There was a time where Julian Okwara was a backup heading into his junior year and then there were reports he was making a move during fall camp. Since that moment, Okwara has grown into one of the top pro prospects on the Irish roster, and despite a senior year injury, might be the first Notre Dame player off the board in the NFL Draft.

SPECS

Name: Julian Okwara
Position: DE
Height: 6-4 (per the Combine)
Weight: 252 (per the Combine)
Hometown: Charlotte, NC

STATS

YEAR SOLO ASST TACKLES TFL SACKS
2016 2 2 4 0.0 0.0
2017 10 7 17 4.5 2.5
2018 26 13 39 12.5 8.0
2019 9 10 19 7.0 5.0
TOTAL 47 32 79 24.0 15.5

BIO:

Okwara was a low 4-star recruit out of Charlotte where he followed in the footsteps of his older brother Romeo (10 sacks through 4 seasons in the NFL despite being undrafted!) to South Bend. He was one of several defensive recruits from the 2016 class to burn a year of eligibility while not making much of an impact then followed that debut up with a solid backup role as a sophomore.

As mentioned in today’s preview, Okwara wasn’t expected to start as a junior but won the job over Daelin Hayes. He would not disappoint in the spotlight. Following a slow start, Okwara finished 2018 with 6.5 sacks over the final 6 games while leading the Irish with 12.5 tackles for loss.

His senior season was cut short during the 9th game at Duke in what was a slightly disappointing campaign to date. Okwara’s numbers were projected to be down a bit from his junior year and looked poor outside of a two-game flurry that saw him total 4 sacks and 5 tackles for loss.

STRENGTHS:

Great frame to add size and strength early in his professional career. Devastating quickness combined with his length. A high-impact and productive player over a short career in a starting role. Improved closing speed and finishing ability as a junior and senior. Effective dropping back in coverage with a rangy body-type. Enormously high ceiling. Still a raw but gifted pass-rusher.

WEAKNESSES:

Struggles containing the run game which could be a major weakness in the NFL. Could overtake a game but also disappear for long stretches. A concerning lack of tackles over his career. Needs to improve physicality and power rushing ability. Okwara can still improve on finishing and making a bigger overall impact on games.

OVERVIEW:

It’s safe to say that Okwara’s injury and pretty disappointing (for his lofty hype following 2018) senior season dropped his stock a little bit. It appeared not being able to work out at the Combine was going to be another blow but his measurements were phenomenal and he put up an impressive 27 reps on the bench press.

If someone is going to take Okwara really high in the draft it’s largely based off his incredible potential. His ceiling as a pro is really, really up there. At the same time, he was so average at best in the run game that it’s difficult to see him being an impact rookie. Some teams will probably want someone a little more polished for a 2nd round pick and it wouldn’t surprise me if Okwara actually slipped into the 3rd. Conversely, someone could fall in love with his ceiling and take him inside the top 40.

PREDICTION:

2nd Round, 58th Overall to the Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings were unlikely to address defensive end with any of their 4 picks through the first 3 rounds but veteran Everson Griffen walking away after stalled contracts has created much more of a need. Most mock drafts have Okwara going somewhere in the 60’s and this new situation in Minneapolis just might bump him up a few spots.

More scouting reports to come:

Jalen Elliott
Khalid Kareem