Notre Dame's Julian Okwara Hopes to Keep the NFL Family Tradition of Excellence Alive

Julian Okwara is projected to have an easier path to the NFL than his older brother Romeo did as an undrafted free agent. But once he gets to the league, Julian hopes to keep alive the tradition of younger brothers doing their families proud.

Eli Manning’s career proved the New York Giants could turn the younger brother of an already-established NFL player into a star. In the 2020 NFL Draft, they could do so again by drafting 22-year-old defensive end Julian Okwara out of Notre Dame.

Okwara’s older brother Romeo was an undrafted free agent who played in two seasons (2016-17) for the Giants. In the 2016 Wild Card game against the Packers, Okwara sacked Aaron Rodgers in a competitive first half and is with the Lions these days after not being retained by the Giants after the 2017 season.

Since moving on to Detroit, the older Okwara has 9.0 sacks in 29 games and has established himself as a critical contributor to the Lions defense.

Now the younger and, per several scouting reports, more talented Julian is hoping to enjoy similar NFL success to his big brother in Detroit. The Giants, a team in need of some pass rush help, could extend the opportunity to springboard Okwara’s success as they did for his older brother in 2016.

“The Giants are a team that gave [Romeo] a chance,” Okwara said at the Combine last month.

“That’s the reason he’s with the (Detroit) Lions right now. He could not have been on a team. So I’m grateful to them for giving him an opportunity, and hopefully, it opens up a door for me.”

If Julian joined the Giants in 2020, he’d be following his older brother on a journey that began in Nigeria, where the two were born. That journey continued in Charlotte, North Carolina where the Okwara family immigrated 14 years ago.

“We made the move to Charlotte when I was eight years old. It wasn’t much of a culture shock because I had some family here already,” Okwara said. “I remember Romeo and I just hanging out. We always had sports when life got tough.”

Okwara’s family quickly embraced American football, as he and his brother went on to play under head coach Brian Kelly for one of college football’s most storied programs.

Starring for a program with as much prestige as Notre Dame could be considered a litmus test for whether or not Okwara has what it takes to uphold the mantle on a team like the Giants, for whom if he’s drafted, he’d be just as proud to wear the uniform as his brother once was.

Okwara, a senior captain for the Fighting Irish in 2019, started the first nine games before suffering a late-season injury to Duke. He recorded four sacks and was on pace to be a projected first-round pick before a leg injury dented his draft stock. Okwara is projected as a first-round draft pick, but there’s also a chance that if his medicals don’t check out, he could slide to Day 2.

Recovery from the leg injury kept Okwara from doing any running at the combine this year, but he did put up 27 bench press reps, which ranked in the top 10 among all participating defensive linemen.

The 6-foot 4, 252-pounder also reportedly interviewed well, where he reaffirmed his high character and leadership abilities. He projects as a speed-rushing end best suited for a 4-3 base defense, his best pass-rushing performance coming in his junior year when he recorded 8.0 sacks and 21 quarterback hurries, leading Notre Dame in both categories.

“I’m a big film guy … Getting in the film room and picking up on anything about [the quarterback’s] habits before he snaps the ball can be huge.” Okwara said. “Watching the offensive linemen on film is a huge component as well.”

Although his brother is no longer part of the Giants, Okwara wouldn’t be without part of his “extended” family as the Giants have a pair of Irish alumni–receiver Golden Tate and defensive back Julian Love – on the roster.

And if not, Okwara, as he said throughout his combine media session, hopes to go to an NFL team where he can prove his value.