Former Tennessee Vols defender with elite athleticism transfers to Power-4 program
A former Tennessee Vols defender has a new home in the ACC.
A former Tennessee Vols defender has a new home in the ACC.
Vols transfer EDGE Emmanuel Okoye committed to California on Saturday morning.
Okoye recently entered the transfer portal after spending the first three seasons of his career at Tennessee.
Okoye, who is from Nigeria, started his career at tight end before moving to EDGE after his true freshman season at Tennessee.
Emmanuel Okoye has received high praise for his athleticism
Okoye didn’t make much of an impact for the Volunteers — he totaled just one tackle during his time in Knoxville — but he’s a freakishly athletic player that still has plenty of upside.
“He’s got a chance to be the most athletic guy to ever play the position,” said Vols tight ends coach Alec Abeln in 2023 when asked about Okoye. “I truly believe that. He is as physically gifted as anybody I’ve ever been around. He’s got to continue to make steps every day. But just from a raw athletic standpoint, the ceiling is unlimited.”
Former Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren called Okoye one of the most pure athletes he’s ever played with.
“Emmanuel is one of the most pure athletes I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Warren in 2023. “Being completely real, the way he runs, the way he jumps, cuts and move. Everything about him is super athletic, super twitchy.”
Okoye will look to take a big step forward in his career next fall on the west coast.
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