'16 GA DE Chidi Okonya (Duke Verbal)

[Ironman8]

They just got an extremely good JUCO DE, and they have absolutely loaded up on the DL the past couple cycles. Not shocking a 'project' type gets pushed out.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Why did he part ways with UT?

Mutual decision. He wanted something better and they were recruiting other DE's.

 

[irishff1014]

He has a very nice offer list that's for sure.

 

[ColinKSU]

I'd probably take this kid. I know he's not the biggest fish, but defensive linemen are hard to come by for this staff and he looks like he has potential.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

​

I'd probably take this kid. I know he's not the biggest fish, but defensive linemen are hard to come by for this staff and he looks like he has potential.

He is a solid 6'5 225. That's pretty big for a kid with that skill set. Weight comes during his redshirt year.

 

[NDWorld247]

Okwara, Ogundeji and Okonya...

Gilmore is gonna need to make up some nicknames.

All of the Nigerian defensive linemen!!! I've mentioned it before, but I love the strategy of targeting kids with Nigerian roots. They are such a good fit for ND.

 

[dublinirish]

All of the Nigerian defensive linemen!!! I've mentioned it before, but I love the strategy of targeting kids with Nigerian roots. They are such a good fit for ND.

Robert Nkemdiche and his bags of money says hello

 

[OCIrish]

The kid is REALLY athletic. Gonna need to add weight for sure, and won't be able to beat OT with just his speed alone, but that's what coaching is for. Would not be unhappy if he ends up in South Bend.

 

[Irishman77]

Senior Highlights(sorry never learned to embed

'16 Senior Highlights | 4.0 GPA - Chidi Okonya highlights

I love this!!! put him in a wide nine tech with his ears pinned back and let it rip!

 

[Irishman77]

The kid is REALLY athletic. Gonna need to add weight for sure, and won't be able to beat OT with just his speed alone, but that's what coaching is for. Would not be unhappy if he ends up in South Bend.

In his Sr tape he uses his hands quite well. Part of me kept thinking this is what Calvin Johnson would look like playing defense in High School

 

[GoIrish41]

He's built like Julius Peppers was in high school. He also looks pretty fluid, quick and aggressive. Bulk up like Peppers did and this kid could be a handful for OTs for four years.

 

[dublinirish]

Senior Highlights(sorry never learned to embed

'16 Senior Highlights | 4.0 GPA - Chidi Okonya highlights

I love this!!! put him in a wide nine tech with his ears pinned back and let it rip!

uses his hands in an okay way, looks like kinda awkward moving laterally but yeah good frame

 

[OCIrish]

In his Sr tape he uses his hands quite well. Part of me kept thinking this is what Calvin Johnson would look like playing defense in High School

He does,but some of those OT were just awful. He's got the tools to be really, really good at the next level, but he's gonna need some coaching as all kids do.

 

[ginman]

Soooooo, do you think he is he more Julius Peppers or Calvin Johnson? I see a combination Lawrence Taylor/ Barry Sanders type player! I haven't watched any film though, so its mere speculation on my part!

 

[Luckylucci]

Per Ivins at BGI, as of now this is Duke/ND battle with UNC and Vandy pushing for visits.

 

[connor_in]

Soooooo, do you think he is he more Julius Peppers or Calvin Johnson? I see a combination Lawrence Taylor/ Barry Sanders type player! I haven't watched any film though, so its mere speculation on my part!

Not a Joe Schmidt/Cam McDaniel type?

 

[drake29]

Soooooo, do you think he is he more Julius Peppers or Calvin Johnson? I see a combination Lawrence Taylor/ Barry Sanders type player! I haven't watched any film though, so its mere speculation on my part!

Like I said earlier - game similar to Kareem but stuck in Corey Robinson's body. SDE in a tall lanky WR body. I was hoping to see more raw athleticism but he doesn't seem explosive. Project for sure but definitely has upside with his length.

 

[koonja]

Per Ivins at BGI, as of now this is Duke/ND battle with UNC and Vandy pushing for visits.

If true I like our odds.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I guess with Khalid and, likely Hayes, and Okwara, the coaches feel good about finding two and using Ogundejyi and Okonya as developmental prospects. I don't hate the idea, especially with the way early 17 recruiting appears to be trending.

Really like the defensive talent being targeted this year.

 

[Luckylucci]

I guess with Khalid and, likely Hayes, and Okwara, the coaches feel good about finding two and using Ogundejyi and Okonya as developmental prospects. I don't hate the idea, especially with the way early 17 recruiting appears to be trending.

Really like the defensive talent being targeted this year.

