Okonkwo Impressing at East-West Shrine Bowl

Football
2/1/2022 1:42:00 PM

LAS VEGAS, NV – Maryland football tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo is preparing for the East-West Shrine Bowl, which will take place this Thursday, February 3 at 8:00 pm EST and air on the NFL Network.

Okonkwo has been in Las Vegas since last week where he has met with NFL teams, spoken to the media and participated in four practices. The All-Big Ten tight end opened the eyes of both Scouts and media through the first few days of practice.

Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo is a name you all should watch for once we get into Shrine Bowl practices (starting Tomorrow).

Blocks his ass off as a Y. They Trusted him to handle edges in pass pro all on his own and was very good at it. Really strong at POA. I like him a lot.

– Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 28, 2022

Chigoziem Okonkwo/ TE / Maryland has looked terrific in afternoon practices at the @ShrineBowl. Looks like a big possession wide out playing tight end.

– Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) January 29, 2022

Via Pro Football Network from Day One: “Chigoziem Okonkwo was the best tight end on the field today. As I tweeted earlier, they look like a possession wideout playing tight end with his ability to get down the field and effortlessly come away with the catch. “

And Day Two: “The possession receiver in a tight end’s body, Chigoziem Okonkwo was dominant in individual drills as well as in team and 7-on-7 drills. He proved to be too much for linebackers to stick with and routinely made plays over defensive backs. Okonkwo put is quite a show for Maryland this season, and he’s continued that so far in Vegas.“

Come Day Three on Monday when he was already on People’s Radar, Chig SHINED.

.@CamMellor‘s Shrine Bowl risers and sliders from day 3 of practice.

➡️ Chigoziem Okonkwo 📈
➡️ Baylon Spector 📈
➡️ Jalen McKenzie 📉

Check out the full list ⬇️⬇️https://t.co/jOiXJg12II

– Pro Football Network (@ PFN365) February 1, 2022

Via Pro Football Network: “Snagging a one-handed grab during one-on-ones in Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo was dominant on Day 3. They made multiple plays during the one-on-ones as well as team drills, and he was uncoverable by linebackers. They utilized him all over the formation and from a number of alignments – and they won all the same. Okonkwo runs like a gazelle and has sure hands at the catch point. He’s difficult to cover and also showed promise in the run game. “

Great story by The Draft Network: Chigoziem Okonkwo Was Monday’s Star of Shrine Bowl Practice

Brock Purdy to Chigoziem Okonkwo pic.twitter.com/kw5POJb2MT

– Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) January 31, 2022

Let’s watch the tape:

Chigoziem Okonkwo just turned around and caught this ball with one hand. I triple checked. Super casually too. pic.twitter.com/0ANXD1pEHJ

– Matt Alkire (@mattalkire) February 1, 2022

Chigoziem Okonkwo gets vertical, shows a stutter go and freezes the S. Jack Coan hits him with a rope for a TD. These two have been OUTSTANDING. Michael Mayer, talk to your guy. pic.twitter.com/uqNRm8xSHo

– Matt Alkire (@mattalkire) February 1, 2022

OK, Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo again. Late hands. Plucks it. Jack Coan seems to dig this connection. I’m good with it. pic.twitter.com/jePdSYyfEf

– Matt Alkire (@mattalkire) February 1, 2022

Brock Purdy to Chigoziem Okonkwo pic.twitter.com/kw5POJb2MT

– Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) January 31, 2022

“I was very surprised when we got the playbook because it was the exact same playbook that we ran at Maryland,” Okonkwo said. “So everything I’m doing at Maryland. I come out here and do. I feel very comfortable doing everything.”

Hear from Chig himself:

Post West team practice press conference with players @ChigTweets of @TerpsFootball and Baylon Spector of @ClemsonFB https://t.co/jIBC8wgNdd

– East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) January 31, 2022

.@TerpsFootball YOU Chigoziem Okonkwo broke down his position, and why they are right on par w / the QBs in terms of seeing the field, while also being asked to handle multiple responsibilities. #ShrineBowl

👉🏿https://t.co/5Sc8cwsnUB pic.twitter.com/4OXUvHfIRI

– Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) January 30, 2022

Okonkwo had a phenomenal 2021 season for the record-breaking Terps passing offense, hauling in 52 catches for 447 yards and five touchdowns. He ranked first in the Big Ten in receptions in conference games (41) and second in receiving touchdowns (five). He hauled in 12 receptions against Penn State, the second-most in a game by any Big Ten player this season, and his 112 receiving yards at Michigan State were the second-now by any tight end in a Big Ten game this season.