Player Overview
- Name: Kosi Okpala
- Position: Linebacker / Edge (Hybrid)
- Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
- High School: Mayde Creek (Katy, TX)
- Class: 2026
- 247Sports Rankings:
- No. 42 Edge nationally
- No. 56 overall player in Texas
- No. 42 Edge nationally
Recruitment Recap
Okpala picked Texas over Baylor, Miami, and Penn State. He’s the 16th commitment in the Longhorns’ 2026 class and gives the program a versatile, high-upside defender with SEC-level traits.
Strengths and Skill Set
- Positional Versatility: Okpala fits the mold of a hybrid linebacker who can play off-ball or rush the passer from the edge. His flexibility makes him valuable in multiple fronts and sub-packages.
- Explosive Pass Rusher: Quick-twitch athlete with great bend around the edge. Fires off the ball with purpose and consistently beats tackles with speed and leverage.
- Frame and Physical Tools: At 6’3”, 215 pounds with an extended wingspan, he has the frame to add more muscle without sacrificing mobility. Strong, compact build with good balance and power.
- Instincts and Discipline: Shows sharp football IQ with disciplined eyes. Rarely out of position and reads keys quickly in both run and pass defense.
- Motor and Pursuit: Outstanding chase-down speed. Consistently closes ground on ball carriers and quarterbacks, often from the backside.
- Defensive Versatility: Can attack from multiple angles and alignments. Comfortable in space or working through traffic in the box. Projects as a potential every-down defender at the next level.
Junior Season Production (2024)
- 55 total tackles
- 17 tackles for loss
- 5 sacks
Those numbers reflect his ability to be disruptive behind the line of scrimmage while maintaining solid production in the open field.
Fit at Texas
Okpala brings scheme versatility and edge presence to the Texas defense. He fits the mold of a modern hybrid linebacker with the ability to drop in coverage, rush the passer, and play sideline-to-sideline. As he continues to add mass and refine his technique, he projects as a strong candidate for a JACK linebacker or edge role within the Longhorns’ defensive system.
His upside is significant, and he could be a long-term impact player in Austin.
