Meet Emmanuel Okoye, NFL prospect from Nigeria who trained in London and has caught the eye of US college scouts
EMMANUEL OKOYE had universities in the United States lining up for a commitment to play America football this season.
But the 18-year-old from Nigeria never even stepped on an NFL field until he was discovered by a great.
Okoye is an edge rusher who has committed to join the University of Tennessee.
He turned down offers from the likes of Georgia, Texas Tech and USC to choose the Volunteers and has only played the game for 10 months.
Okoye is from Anambra State in southern Nigeria and grew up in Lagos.
He set out to play basketball, but attended a camp in Abuja in 2019 set up by two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora.
Osi won two NFL titles with the New York Giants and was born in London to Nigerian parents.
Okoye then moved to London alone last year at the age of 17 to train at the NFL Academy.
His incredible stats are right up there with top NFL prospects out of college and have caught the eye of scouts across America.
His 45.5-inch vertical jump is just shy of record holder Gerald Sensabaugh’s 46-inch mark.
He has an impressive 7ft 2ins wingspan and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4seconds.
Speaking to SunSport, Okoye said: “I didn’t watch it when I was younger. It wasn’t big in Nigeria until Osi brought the NFL to Africa.
“More people have now been introduced to the sport and, through my journey, hopefully more people can be inspired to do the same.
“My main goal is definitely the NFL, but also to create a path and opportunity that other people from back home can follow.
“I feel like there’s nothing I cannot do.
“Even if I was to run track or go into the field, I will still do my best and be great at it.
“I feel like I’m not at my best yet. I keep doing me and keep improving. I feel like if I jump I can do better (than 45.5in).”
Okoye weighed just 209lbs (94.8kg) when he started at the NFL Academy in the UK last September.
He now tips the scale at 231lbs (104.8kg) with eyes on getting even bigger.
The teen said: “Coming into football I was really skinny, I was a lightweight guy.
“The strength and conditioning coaches get our body right and still put us in the best position to gain good weight and make an impact on the field.
“I feel like I have to get bigger and stronger, I’m a young guy and nowhere yet.
“When I get to 24 I know my body will be drastically different from the way it is now.”
On his decision to join Tennessee, Okoye added: “It was a spirit-led decision. I pray to God and this is what he led my mind to.
“I looked at the coaches, teammates and people around the school – it’s a really good family environment and a place I feel I can thrive.
“I went for a short time for my visit but I know it will be great in the long run – I have a great feeling.”