JMO, but I don't think Hayes starts at DE. I think they'll start him at LB and see where that goes. Putting a guy coming off of two shoulder surgeries on the DL would be asking for problems.

In general, though, yes I agree that bringing in a couple developmental guys in this class makes a lot of sense. To me Chidi is a better version of Ade so I really like the offer and potential signing.

 

[Cackalacky]

Soooooo, do you think he is he more Julius Peppers or Calvin Johnson? I see a combination Lawrence Taylor/ Barry Sanders type player! I haven't watched any film though, so its mere speculation on my part!

Joe Staley/Antonio Brown

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

JMO, but I don't think Hayes starts at DE. I think they'll start him at LB and see where that goes. Putting a guy coming off of two shoulder surgeries on the DL would be asking for problems.

In general, though, yes I agree that bringing in a couple developmental guys in this class makes a lot of sense. To me Chidi is a better version of Ade so I really like the offer and potential signing.

I'm happy if he can be an OLB but no matter what, that shoulder will get tested in the front 7. He may take fewer/harder collisions as an OLB than the repetitive stress on the dLine so let's just hope he heels and is ready for the college game.

EEing with Khalid, right?

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm happy if he can be an OLB but no matter what, that shoulder will get tested in the front 7. He may take fewer/harder collisions as an OLB than the repetitive stress on the dLine so let's just hope he heels and is ready for the college game.

EEing with Khalid, right?

Yes, and to your previous post, it looks like we should have a really good group of players set to EE.

 

[ThePiombino]

Is he considered a project or someone who can contribute year 1 or 2?

 

[Luckylucci]

Is he considered a project or someone who can contribute year 1 or 2?

I'd consider him a project. He's a definite RS, IMO. After that will depend of the depth chart and development of others so hard to tell. With that said not all projects are created equal.

 

[jerboski]

Love this offer and the strategy to stock up the Dline..... We should have the players to allow him to RS and properly gain weight and technique before seeing the field. I haven't seen a thing about him from Steve or Tom yet, that surprises me

 

[ThePiombino]

I'd consider him a project. He's a definite RS, IMO. After that will depend of the depth chart and development of others so hard to tell. With that said not all projects are created equal.

ND sure attracts a lot of projects on defense lol

 

[Luckylucci]

ND sure attracts a lot of projects on defense lol

I know you're joking but there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Stanford makes a living by doing this on their DL. One of the reasons their DL isn't as good as previous years is the seasoned players upfront is what they're missing. Really good teams aren't playing a ton of true freshman all over the defense, thats a myth not reality. Like I pointed out throughout the season, your jaw would drop at how little production some of the "big time" DE's from the 2015 class had their freshman season, yet Trumbetti wasn't productive enough for ND fans. Not saying that of you just in general since we are talking about lack of "immediate" impact players.

 

[ThePiombino]

I know you're joking but there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Stanford makes a living by doing this on their DL. One of the reasons their DL isn't as good as previous years is the seasoned players upfront is what they're missing. Really good teams aren't playing a ton of true freshman all over the defense, thats a myth not reality. Like I pointed out throughout the season, your jaw would drop at how little production some of the "big time" DE's from the 2015 class had their freshman season, yet Trumbetti wasn't productive enough for ND fans. Not saying that of you just in general since we are talking about lack of "immediate" impact players.

Haha I completely agree, was mostly speaking tongue-in-cheek. I think we're actually starting to see a good mix of short-term/long-term talent on D. As opposed to earlier classes which were all sizzle or all steak, we're finally getting a healthy mix. 2017 class could be bananas on D-line.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I know you're joking but there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Stanford makes a living by doing this on their DL. One of the reasons their DL isn't as good as previous years is the seasoned players upfront is what they're missing. Really good teams aren't playing a ton of true freshman all over the defense, thats a myth not reality. Like I pointed out throughout the season, your jaw would drop at how little production some of the "big time" DE's from the 2015 class had their freshman season, yet Trumbetti wasn't productive enough for ND fans. Not saying that of you just in general since we are talking about lack of "immediate" impact players.

Yeah, this is a great tactic. We are finally starting to load up and allow the cream to rise to the top. We don't want to be in a situation like 2014 again. Now please, let's not have any more deficiencies in recruiting and lets stay defensive heavy. There should be a +5 margin in favor of the defense on the roster.

Take away 4 for special teams and we should have 43 defensive players and 38 offensive players. I wonder if anyone has ever looked at scholarship distribution on teams with top 15 defenses vs those outside over X number of years, preferably 3-5.

It'd be an interesting statistic to review.