Amobi Okoye

[Brando19]

Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye skipped two grades in school, started high school as a 12-year-old, and arrived on the Louisville campus at 16. He graduated with a degree in psychology in 3 1/2 years. Okoye took the leap his senior season from solid player to impact player. It's that potential for growth that has NFL scouts drooling.

Wow...this guy must be a genius!

[]{ilr]3]

Seems like the is one of or the youngest player to be drafted (or will be) in the NFL.

[esoxx]

Glad he'll be gone by the time the Packers pick.

[GrnBay007]

... took up the sport as a sophomore, knowing next to nothing about the game ... started 13 games on the defensive line as a 13-year-old ... played both ways, earning honorable mention all-state honors as a junior ... logged 60 tackles and nine sacks, earning first-team All-State honors on both sides of the ball as a senior.

Pretty freaky. Wish him well!

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Glad he'll be gone by the time the Packers pick.

Why?

[Lurker64]

Glad he'll be gone by the time the Packers pick.

Why?

It's a classic example of "potential", but in his favor:

1) He's a high character guy, and very mature.
2) He's quite strong and plays the run well.
3) He's quick off the ball and can penetrate inside.
4) He's already shown that he can be a terror against NFL caliber offensive linemen (c.f. the Senor Bowl.)
5) He has excellent measurables for a DT.
6) He'll be a 20 year old rookie in the NFL so not only is he going to get better as he gets stronger and improves his technique with continued exposure to the game, but he's got a whole lot left in the tank.

Almost certainly a top 10 pick. He has the potential to be amazing, but potential doesn't always produce results. Still, one of the 15 teams in front of us will almost certainly be enamored with the fact that if he realizes that potential he could be a rare Reggie White type player (Physically dominant, quick, high character, good technique) that they're going to snap him up. Really, most of the knocks against him are the sorts of thing that good coaching and effort on his part can correct.

[ND72]

when most guys are entering the draft, Okoye will already be entering his 2nd, maybe 3rd year in the pro's. He could slim down and play DE, or bulk up and play DT. I would take him over Gaines Adams, or even Mario Williams. He was solid his entire senior year...his junior year he started slow/quiet, but ended with a roar, which lead into his senior year. He'll be solid. I generally don't like any of this years 1st round defensive line players, but I'd take him right behind Johnson, Russell, Quinn, & Peterson. my top 5 would actually be Johnson, Peterson, Quinn, Okoye, Russell.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

when most guys are entering the draft, Okoye will already be entering his 2nd, maybe 3rd year in the pro's. He could slim down and play DE, or bulk up and play DT. I would take him over Gaines Adams, or even Mario Williams. He was solid his entire senior year...his junior year he started slow/quiet, but ended with a roar, which lead into his senior year. He'll be solid. I generally don't like any of this years 1st round defensive line players, but I'd take him right behind Johnson, Russell, Quinn, & Peterson. my top 5 would actually be Johnson, Peterson, Quinn, Okoye, Russell.

I agree, I don't really see a negative with this guy. The only thing you can say about him is will he live up to potential? But you can say that about everyone in the draft.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

I can't believe noone mentioned the fact that he admitted to teams that were interviewing him that he has smoked marijuana before. Not that it matters, I'd love the Pack to draft him.

[Scott Campbell]

He's footballs version of Doogie Howser.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I can't believe noone mentioned the fact that he admitted to teams that were interviewing him that he has smoked marijuana before. Not that it matters, I'd love the Pack to draft him.

I don't think its that big a deal, he did it once when he was 16. Hell I did it once and never did it again.

[ND72]

I can't believe noone mentioned the fact that he admitted to teams that were interviewing him that he has smoked marijuana before. Not that it matters, I'd love the Pack to draft him.

Calvin Johnson admitted it as well.

[Partial]

when most guys are entering the draft, Okoye will already be entering his 2nd, maybe 3rd year in the pro's. He could slim down and play DE, or bulk up and play DT. I would take him over Gaines Adams, or even Mario Williams. He was solid his entire senior year...his junior year he started slow/quiet, but ended with a roar, which lead into his senior year. He'll be solid. I generally don't like any of this years 1st round defensive line players, but I'd take him right behind Johnson, Russell, Quinn, & Peterson. my top 5 would actually be Johnson, Peterson, Quinn, Okoye, Russell.

He has potential but he isn't in the same athletic class as a Gaines Adams or a Mario Williams. That said, I don't like Clemson players so I'd take him over Adams, but never, ever, ever in a million years over a freak like Mario(hopefully not) Mamula.

[ND72]

He has potential but he isn't in the same athletic class as a Gaines Adams or a Mario Williams. That said, I don't like Clemson players so I'd take him over Adams, but never, ever, ever in a million years over a freak like Mario(hopefully not) Mamula.

You're right...cause he's above their class of play. Mario was a combine freak, but everythign that I read last year seemed to so far be 100% true...can't get off blocks, gets swallowed up by top level play...etc.etc....Mario would have been a bust no matter what team drafted him. There's no debate here, Mario IS the next Mike Mamula.

[Partial]

He has potential but he isn't in the same athletic class as a Gaines Adams or a Mario Williams. That said, I don't like Clemson players so I'd take him over Adams, but never, ever, ever in a million years over a freak like Mario(hopefully not) Mamula.

You're right...cause he's above their class of play. Mario was a combine freak, but everythign that I read last year seemed to so far be 100% true...can't get off blocks, gets swallowed up by top level play...etc.etc....Mario would have been a bust no matter what team drafted him. There's no debate here, Mario IS the next Mike Mamula.

I think you'll be eating those words. That is ridiculous to say. He was far from a bust last year, when everyone even said it would take him time to become seasoned. I value your opinion but to that I say this:

Okoye Total: 48 games played 121 tackles(assists included) 23.0 tfl 10.5 sacks
Mario Total: 36 games played 126 solo 55.5 tfl 25.5 sacks


Mario's stats dominated him in every category while playing lesser games. In terms of athleticness, Mario is better. In terms of production, Mario is better. How exactly is this guy a better prospect again?