ATHLETES LIKE IKECHUKWU OKAFOR COME FEW AND FAR BETWEEN ON THE GRAND SCALE OF HOUSTON-AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.
Coming off an impressive year in which he racked up 86 tackles and eight sacks to secure a second-team, all-district nod, Okafor has been a vital component to Hastings’ imposing defensive line, opposite of fellow senior Smith Orogbo (Texas-commit).
As the 6-foot-3, three-star edge-rusher laces up his cleats for one final campaign, it’s given him the opportunity to reflect on his journey.
“I’ve been playing since I was 12,” he said. “At first, I didn’t even like the sport because I didn’t know what to do. But then, my coach at the time pulled me to the side and told me, ‘you can really go somewhere far with this one’.
“Since then, the coaches have put me through hell to get me where I am today, but the results show why. They’ve been great motivators throughout my journey. There’s no other way to put it.”
By the same logic, his decision to continue his playing career at the University of California followed a parallel reasoning.
“Right back to the coaching,” said Okafor. “Coach (Andrew) Browning (defensive line coach at Cal), that’s my dog. I really love the coaching staff and the culture they have over there.They truly care about their players. I’ll have to get used to their beaches though since the water’s cold, but I think I’ll fit right into that program.”
The Hastings senior chose to become a Golden Bear over numerous other DI programs who sent an offer his way, such as Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Houston, Texas Tech and UNT.
While his physical stature and capabilities as a defender make it easy for him to stand out on the turf, the way Okafor chooses to spend his time off of it has become increasingly more mainstream.
“I actually love watching anime,” he said. “Demon Slayer has been my go-to mostly. That new season they just released was great, but I’m really looking forward to the final trilogy they’re working on."
As he makes his final appearance donning the black-and-gold this Fall, the Bears’ star defensive lineman will have one goal in mind.
“I want to make it to the playoffs, man,” Okafor said. “I want to be a dog on the field before moving on to Cal. I’m going to be graduating early and leaving in January, so I’ve got to make the most of the time I have left here.”
Sounds like a pretty straightforward objective.
Given his track record, Okafor is unlikely to leave any questions unanswered as he and the Bears seek to fulfill it