Tennessee Vols make under-the-radar addition to roster that could pay major dividends
The Tennessee Vols made an addition to their roster on Wednesday that might fly under the radar since it's the middle of May (aka the depths of the offseason). 2023 edge rusher/tight end Emmanuel Okoye, a native of Nigeria who attends the NFL Academy in London, announced his commitment to Tennessee on Wednesday. He'll be […]
The Tennessee Vols made an addition to their roster on Wednesday that might fly under the radar since it's the middle of May (aka the depths of the offseason).
2023 edge rusher/tight end Emmanuel Okoye, a native of Nigeria who attends the NFL Academy in London, announced his commitment to Tennessee on Wednesday. He'll be eligible to play for the Vols this fall and he should arrive on campus later this summer.
Okoye, 6-foot-5/230 lbs, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 29 edge rusher in the 2023 recruiting class.
Okoye is expected to play tight end for the Vols, though it's certainly possible he could be utilized as an edge rusher depending on what the staff sees during preseason camp in August.
Here's the scouting report on Okoye from 247Sports.
From 247Sports: One of one type of prospect. A former basketball player that was discovered at an NFL Africa camp and given the opportunity to learn the game of American football at the NFL Academy in London. Obviously, still very green and figuring things out from a technical standpoint, but reports elite testing numbers: 45.5-inch vertical jump to go along with a 135.5-inch broad jump . Also claims an absurd 7-foot-2 wingspan. Advertises himself as an “athlete” that could do a little bit of everything, but frame, burst and ability to bend while turning the corner suggests that his ceiling is probably highest as an edge rusher. However, can attack the rim on the hardwood and might be able to emerge as a flex tight end if he can figure out how to create separation against FBS-caliber defenders. Overall, should be viewed as a bit of a wildcard. Will likely need plenty of coaching and time in the film room, but athletic profiles like his are rare for a reason.
While it's unclear exactly how Okoye will end up fitting into Tennessee's plans in 2023, one thing that's certain is that the Vols are getting an incredibly explosive athlete who could be an X-factor this fall.
Okoye's testing numbers — a 45.5-inch vertical jump is absolutely insane for a player his size — show that he has NFL athleticism. The newest member of the Vols is raw (he's only been playing football for about a year), but he has seemingly unlimited potential. This could end up being one of the best additions of the offseason that no one noticed.
