'12 NC DE Romeo Okwara (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[NDPhilly]

I can't really fault Kelly for playing Okwara as a freshman in 2012. He played in every single game and forced a fumble against OU. I am kinda pissed Blankenship has played at all this year. Really should redshirt a guy if he's only gonna play when we are up 30

 

[dublinirish]

Romeo had a decent game on saturday he still has yet to learn what a pass rushing move is but I'll take his production!

 

[ulukinatme]

Okwara reminds me of Farley in that everyone complained about everythin he cannot do well all the while he continues to make plays. Really happy for him.

Yeah, gotta like how he's improved this year, he wasn't spoken of as favorably in previous years. I agree with the Farley comment too. Other than a 2013 season in which he seemed to be playing injured, Farley has been a play maker for our defense and has been an important player in every season he's been at ND. I think he'll be missed next year.

 

[RDU Irish]

Really would love to have this kid on the roster next year. Has really started to turn the corner this year and I think he will be one we watch on Sundays in a few years wondering why we didn't get that much out of him.

Should have found a way to redshirt him somewhere along the way.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Funny, I see Okwara and Farley as being the glue of the defense. Good solid workman like attitude. Not big mouths or arrogant by any means. Confident, upbeat, always digging deeper to find more to give.

Kind of the opposite of how I find Russell, who just about pissed everyone off with his prima ballerina performance at the end of the game, especially Jaylon, Mathias, Sheldon and Romeo.

 

[phillyirish]

Couldn't watch the game today, but UND.com credits him for 3 sacks today, is that true?? If so his numbers for the year are starting to get impressive. The stats, plus with his young, raw Ben Koyack potential, I could see him getting drafted in the 3-4th round.

 

[STLcardz-NDirish]

Yes. He looked explosive off the ball and is learning to use his range well

 

[BGIF]

Couldn't watch the game today, but UND.com credits him for 3 sacks today, is that true?? If so his numbers for the year are starting to get impressive. The stats, plus with his young, raw Ben Koyack potential, I could see him getting drafted in the 3-4th round.

Okwara WF Stats

5 Tackles, 3 TFLs (for 23 yds), 1 QBH, and 1 FF

 

[irishff1014]

Couldn't watch the game today, but UND.com credits him for 3 sacks today, is that true?? If so his numbers for the year are starting to get impressive. The stats, plus with his young, raw Ben Koyack potential, I could see him getting drafted in the 3-4th round.

They put him in good mismatch situations.

 

[Green Mountains]

He also had a Face Mask penalty against the WF QB in the Red Zone (which was called on another ND player). After the play, Romeo slapped his own helmet with both hands "that was stupid" as the defense had the QB sacked.

 

[Irishman77]

After the game nbc asked day what he would remember most about this day and Sheldon said Romeo's sacks!

This team will not lose...

 

[Bogtrotter07]

You all are right, he would have had a fourth!

Kid is coming into his own. Nine sacks for the season. Don't look now but this kid is looking to find his name near the top of the Irish list!

Couldn't happen to a better guy. As others have said, too bad he didn't get another developmental year!

I think WF had a big problem with Rochell moving inside. It was a big part of what really caused them problems on the compressed field (red zone.)

And if the refs hadn't tried to throw the game by suppressing the holding calls against the DD offensive line, Romeo would have had even better numbers.

I usually try not to bring poor officiating into it, but if you look at the tape, you can find at least one flagrant, easily observable hold on almost every WF play.

Before anyone disputes my assertion, I challenge anyone to watch the line play closely, and find five plays in the game where WF wasn't guilty of at least one (flagrant) holding penalty.

 

[Graybeard52]

He has very quietly worked himself into the top ten in sacks this season. It probably doesn't hurt that he isn't being asked to drop into coverage as much.

 

[OCIrish]

You all are right, he would have had a fourth!

Kid is coming into his own. Nine sacks for the season. Don't look now but this kid is looking to find his name near the top of the Irish list!

Couldn't happen to a better guy. As others have said, too bad he didn't get another developmental year!

I think WF had a big problem with Rochell moving inside. It was a big part of what really caused them problems on the compressed field (red zone.)

