Emmanuel Okoye talks about journey from Nigeria to United Kingdom to Tennessee

Two years ago, Emmanuel Okoye never would have imagined that he’d be playing college football at Tennessee. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, he didn’t even play the sport at that point, instead believing he had a brighter future in basketball.

But on the suggestion of brothers Olutobi and Iseolupo Adepitan, the founders of top Nigerian program Educational Basketball, he decided to give football a try. Okoye attended former Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora‘s Uprise camp and was later invited to an NFL Africa’s talent identification camp in Ghana in June of 2022.

He found himself to be a natural, leaving a major impression on the two-time Super Bowl champ and earning a spot at the NFL Academy in London that fall.

“Did my best in socks,” Okoye said of his early experiences at those camps. “Just did what I had to do. He saw the zeal I had for the game and gave me the opportunity to play football in the UK at NFL Academy. I put my 100% into it and I’m here.”

With the increased exposure that came with attending the NFL Academy, it didn’t take long for college programs to realize Okoye’s potential. He ultimately received 18 offers from top schools, landing on the Volunteers over big names such as Georgia and USC.

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 228 pounds, Okoye was listed as the No. 18 athlete in the 2023 class according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He will play tight end for the Volunteers, and cited his relationship with coach Josh Heupel as what separated Tennessee from the rest of the programs recruiting him.

“Coach Heupel gave me his unique vision for me,” Okoye said. “What he sees me becoming in the nearest future. The way he can build me to become the best player I can possibly become. He’s a really unique coach. The coaching staff, great guys. (Tight ends) coach Alec (Abeln) is one of the best to do the job. So being in such an environment with such coaches is a blessing.”

As Okoye is still adjusting to the game of football, he now must also grow used to living in a new country. He admitted that there are plenty of differences from his home country of Nigeria and the US, but added he does see some similarities between his hometown and Knoxville.

“I would say the US to Nigeria is quite different,” Okoye said. “Accent, languages, you know. The style, the way people dress. It’s quite different. The food, the environment in general. But I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, so it’s quite similar to out here. Where I grew up is more nature, so that’s more similar to Knoxville. That’s a good reason why I chose here.”

With his football career literally just getting started, there’s no telling where Okoye could be in a couple years’ time. He’ll have the chance to make his debut in a Vols jersey when Tennessee kicks off the 2023 season on Sept. 2 against Virginia.