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

[Old Man Mike]

We can just disagree on whether to use a "refrigerator" elephantine goal-line play. I've never seen the big man in such a scheme end up with a leg injury on such plays. His job is to accelerate low into the gap between two severely-occupied d-linemen, and clear out whatever obstacle still exists --usually a linebacker who wishes he wasn't there. In this action he is a rapidly straight-line moving low-aspect high-mass object just like any fullback lead-blocker.

Any D-Lineman has much greater chance of an injurious "cut" while playing D in the hole and being more-statically-engaged while a second player [wearing a service academy uniform] comes down on his knee. If the "refrigerator" is such a bad idea, you'd think that those NFL coaches [and others] wouldn't be using it. Again, we obviously see this differently, and it's not important in the big picture; but spread offenses often have close-to-the-goal-line issues, and this is one concept that is used to help with that.



It occurs to me that objectors are assuming that I'm talking about him carrying the ball. No. I'm talking about him lead blocking.

 

[military_irish]

No news just thought this tweet was funny from Okwara.

RomeoAK33 Romeo Okwara
#ThatAwkMoment when I see a Michigan fan at the mall

 

[Irishnuke]

No news just thought this tweet was funny from Okwara.

I hope that UM fan left the mall on a stretcher...

jk...maybe

 

[Me2SouthBend]

From Inside the Irish. Kid is going to be a stud.


ROMEO OKWARA
High School: Ardrey Kell — Charlotte, North Carolina
Measureables: Six-foot-five, 235-pounds
Other major offers: Clemson, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Pitt, Virginia, Virginia Tech
Fun Fact: Won’t turn 17-years-old until June 2012, making those 14 sacks and 27 TFLs look mighty impressive.
On choosing Notre Dame:  ”Coach Kelly and I have a good relationship and getting on campus for a full weekend made me surer that Notre Dame is the perfect place for me,” Okwara told Blue & Gold. “The people were very welcoming and the basketball game was really fun. It showed me that Notre Dame takes pride in all of their sports which is really good.”
What he’ll bring to the defense: At the very least, Okwara is bringing a whole lot of bottled promise to South Bend. With the rare blend of size, speed, and power, the fact that Okwara was able to dominate high school football while playing his senior season at the age of 16 is a pretty impressive feat. Graduating from the same school that brought Notre Dame Prince Shembo, Okwara is an intriguing Cat linebacker prospect with his obvious pass rushing skills, though has the athleticism and speed to also play in space during the passing game. For Okwara’s sake, you almost have to hope he’s redshirted, so he gets a chance to play with kids his own age.

 

[Kak7304]

From Inside the Irish. Kid is going to be a stud.


ROMEO OKWARA
High School: Ardrey Kell — Charlotte, North Carolina
Measureables: Six-foot-five, 235-pounds
Other major offers: Clemson, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Pitt, Virginia, Virginia Tech
Fun Fact: Won’t turn 17-years-old until June 2012, making those 14 sacks and 27 TFLs look mighty impressive.
On choosing Notre Dame: *”Coach Kelly and I have a good relationship and getting on campus for a full weekend made me surer that Notre Dame is the perfect place for me,” Okwara told Blue & Gold. “The people were very welcoming and the basketball game was really fun. It showed me that Notre Dame takes pride in all of their sports which is really good.”
What he’ll bring to the defense: At the very least, Okwara is bringing a whole lot of bottled promise to South Bend. With the rare blend of size, speed, and power, the fact that Okwara was able to dominate high school football while playing his senior season at the age of 16 is a pretty impressive feat. Graduating from the same school that brought Notre Dame Prince Shembo, Okwara is an intriguing Cat linebacker prospect with his obvious pass rushing skills, though has the athleticism and speed to also play in space during the passing game. For Okwara’s sake, you almost have to hope he’s redshirted, so he gets a chance to play with kids his own age.

With that size and athleticism, you have to wonder if he'd be a 5-star talent if he were playing in the correct age group. I'm excited to see how this kid grows (since he's only 16) and develops.

 

[woolybug25]

With that size and athleticism, you have to wonder if he'd be a 5-star talent if he were playing in the correct age group. I'm excited to see how this kid grows (since he's only 16) and develops.

