There’s an interesting connection between Denver Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung and well-touted NFL draft prospect Emmanuel Ogbah.
Both have Nigerian roots, both grew up in Texas, both attended George Bush High School in Fort Bend, Texas, and both played college ball at Oklahoma State. And it turns out that isn’t a total coincidence.
Even though Okung is six years older than Ogbah, he connected with the fellow African/Texan on a trip home several years ago. The two realized they had common roots and Okung became somewhat of a mentor to Ogbah.
Okung is a major reason why Ogbah decided to follow him to Oklahoma State.
“They’ll treat you right, they’ll take care of you, they’ll prepare you,” Ogbah remembers Okung telling him before he picked the Cowboys. “They have one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country.”
The two are still in touch as Okung guides Ogbah through the draft process, making it easier for the 22-year-old to deal with the fact analysts have questioned his explosiveness.
“What most people don’t realize is our defense is a run-first defense,” he explained to me, “so when I get off the ball I’m always playing the run first before I think about pass-rushing. That’s what I have to talk to teams about, because some people don’t realize I could get off the ball fast if I could, but I had the play the run first.”
Ogbah is expected to be a late-first-round or second-round pick but there’s even talk he could be picked in the top 15, as Okung was in 2010.
Hearing Emmanuel Ogbah could possibly go in top 15
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) March 23, 2016
