NFL Academy graduate spotted by Giants legend
NFL Academy athlete Emmanuel Okoye has become the latest player to graduate from the Loughborough-programme and join a Division 1 US college after committing to the University of Tennessee.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, 18-year-old Okoye’s American football journey began after being discovered by two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora.
Scouts for his The Uprise programme invited him to attend their inaugural football talent identification camp in Abuja, Nigeria, last year.
After impressing there, he was invited to NFL Africa’s talent identification camp in Ghana last summer, with his performance earning him a place at the NFL Academy in Loughborough.
The academy, an elite player pathway programme which opened in September 2019, is a major initiative by the NFL, which aims to use football to create life-changing opportunities for young people all around the world.
Okoye’s decision to commit to the University of Tennessee will see him enrol in June and play NCAA College Football in the upcoming academic year.
He said: “While I will always be part of the NFL Academy family, I am excited to join the University of Tennessee, and to continue to develop as a player and a young man.
“I hope I will make my family proud, and that starts with an elite education – which was key to my decision-making – and I can’t wait to take this opportunity and give it everything I have.”
Umenyiora, who was born in the UK to Nigerian parents and is spearheading the NFL’s football development efforts in Africa, said: “What an incredible moment for Emmanuel. His athleticism, natural sporting talent and outstanding personal character makes him an impressive prospect for the game.”
Lamonte Winston, head of the NFL Academy, said: “Everyone here is proud of Emmanuel and excited to support him as he makes an important next step in both his football and personal journey.”
Okoye represented the NFL Academy in three games, at defensive end and on special teams.
He played in games against IMG Academy, Scotland U19s and Nottingham University.
Based at Loughborough’s world-renowned centre of sporting excellence and in partnership with Loughborough College and Loughborough University, the academy programme promotes world-class performance and the development of elite player pathways, supporting student athletes with NFL best practices and resources.
To find out more about the programme, visit: nflacademy.com