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4-star prospect out of NFL Academy in England commits to Tennessee, will reclassify to 2023
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Tennessee football landed a huge commitment Wednesday morning, gaining a pledge from 4-star ATH Emmanuel Okoye, who has been at the NFL Academy in England. He was originally born in Nigeria.
Even better news for Vols fans: Okoye also plans to reclassify to 2023 and will be eligible for Tennessee this season. The Vols beat out Texas Tech and USC for his talents, though plenty of Power 5 programs offered him.
1000% COMMITTED!! GO Vols?‼️@Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/RDGFM1UsRL
— Emmanuel Okoye (@_skywalker10) May 17, 2023
Okoye was not a football player until a few years ago. Instead, he thrived at soccer and basketball before being discovered by Osi Umenyiora’s “The Uprise” program where he was asked to attend a talent camp, according to ESPN’s Chris Low. He raised some eyebrows and enrolled at the NFL Academy soon after receiving an invite.
And at 6-5, 230 pounds, it isn’t hard to see why Tennessee thinks he will have potential, possibly as a tight end or defensive end.
Tennessee has done solid work on the recruiting trail, for both 2023 and 2024. However Okoye fits into Josh Heupel’s plan, this is a great pickup for the Vols.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.