4-star prospect out of NFL Academy in England commits to Tennessee, will reclassify to 2023
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.
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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.
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Sports betting in Tennessee officially launched on November 1, 2020, and many of the largest sportsbooks are live and operating in the volunteer state. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting.
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.
Great news this morning!
Sounds like a good dude. Congrats
Interesting pickup. sounds like a project, experience-wise, but with a 4 star rating he must have a lot of upside. Welcome to Big Orange Country!
Any relation to Kansas City Chiefs and Tecmo Bowl legend C h r I s t I a n Okoye?
He was a tough one to tackle back in the day
How embarrassing is it that we can’t write the word Chr I sti an.
Perhaps they will change the name to “Saturdays In California”.
LOL
Cringe
I am a very imperfect but proud C..h..rist–.–ian!!!!! And yes the fact we can’t say that name. It’s very embarrassing and personally I believe it’s I….LLE….GAL!!!!! This is still the United States of America!!!!
PS. It’s time, and the day’s we were warned about are here….
Matthew 24
John 3:16 & after….
Negan
He is a very big get.
Supposed to be a TE. Has DK Metcalf type numbers 45 inch vertical 4.5 speed and 7.2 wingspan at 240lbs. Big get for the offense, will be a matchup nightmare as long as they coach him up. Which this staff is great at.
He won’t be a TE, will be on defense, projects as a rush end. Someone that can pressure the QB is much more valuable than a TE.
This is a nice get. Huge upside.
Thank you! Can’t wait to hear from him. I’m going to say, there will be a slight accent..lol
He does, in fact. If you listen to his commitment video on IG or Twitter, he’s got a bit of a unique accent, a mix of British and Nigerian. It’s interesting.
I caught that interview after I posted here. Very unique and what a guy. Led by his faith and feels honored to have the opportunity to come here. I’ll take this attitude over Bank’s any day and glad Banks is gone. Very impressed in every way with Okoye.
GET THE TEA READY!!!!!! LOL
Negan
Looks hungry and motivated. Welcome to Rocky Top Mr. Okoye!
The Vols have built a fence around England.
He is a freakish athlete. They tested his vertical jump and broad jump, and both would have set a record for DE at the NFL combine!
Probably going to be an Edge rusher with his speed and athleticism. A lot of potential after a year in the system and getting used to college ball.
The neat thing about TN’s coaching staff is that you aren’t relegated to waiting a year. If you are physical and good enough that your beating out upperclassman and projected starters in practice, you see the field immediately. I’m not sure we have this kind of athleticism at TE or DE? Some speed and physicality dispersed but all this in one guy? His physique is more like a trained and conditioned NFL level player…at 18. This physicality and be used at multiple locations so I’m not sure that he’ll be a very good candidate for redshirting. Imo, the NFL is going to come calling in year 3 and talk of it leading up to it maybe after two. It’s just very hard to keep someone like that off the field, if what we are seeing bears out in practices. Fant could play but this guy imo, if he can catch, would be more successful than Fant at the same position.
gwhite……..FIRST OFF, CONGRATS ON GETTING WHAT LOOKS LIKE A REALLY NICE PLAYER!!!!
That having been said… Georgia has had SEVERAL TRUE FRESHMEN start or play in year 1 dude!!!! You didn’t forget Jacob Eason did you??? How about true freshman Jake Fromm????
The reason Brent Cox transferred is because he was passed up by younger guys. He was a 5 star to!!!! Georgia does a lot of red shirt deals. The staff does what is best for the athlete, and the team first!!!
GEORGIA IS A TEAM FIRST CULTURE!!!!
This turns out best for everyone!!! Because to be your best. You need players around you to play at an elite level!!!!! This is why Georgia currently owns college football, and the NFL DRAFT!!!!!
99.9.9% of everyone that ever stuck it out at Georgia was happy they did! Unranked undersized walk on Stetson Bennett finished with 2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND LANDED AS A HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST. NOT TO MENTION HE WAS DRAFTED!!!!
No offence but Tennessee has not put 2 whole season’s together yet!!! I believe Tennessee is coming back strong. But Georgia ain’t stepping aside!!!!!
I’m just saying, you still have to earn it!!!! The beast from the east is who you must answer to ultimately!!!!
YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER TAKING ALABAMA MORE SERIOUS. ITS IN TUSCALOOSA THIS TIME!!!!! LOL
If Alabama’s permanent 3 teams includes Tennessee. Well naturally that means Tennessee gets Alabama every year!!!
PS. Playing Georgia and Alabama will be really fun!!! It helps you to play Georgia at home!!! LOL
Negan
What a journey in such a short time, goes from Nigeria where he was more known for playing basketball to England and an NFL academy to 20+ offers from schools in the USA to the best conference in all of football.