Bio:
Two-year starter who was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and led Oklahoma with 17.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three forced fumbles while making 76 tackles as a senior. Earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors and led the team with 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks while adding 71 tackles and tying for the team lead with two forced fumbles. Combined to make 16 tackles (four for loss) and three sacks in his first two seasons with the Sooners.
Pos:
Explosive athlete and tremendous pass rusher who shows the ability to play in space. Rarely off his feet, breaks down well and plays with tremendous balance. Shows tremendous speed and quickness off the edge, quickly adjusts off the initial block and gets a lot of momentum going up the field. Explosive, plays with a nasty attitude and can be impossible to stop. Instinctive, finds the ball and immediately alters his angle of attack to get to the action. Athletic, uses his hands to protect himself and has a tremendous closing burst. Jolts blockers with violent hand punch. Displays speed in a straight line and laterally, plays with proper pad level and goes hard through the whistle. Stays with assignments and plays disciplined football.
Neg:
Lacks bulk and gets handled by larger blockers. Rarely asked to make plays in reverse.
Analysis:
Okoronkwo was graded as a street free agent by scouts entering the season but now projects as a potential second-day pick. He’s an underrated defender who can come out of a three-point stance as a one-gap defensive end or stand over tackle and make plays up the field and in space. Okoronkwo needs a bit more work on his game but has tremendous upside and will be a force at the next level in the proper system.