And if the refs hadn't tried to throw the game by suppressing the holding calls against the DD offensive line, Romeo would have had even better numbers.

I usually try not to bring poor officiating into it, but if you look at the tape, you can find at least one flagrant, easily observable hold on almost every WF play.

Before anyone disputes my assertion, I challenge anyone to watch the line play closely, and find five plays in the game where WF wasn't guilty of at least one (flagrant) holding penalty.

Bogs, you're completely right about the non holding calls during the game. The officiating has been atrocious throughout college football this season, and only seems to be getting worse. They could've easily called WF for at least a dozen holds.........easily.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Bogs, you're completely right about the non holding calls during the game. The officiating has been atrocious throughout college football this season, and only seems to be getting worse. They could've easily called WF for at least a dozen holds.........easily.

Thank you, by the way for your support.

('You', 'completely,' and 'right' in the same sentence; I sense a cosmic shift!)

But I have never seen anything worse than the lack of calls against Ohio State this year, especially against MSU last weekend. People have been giving that line kudos, but I think their output has been with a lot of official(s) help. Herbie has said as much, and I would take his word on the situation.

But I wanted to post today to honor a truly prophetic post :

Romeo should try a spin move and hope for a block in the back on every play, it sounds more productive than what he currently does :/

Must be from your lips to God's ear, because as soon as you posted this, Romeo started off to the moon!

Some of you guys are scary good!

 

[kmoose]

One of the guys I always go back to and wish he had another year. He had no business playing as a freshman. One more year with Gilmore and he could've worked himself into 3rd or 4th round pick.

Don't feel too badly for him. I have a strong feeling that he will be a first round pick in the game of life.

 

[#1rish]

Tweeted by Rochell. Romeo doing work as the E-W Shrine practice.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As expected <a href="https://twitter.com/RomeoND45">@RomeoND45</a> is firing off on everyone he faces. This is just the beginning of his journey to greatness <a href="https://t.co/2YPCyk2ZrG">pic.twitter.com/2YPCyk2ZrG</a></p>— Isaac Rochell (@Isaacrochell90) <a href="https://twitter.com/Isaacrochell90/status/690240922525786112">January 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[PANDFAN]

cowboys and giants have met w/ him down there

 

[Rack Em]

So stupid Kelly burned his redshirt

 

[Emcee77]

So stupid Kelly burned his redshirt

Seriously tragic. The dude is still 20 years old, isn't he? Would love to have him another year.

 

[NDdomer2]

anyone have any idea who he is up against in these?

 

[PANDFAN]

anyone have any idea who he is up against in these?

Fahn Cooper from Ole Miss

 

[Sherm Sticky]

So stupid Kelly burned his redshirt

He had no choice.

 

[Luckylucci]

He had no choice.

How? He ran ST's most of the year. We couldn't find anyone else to cover kick offs and punts, doubt it.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

How? He ran ST's most of the year. We couldn't find anyone else to cover kick offs and punts, doubt it.

Didn't he start a game at Sam because we had no one else to put there?


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[Sherm Sticky]

Actually I think you are correct Lucky. I was thinking of Prince. My bad bro.


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[Sherm Sticky]

According to reports he stock has slightly gone up this week.


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[Bogtrotter07]

He was forced into serious play time including one game suspensions for a couple of defensive ends that are no longer here, and at least one case of mono. And remember that was the year of the virus. The locker room had all those strange things going around.

 

[dublinirish]

Tweeted by Rochell. Romeo doing work as the E-W Shrine practice.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As expected <a href="https://twitter.com/RomeoND45">@RomeoND45</a> is firing off on everyone he faces. This is just the beginning of his journey to greatness <a href="https://t.co/2YPCyk2ZrG">pic.twitter.com/2YPCyk2ZrG</a></p>— Isaac Rochell (@Isaacrochell90) <a href="https://twitter.com/Isaacrochell90/status/690240922525786112">January 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

first time i've seen romeo use his hands in a pass rush :/

 

[rtrn2glory]

first time i've seen romeo use his hands in a pass rush :/

he's too used to trying to use his hands to knock down passes in coverage or guard the curl/flat