NFL Draft Profile: Ikenna Enechukwu, EDGE, Rice Owls
Ikenna Enechukwu
Rice Owls
#91
Pos: EDGE
Ht: 6040
Wt: 264
Hand: 0958
Arm: 3358
Wing: 8148
40: 4.70
DOB: 1/24/2000
Hometown: Kansas City, MS
High School: Ruskin
Eligibility: 2023
One Liner:
Enechukwu has an NFL body with some attractive power and physical tools, but he’s far from a finished product.
Evaluation:
Enechukwu took official measurements at the Shrine Bowl. He’s 6040 and weighs 266 lbs. He has 9 1/2-inch hands, 33 5/8-inch arms, and an 82 1/8-inch wingspan. Rice allowed Enechukwu to rush from two and three-point stances. His role with the team changed over the last two years of his career. In 2021, he primarily reduced inside and played 4i or 3-tech, but he spent most of 2022 operating as a traditional 5-tech. He found substantial success at the Shrine Bowl playing 3-tech. Enechukwu is a high-effort player with good arm length and room to add more mass to his frame. His hands are violent and get into the offensive lineman’s pads. As a pass rusher, Enechukwu uses rip, swim, and push-pull moves along with a two-armed bull rush. He frequently goes for double-handed swipes or latches onto the lineman before ripping him down with his upper body strength. The Missouri native uncoils from his stance and fires into linemen with good leverage and powerful leg drive. His bull rush gave USC a lot of trouble this past season. Enechukwu loves to engage and lock out linemen with his long arms before disengaging into a rip move. He creates easy separation from blockers as a pass rusher because of his arm length. Enechukwu is an older prospect, but he still has a lot to learn about his position. He benefited from facing lesser competition at the collegiate level but still never really dominated. Enechukwu only saw action against three Power Five teams in the past two years. He has average to below average change of direction skills and limited bend because of lower body tightness. His pad level rises quickly, and his pass rush wins are more gradual than sudden. The former two-star recruit doesn’t always approach plays with a pass rush plan, and his overall pass rush plan is still developmental. There are reps where Enechukwu doesn’t deploy counters or gets too lazy with his hands. His foot speed and explosiveness off the line are inconsistent. He relies a lot on his upper body strength to pull or toss linemen, which will become more difficult in the NFL. Enechukwu gets bogged down by double teams and doesn’t set a hard edge against the run. He’s too easily sealed or collapsed.
Grade:
6th Round
Background:
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri. Attended Ruskin High School. Played at Rice University. Decided to redshirt his first year. As a redshirt freshman, he played in eleven games, totaling twenty seven tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, which ranked third on the team, and 1.5 sacks. During the shortened 2020 season, he played in all five games, totaling ten tackles. As a redshirt sophomore, played in twelve games, totaling forty eight tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. During his redshirt junior season, he played in thirteen games, totaling thirty seven tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.
