Mike Roach
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With a dark cloud hanging over the program from a loss against West Virginia, the Texas football program got a boost in the form of a commitment from Lewisville offensive lineman Denzel Okafor. The eleventh commitment of the 2016 class comes at a position in need of talented bodies. Okafor chose Texas over offers from TCU, Arkansas, Baylor, LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech.
Okafor fits the Joe Wickline mold of player who is a little rough technically but has a great build with good weight. The Texas offensive line has been in need of an overhaul for quite a while and things seem to be on the right track with the emergence of Patrick Vahe and Connor Williams. Okafor will join Tope Imade in the offensive line class while the staff continues to pursue North Mesquite tackle Jean Delance. Okafor and Imade share the common bond of Nigerian heritage, which carries a proud history within the Texas program. If Texas could close on Delance they would have a solid offensive line class to mix into the current pool of young players already on campus.
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Film Analysis:
At 6’4 290 lbs., Okafor has a dream build for an offensive lineman reminiscent of Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith. Since he carries no bad weight, it should be easy for Pat Moorer and his staff to build a prototype lineman from a physical standpoint. On the front foot Okafor is strong in the run game with strength to open holes and a motor that allows him to work second level. He moves well, but sometimes has trouble aligning himself with defenders in space. Okafor shows good versatility to play both guard and tackle with the ability to reach block, pull, and base block. Once Okafor engages he has the ability to overwhelm his man with his strength and leverage to drive him into the ground. Okafor will benefit most from pass rush instruction where he is pretty raw. Okafor uses his length well keeping his man from getting inside with good extension and hand placement. He also uses a good punch to deliver the blow and knock the pass rusher off balance. He does struggle with his kick slide and is a bit too narrow in his base which can cause him to get off balance and leave him susceptible to the speed rush or inside move. The good news is Okafor moves well and should be able to improve these things with proper coaching.
Final Verdict:
Okafor is a nice pickup who is underrated at this point as evidenced by his offer list. He’s athletic, has a great physical foundation, and shows versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line. He’s a valuable acquisition at a position of need, and with proper coaching he could become a valuable piece of a young, athletic unit. Wickline prospects are difficult to project, but the ceiling on Okafor suggests he could be an all conference level player with a chance to play in the NFL.
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