Transfer player that a Vols coach once said has a ‘chance to be the most athletic guy to ever play the position’ is getting SEC interest

The transfer portal is still running wide open despite closing later this week.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

A Tennessee Vols transfer defender that was praised for his athleticism when he arrived in Knoxville a couple of years ago is receiving some SEC interest.

Vols transfer EDGE Emmanuel Okoye didn’t make much of an impact at Tennessee, but he’s receiving interest from numerous Power-4 programs, including a couple of programs in the SEC.

Okoye’s agent pointed out Auburn and Mississippi State as a couple of schools that are showing interest in the Tennessee transfer.

Okoye, who started his career at tight end before moving to EDGE, totaled one tackle during his Tennessee career.

Emmanuel Okoye was praised for his athleticism by Vols tight ends coach Alec Abeln in 2023

Vols tight ends coach Alec Abeln raised some eyebrows in 2023 when he suggested that Okoye, a native of Nigeria, could be the most athletic guy to ever to play the tight end position.

“He’s got a chance to be the most athletic guy to ever play the position,” said 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 Vols tight end Jacob Warren made a similar comment about Okoye in 2023.

“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 obviously has elite talent, but he’s still relatively new to football. We’ll see if his next program can fully unlock his talent.

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