Yarbary, Wake Forest ….. “YAR-bare-ee”
Z
Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia ….. “Oh-lama-day Za-key-us”
