Okoronkwo: tweets n bits n articles n vids n stuff

Boylhart on Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

Watching this kid in Senior Bowl practices was fun. He is so full of energy and has so much fun interacting with his teammates it’s a joy to watch. Watching him on tape gives me a totally different view on this kid. He is very powerful and very quick and plays the game with force and controlled physical nature that a lot of NFL players don’t posses. It seems like he is on a mission to be the best he can be on every down and that is the attitude along with his god given strength that will make this kid something special. Like I said he is a clone of Robert Mathis and has excellent potential leadership skills and with the right coaching will become an impact defensive player that every team will have to game plan for. So if your team wants to pass on the next potential Robert Mathias who was not selected until the 5th round of the 2003 draft because of his size, go ahead…I dare you. All I can say is… if I’m in the top ten of this draft and need a play making defensive player I don’t pass on selecting this kid. But that’s just me, “Talking to Myself ™, once again.

Drew Boylhart FEB.2018

Ogbonnia “Obo” Okoronkwo (pronounced o-BO-ny-uh o-kor-RON-kwo) was the son of Nigerian immigrants, and a defensive end recruit from Houston Alief Taylor High School before going to Oklahoma. He redshirted in 2013, then played in 11 games as a reserve, making eight tackles, three for loss, and two sacks. Okoronkwo lined up for the first nine games in 2015 (nine tackles, two sacks) before being sat down as an internal discipline. He got his chance to attack the quarterback in 2016, earning a second-team All-Big 12 selection as a junior, making 67 tackles, 12 for loss, nine sacks, three pass break-ups, and two forced fumbles. Sooners coaches sent him into the backfield again in 2017, and he shared the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award with Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson. Obo posted 76 tackles, a team-high 17.5 for loss and eight sacks, as well as two pass break-ups and three forced fumbles. He was also named second-team All-American with Jefferson by the Associated Press for his efforts.

By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5
Overview
Okoronkwo doesn’t possess the height, weight and length teams usually want on the edge and he doesn’t have the bend or athletic traits to supersede his deficiencies. With that said, he’s solidly built and plays with good aggression and motor. He lacks the physical and athletic traits that would make him a more dangerous NFL rusher, but he flashes some explosiveness and has enough room for improvement that he should develop into a solid NFL backup with eventual starter potential.
Strengths
Compact build with thick shoulders and well-built legs
Flashes NFL power when it’s time to lock horns
Gets off ball and up the field with some juice
Attacks the pocket with natural instincts as a rusher
Uses hesitation moves, changes pace and alters his path to the quarterback
Leg drive and leverage allow him to play through soft edges at top of his rush and attack pocket from flat angle
Looks to play under the block if tackle over-sets
Lauded for growth and maturity since first coming into the program
Plays with decent strength at the point of attack
Posted impressive tackle numbers thanks to quick disengage and finish
Able to accelerate to the flanks to help run down the ball
Weaknesses
Lacks the length teams will look for from a full-time 3-4 OLB
Needs to improve technique and consistency setting edge
Needs faster punch to prevent edge blockers from owning his frame
Gets flattened out by quality run blockers
Doesn’t take a stand early on
Tight-hipped, face up rusher
Beat inferior Big 12 tackles with power and effort over athletic traits as rusher
First rush step is a false step
Counter moves get thwarted when he’s too tall
Needs to work on becoming more slippery as a rusher
More violent than skilled with hands
Lacks experience in coverage and will get lost at times

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
New Rams picks Ogbonnia Okoronkwo matched up against new teammate Joseph Noteboom when they played at Oklahoma and TCU. Was it friendly? “At this point, yeah,” Okoronkwo joked.

OGBONNIA OKORONKWO | Oklahoma 6015 | 253 lbs.

BACKGROUND: A three-star defensive end recruit out of high school, Ogbonnia (O-BO-ny-uh) “Ogbo” Okoronkwo (o-kor-RON-kwo), who is the son of Nigerian immigrants, was unfamiliar with football until his sophomore season at Alief Taylor when he was coaxed to the field by one of the coaches. By his junior season, he was registering double-digit sacks and receiving attention from FBS-level programs. Okoronkwo originally committed to Oklahoma State the summer before his senior season, but he flipped to Oklahoma before signing day. After redshirting in 2013, he saw limited action as a redshirt freshman in 2014 and posted eight tackles and 2.0 sacks. Okoronkwo again served as a back-up in 2015, recording nine tackles and 2.0 sacks as a sophomore. With Eric Striker off to the NFL, Okoronkwo became a starting edge rusher for the Sooners and led the team with 12.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors. He returned for his senior season and started all 14 games and again led the team with 17.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks and three forced fumbles to earn First Team All-Big 12 honors and Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors (along with Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson). Okoronkwo accepted his invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl.

YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD
2013: Redshirted
2014: (11/0) 8 3.0 2.0 0 0
2015: (9/0) 9 2.0 2.0 0 0
2016: (12/12) 71 12.0 9.0 2 3
2017: (14/14) 76 17.5 8.0 3 2
Total: (46/26) 164 34.5 21.0 5 5
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 6015 253 33 3/4 09 80 1/4 4.77 2.76 1.65 38 10’01” – – 27
PRO DAY 4.76 2.72 1.60 – 10’05” 4.34 7.09 –

STRENGTHS: Sculpted physique with developed muscle tone…drops his pads, extends his long arms and uses his natural leverage to put blockers on skates…heavy-handed…excellent contact balance and forward lean to attack/fight through blocks…uses initial get-off and energy to win the edge…ankle flexion to drip and rush low to the ground…maintains his momentum in congestion to squeeze through gaps…high-effort chase and finish skills…earns extra points for his relentless nature, leaving everything he has on the field…arrived in Norman at only 205 pounds, working hard in the weight room to fill out…voted a senior captain…graduated with a degree in African and African-American studies (May 2017)…above average production the past two seasons with 29.5 tackles for loss, 17.0 sacks and five forced fumbles in 26 starts.

WEAKNESSES: Short with tweener body type…has excellent length, but doesn’t always use his long arms to lock out and control the point of attack…doesn’t set a secure edge and lacks polish as a run defender…ordinary pass rush selection if he doesn’t win with his first step…short initial steps…late bloomer and still developing mentally…inexperienced in reverse…doesn’t have the redirection skills or speed to drop and cover skill players out of the backfield…will overwork himself and fatigue later in games – left the locker room on a stretcher and taken to the hospital following a game (Oct. 2016) due to several issues related to exhaustion, missing the following week’s game…limited experience rushing with his hand on the ground.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Okoronkwo played the “JACK” edge rusher position in the Sooners’ hybrid front-seven, standing up almost exclusively and rushing from both sides of the formation. He displays the three B’s (burst, balance and bend) required for NFL-level pass rushers with a menacing play style that forces blockers to come unglued. Okoronkwo uses his shorter stature to his advantage and has the arm length of a much larger player, but relies on effort to counter more than disciplined technique. Although his pass rush potential is scheme-diverse, he might be relegated to subpackage situations as a rookie until he makes the necessary improvements vs. the run. Overall, Okoronkwo isn’t overly creative and blockers know what he brings, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to stop, flashing the pass rush potential of Jacksonville Jaguars edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue.

GRADE: 2nd Round (#52 overall)

RamBil]

Oklahoma Sooners Football – 2018 NFL Draft Profile: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

He has moves. He has a motor. He may have a bright future ahead.

https://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/2018/4/25/17277926/oklahoma-sooners-football-2018-nfl-draft-profile-ogbonnia-okoronkwo-alief-taylor-houston

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Former Oklahoma Sooners LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo selected by Los Angeles Rams in 5th Round

The reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is now a Los Angeles Ram!

https://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/2018/4/28/17293610/2018-nfl-draft-former-oklahoma-sooners-lb-ogbonnia-okoronkwo-selected-by-in-round-los-angeles-rams

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JYB sez:

There’s a fun thread over at the Niner forum on Obo.

Started in December when draft discussions began, when many of their fans expressed a lot of interest in him, and ends after the draft, when they lament the Rams grabbing him. It’s 32 pages in total, but we’ll worth checking out. Below are a few snippets.

http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/nfl-draft/190034-ogbonnia-okoronkwo-olb-oklahoma/search=Okoronkwo

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darockzillahitman
Dec 30, 2017 at 6:13 AM

Best pass rusher in the draft. I don’t care that he’s not the “prototype.” He’s the prototype for what he does. He uses his lack of height to his advantage as far as leverage; when he decides he’s bending that edge, there’s nothing you can do.

He’s inconsistent vs. the run – really strong when he’s got his hands into you, but struggles to anchor when he doesn’t.

Honestly, even if he’s just a situational pass rusher, I’d take him after trading down. He can replace Elvis.

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Garoppolis
Dec 31, 2017 at 9:17 AM

He didn’t play football until his sophomore year in high school, so it’s possible he will learn to be more than just a pass rusher. Most of the mocks I’ve seen have him going around the third round, but that could change.