I am pretty confident that he would be in that range. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the only reason sites downgraded him was because of age. He has great size, athleticism, offer list and even good fundamentals. He is FAR beyond his years. That being said, I still think we should redshirt him and let him fully develop and get into college life. He is a future star in my opinion.

Btw. With recruits like this, ones that have to have their parents sign because of their age, do other schools even have a chance? I mean seriously, as a parent, would you rather send your kid into an SEC environment or a Notre Dame one? He is going to be well taken care of in South Bend.

 

[Redbar]

I hope that UM fan left the mall on a stretcher...

jk...maybe

Good stuff!

 

[military_irish]

Here are his highlights from the Shrine Bowl. He is wearing #35, nothing too flashy but shows his athletic ability for such a young age.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KRVAxaFLO2E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Ndaccountant]

I am pretty confident that he would be in that range. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the only reason sites downgraded him was because of age. He has great size, athleticism, offer list and even good fundamentals. He is FAR beyond his years. That being said, I still think we should redshirt him and let him fully develop and get into college life. He is a future star in my opinion.

Btw. With recruits like this, ones that have to have their parents sign because of their age, do other schools even have a chance? I mean seriously, as a parent, would you rather send your kid into an SEC environment or a Notre Dame one? He is going to be well taken care of in South Bend.

Honestly, I think it cuts both ways. Some parents obviously see ND what it is compared to other schools. But then, you have those other parents that either a) don't care or b) try to use their kid as leverage. *cough* Seanthrel Henderson *cough*

I think in the end, it helps ND more than hurts. If we could ever combine that with a 4 year scholarship offer, it would be incredible.

 

[JughedJones]

Just wanted to be the first to say 'Congrats'

Can't wait to see you, probably in 2013, but we'll be watching!

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Congrats to you Romeo! Glad to have you on board, can't wait to see you on the field.

 

[greyhammer90]

16 yr old freak of nature party of 1?

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

This is the youngest player on the team. He seems pretty damned developed physically. I can't wait to see him after year one at Longo Beach.

 

[nd1]

This is the youngest player on the team. He seems pretty damned developed physically. I can't wait to see him after year one at Longo Beach.

yea he is going to be a monster before he leaves nd.

 

[STLDomer]

DaJuan Drennon mentioned in Sapps interview that we only have two other CATs which I presume is Shembo and Williams.

I assumed Okwara was playing CAT but I guess there trying to beef him up to back up Lynch as a more rush DE

 

[magogian]

DaJuan Drennon mentioned in Sapps interview that we only have two other CATs which I presume is Shembo and Williams.

I assumed Okwara was playing CAT but I guess there trying to beef him up to back up Lynch as a more rush DE

From what I've read, most expect Okwara to outgrow the CAT position.

 

[BeauBenken]

From what I've read, most expect Okwara to outgrow the CAT position.

Exactly.

Is he even 17 yet?

 

[BGIF]

Exactly.

Is he even 17 yet?

No. He was 15 when he entered his senior yr of HS.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/201...wara-notre-dame-signed-loi-16.html#post507215

 

[NDhoosier]

No. He was 15 when he entered his senior yr of HS.

LOL

 

[Grahambo]

Congrats to Romeo!

Romeo Okwara ‏ @RomeoAK33
Official acceptance letter

 

[BeauBenken]

It will be exciting to see what this kid does during his career here.

 

[RuntheBall]

I feel like he may struggle initially (if nothing else because of his age, though that hasnt slowed him yet), but will ultimately be better because of it- on and off of the field.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Should he be showing his student ID number?

 

[NDdomer2]

I would be more worried about showing my address.

 

[SaltyND24]

When I'm on campus next I'm gonna eat on him...flex points son!

 

[DillonHall]

ID number is useless for the most part without the card itself

 

[Ironman8]

Should he be showing his student ID number?

The home address worried me a bit more lol.

 

[DillonHall]

If someone wanted to find out where a high profile high school athlete lived, I don't think it'd be that difficult.

 

[Irishnuke]

Hope to god he never withdraws from ND. Some dbag fan will show up at his house. Bad idea leaving your address for all to see.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Romeo Okwara is probably the guy on the football team capable of tearing a human body apart with his bare hands. Messing with him under any circumstances seems unproductive.