German LB receiving heavy attention from Alabama after camp
Alabama has signed a few international players during Nick Saban’s tenure in Tuscaloosa- John Metchie (Canada) and Olaus Alinen (Finland). Both had experience playing high school football in the United States before enrolling in college. Alabama recently offered a linebacker from Germany who impressed during his second camp performance in Tuscaloosa.
Justin Okoronkwo, a linebacker who measured 6-foot-3, 220+ pounds, wowed the Crimson Tide in testing, agility drills and one-on-ones. He clocked a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He primarily worked at inside linebacker, but also went 4-of-4 in pass rush against offensive tackles. It’s something he had never done prior to the Tide’s camp.
He met with Coach Saban after the work-out on June 21, and spoke with the Tide’s head coach a few days later to confirm a scholarship offer. Okoronkwo also spoke again with inside linebackers coach, Robert Bala.
“The culture is one-of-a-kind,” Okoronkwo said after attending an Alabama camp. “‘Bama is exactly what you expect it to be. I like the culture that’s at Bama. It’s a place where everybody goes to compete to be the very best.”
Okoronkow gave an early commitment to Maryland (11/29/22), and remains committed to the Terps. He returned to College Park for an official visit two weekends ago. A few other schools are also in contention including Georgia, Ohio State, Nebraska and South Carolina. There are plans to return to Tuscaloosa later this month, and expects to return in the fall for an official visit.
“They (Alabama) have been looking for guys with his size and speed,” Coach Brandon Collier told BOL who runs PPI Recruits based in Wiesbaden, Germany. “Coach Saban and Coach Kevin Steele took a big interest in what he did.
“The Bama offer made a statement,” he added. “Anyone who knows football knows Alabama, and he (Okronkwo) knows the school well. He grew up watching Alabama and LSU. His first impressions at Alabama is that it’s how the NFL would feel like. It’s a straight business mind-set.”
Alabama also known as NFL U
Alabama is a regular stop on the summer camp circuit for Coach Collier. He understands Coach Saban’s ‘offer’ process, and believes it’s the best approach in the game.
“Alabama doesn’t ask a kid how many offers he has or look at how many stars are next to his name,” Coach Collier said. “They are the only school in America that recruits the way they recruit-by Nick Saban’s eyes. He is looking for guys who have the ability to play in the NFL. That’s why I keep coming back and bringing guys to ‘Bama.”
Okoronkwo will complete his senior season in September. Collier credits Coach Josh Alaeze with helping train and develop Okoronkwo who went from 210-pounds to 225-pounds after a year while maintaining 4.5-speed (he clocked a 4.49 40 at Michigan’s camp in 2022).
“He played safety prior to moving to linebacker,” Coach Collier said. “He returns kicks. He’s physical as heck. This is his third season ever playing football. He has physicality, size and NFL measurables; just imagine him once he develops in a college system. He has all the tools and athletic ability. The more he understands the game the faster he’ll play.”
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