SI All-American Candidate Tobechi Okoli Highlights and Evaluation
Prospect: DE Tobechi Okoli
Projected Position: Defensive End
Status: SI All-American Candidate
Vitals: 6-foot-5, 250 pounds
School: Kansas City (Mo.) Lincoln College Prep
Committed to: Auburn
Frame: Prototype length and natural size. Broad shoulders, wide chest and big waist. Thick, tightly-wound lower half with a developed trunk. Plenty of room for additional good weight.
Athleticism: Outstanding balance. A coordinated overall athlete with good closing speed. Flexible. Active feet, but not especially quick in short areas. Strong and powerful. Lacks a degree of explosiveness.
Instincts: Physical. Aggressively engages lineman at the snap. Converts to power quickly, whether firing from stance or on move. Comfortable anchoring, setting the edge in the run game. Routinely beats offensive linemen off the ball. Polish: Takes full advantage of arm length, regularly getting into the chest of blockers with a punch. Not the most active hand-fighter. Plays with a good, solid base, but occasionally gets upright after shedding. Needs to add, diversify pass-rush moves.
Bottom Line: Okoli looks like a Power-5 defensive end right now. Individual pass-rush ceiling from edge limited due to lack of burst and explosion but should contribute plenty in other areas. Projects as a multi-year starter at strong-side defensive end, with the versatility to slide inside on passing downs.