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Heroism
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:50 PM

This guy is an interesting player. I’m watching his game vs Ohio St. right now. Dude was a terror off the edge. He is pretty damn explosive and relentless. Love his hand usage–very active. I prefer shorter edge rushers for their leverage advantage, so the height doesn’t really bother me. It’s moreso the weight, but his pass-rushing style isn’t reliant on power.

This is sick. Ogbonnia uses an outside jab step and head nod to stop the tackle’s feet and subtle swipes to cross the tackle’s face.

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darockzillahitman
Dec 31, 2017 at 5:47 PM

Well yeah, he’s a pure pass rusher. But he’s an unbelievable one. If Gunther Cunningham was here, he’d be the second coming of Derrick Thomas.

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49oz2superbowl
Jan 18, 2018 at 2:08 PM

This guy to me is the #1 LEO candidate in the draft. Better than Chubb, Landry and Key in that regard. He won’t have the same physical measuables as far as length but he’s explosive, fluid, and can bend an edge better and counter-move better than all three.

If I’m Lynch and Co. I find a trade down partner and barring there’s no crazy blue chip player at our pick, trade down to the early 20’s (maybe BUF wanting one of the top 4 qb’s that falls to our pick and take this guy.

He’s one of my top 3 draft crushes this draft. People hyping up guys like Marcus Davenport but sleeping on a player like this who dominated the top level of competition. Very much reminds me of Elvis Dumervil.

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Dillesq
Jan 23, 2018 at 8:18 AM

To me he’s a perfect 3-4 OLB. Great motor and tenancity

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Heroism
Jan 23, 2018 at 8:21 AM

No, 34″ is good arm length, but it’s GREAT arm length for a guy that’s six feet tall. He’s got longer arms than Buckner and Armstead despite being 7 inches shorter.

Oh, baby, I was really starting to like him. Now it’s full-blown on

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ChaunceyGardner
Jan 23, 2018 at 9:45 AM

He seems to be around the ball on every play.

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lamontb
Jan 23, 2018 at 10:16 AM#44

Looks like a guy that we need to make a move up for on day 2 . Looks like he’s been shot out of cannon when he takes off

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NYniner85
Apr 28, 2018 at 4:40 AM#455

If we come about with OBO today I will consider this draft a success.

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49oz2superbowl
Apr 28, 2018 at 7:40 AM

It’s baffling to me that he’s still available. He did nothing but produce at a top program and outperformed Davenport at the Senior Bowl. I still will not get over the 74 pick we wasted on a Pettis trade up and taking a project safety to corner convert ahead of this guy when value and need so desperately point to edge.

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GhostOfBaalke
Apr 28, 2018 at 11:57 AM

Ogbonnio to rams. He might never become a solid starter, time will tell. But regardless, there is some great value for him in the mid 5th round.

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Antix
Apr 28, 2018 at 12:02 PM#465

Sonofab***h

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Nastastical
Apr 28, 2018 at 12:02 PM#466

Every time we passed on him I just kept getting the feeling he would end up in our division.

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Antix
Apr 28, 2018 at 12:04 PM#467

He was probably my number 1 draft crush now I gotta hope he sucks

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49oz2superbowl
Apr 28, 2018 at 12:06 PM#468

If he ends up being a good player and we predictably have no pass rush his season someone in our front office better be f**king fired or have their power entirely stripped. Whoever chose Street over him is a f**king joke.
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49erBigMac
Apr 28, 2018 at 12:29 PM#470

Massive kick in the nuts for him to go to the Rams, I hope I was wrong

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zonkers
Apr 28, 2018 at 3:52 PM#472

I have doubts that he has enough juice to start as a traditional edge. However, I think he could thrive under Wade Phillips’s one gap ‘n attack style.

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alyoshamucci sez

One thing off the bat… I judge big 12 LB rushers very differently than regular guys.

They have endurance. They can restart their motor quickly. Against a 2 minute offense they actually have the advantage.

He’s good off the ball. He’s got really good reflexes for batting passes and reacting to screens … He’s pretty good going backwards.

He can set the edge but could use work there.

He’s not as bendy as I would like …

I honestly don’t have many negatives … He’s near the top of my 40-64 range.

I’ve seen OO take over an entire series … tackle for loss, batted pass on a screen and a sack … he’s ridiculously quick off the ball.

