:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69391012/usa_today_14968665.0.jpg)
Name: Caleb Okechukwu
Position: Defensive Line
Year: (Redshirt) Sophomore
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 262 lbs
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: St. John’s College
2020 stats: The sophomore had a good season, appearing in all 11 games after missing all of 2019 with what SU Athletics describes as “illness.” In those 11 games, Okechukwu compiled 14 tackles and 1 sack.
2021 projections: With the returns of Josh Black, McKinley Williams, and Kingsley Jonathan (plus Cody Roscoe), there isn’t a ton of space to be part of the starting group. That said, depth at defensive line is probably the weakest spot on this roster, so Okechukwu will feature in the rotation. There’s a very good chance he appears in all 12 games, and should one of the ends get injured, Okechukwu would be in line to step up as starter.
How’d he get here?: He turned down offers from Arizona, Tennessee, and Arkansas to come to ‘Cuse. The defensive end also took visits to Texas and Maryland.
What’d recruiting sites say?: This may surprise you, but three stars all around.
Money quote: On why he chose our Orange over Burnt Orange:
“I felt the love from Texas, I felt the love from Arkansas,” Okechukwu said during a phone interview Friday morning, “but there was more from Syracuse. I was a top priority for them and they made that known.“
Twitter feed: @IamCaleb_18
Tweets of wonder: You can see Okechukwu in this video coach Vince Reynolds put out earlier this offseason demonstrating basic drills for defensive lineman.
To all my players and coaches, I wanted to share some basic fundamental drills for the DL. #TechniqueTuesday#GrowthAndProgression#ReynoldsRapp pic.twitter.com/exgbZURtMy
— Vince Reynolds (@CoachReynolds81) May 4, 2021
What movie would Dino recommend for him?: While I don’t know if Dino is big on comic movies, I’m tapping our tie-in here and going with X-Men First Class. Caleb Landry Jones plays Banshee in the last reboot of the X-Men film franchise.
Interesting nugget o’interest: Caleb’s brother Josh Okechukwu is a wide receiver at Nassau Community College. Apparently the athletic talent is strong in the family.
Let’s get a look at ya: Here are some highlights from his All-American game in High School.