Rookie linebacker Obo Okoronkwo studied the Rams player he might replace this season

RICH HAMMOND

link: https://www.ocregister.com/2018/05/15/rookie-linebacker-obo-okoronkwo-studied-the-rams-player-he-might-replace-this-season/

THOUSAND OAKS — As a football neophyte in college, Obo Okoronkwo needed study material, so one of his former coaches suggested video of an NFL player with a similar body type and skill set.

That’s how Robert Quinn unwittingly became Okoronkwo’s tutor, and now, a couple years later, Okoronkwo has a chance to replace Quinn as one of the Rams’ starting outside linebackers. It’s been a remarkable rise for Okoronkwo, whose draft day last month literally could have been part of a dream.

Okoronkwo and the rest of the Rams’ rookies arrived at the team’s Cal Lutheran practice facility Monday, then took part in on-field drills for the first time Tuesday morning as part of the team’s offseason program.

“I definitely see an opportunity to play, if I do everything in my power,” Okoronkwo said. “So I’m going to go in with a worker’s mentality. … Out of all 32 teams in the NFL, this is the perfect fit for me.”

There’s still an eternity before the Sept. 10 season opener against Oakland, and plenty for Okoronkwo to learn, but it’s beginning to seem as though he’s fated to have success with the Rams.

Okoronkwo said he went through the pre-draft process expecting to become a Ram. Area scout Steve Kazor remained in his ear and told him the team would draft him, even though the Rams didn’t have a pick until the third round and Okoronkwo had been projected to go as early as the second round.

Then came the draft, and Okoronkwo’s phone remained silent through the first three rounds. The Rams made two fourth-round picks and one fifth-round pick, and continued to skip over Okoronkwo until late in the fifth round, with the 160th pick.

“I’d waited so long that I fluffed my pillow and took a nap,” Okoronkwo said. “Every time I heard a pick and it wasn’t my name, I’d sink a little lower in my seat. There was a point where I was on the couch laying down, so I was like, let me just hop on my bed. I put my phone in the middle of my family and took a nap in the next room. They just busted in the room when they saw the area code said Thousand Oaks.”

Finally. Okoronkwo’s draft stock might have slipped a bit because of concerns about his size (6-foot-2, 253 pounds), speed and lack of experience. A son of Nigerian immigrants, Okoronkwo didn’t take up football until his junior year of high school, and even kept it secret from his parents for a while.

Okoronkwo quickly progressed at Oklahoma. In his first two years, he played in just nine games and recorded 16 tackles. In his junior and senior seasons, Okoronkwo played in 26 games and totaled 146 tackles, 17 sacks and five forced fumbles. He was the Big 12 co-defensive player of the year in 2017.

Now he’s a perfect fit for the Rams, who need to rebuild their group of linebackers. Second-year linebacker Samson Ebukam seems to have the edge to replace Connor Barwin, who didn’t re-sign with the Rams, and Okoronkwo will contend for playing time at the other outside spot.

That’s where things get a little eerie. When Okoronkwo took up football at his high school near Houston, shortly after Quinn had an All-Pro season with the Rams in 2013, a coach singled out Quinn and told Okoronkwo, “When you finally get it and the light comes on, this is the kind of player you’re going to be.”

So, Okoronkwo studied Quinn, who is slightly bigger at 6-4 but has a similar burst around the edge and is a pass-rush specialist. Okoronkwo watched other top linebackers, such as Von Miller and Justin Houston, but said he always kept a particular eye on Quinn’s skill set.

“His dip and lean,” Okoronkwo said. “He could really run and bend around that corner. I feel I can do that too. He does a lot of crafty things to get to that point, so that’s why I watch his film. I don’t even just watch highlights. I watched cut-ups because I wanted to learn the method behind the madness.”

The Rams traded Quinn to Miami in March, which left an opening that Okoronkwo might fill, although linebackers such as Matt Longacre and Morgan Fox also will be in contention for playing time.
That process started this week when Okoronkwo and 27 other rookies reported to Cal Lutheran and joined the Rams’ offseason program. They also will be on the field next week, when the Rams get into the more intense practices, commonly known as OTAs.

At some point, Okoronkwo likely will match up against the Rams’ third-round pick, offensive tackle Joe Noteboom, and those two have some history. Oklahoma beat TCU in 2016, then twice last season, including once in the Big 12 championship game.

Okoronkwo smiled and laughed when he talked of the time he “started giving (Noteboom) some gray hairs,” during that 2016 game when Okoronkwo got the better of Noteboom in the fourth quarter of a close game.

“He let up the game-clinching sack,” Okoronkwo said. “You can ask him about it. I sacked Kenny Hill and we won the game and went home. His story might be a little sadder.”