Coach Chop explains what's different about Tennessee's Emmanuel Okoye this fall

When Tennessee outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin thinks about Emmanuel Okoye, he thinks about what could have been. What could have been — or where could Okoye be now — had he not been injured the last two falls. 

“He’s taken some steps,” Harbin, better known as ‘Coach Chop,’ said after Tennessee’s practice Wednesday morning. “Everybody needs to understand that he’s been hurt every fall he’s been here. So this will be his first true camp or really practice sessions with us.”

Okoye started his Tennessee career as a tight end in 2023, then moved to defensive end before being lost to a torn ACL last season after being injured late in fall camp. 

‘He’s a gifted young man. He’s trying to learn the game.’

He committed to and signed with Tennessee as an ultra athletic Nigerian prospect who attended the NFL Academy in England.

Okoye started playing football just four years ago. He was initially spotted on a basketball court, turning heads with his dunking ability at his size, and was invited to Osi Umenyiora’s ‘The Uprise’, a football talent evaluation camp held in Nigeria.

His recruitment quickly picked up after he went from Umenyiora’s camp to an NFL Africa talent identification camp in Nigeria and then to the NFL Academy in London. 

“He’s a gifted young man,” Harbin said. “He’s trying to learn the game. He’s raw, but I mean he’s going to give you effort.”

Season Opener: Tennessee vs. Syracuse, August 30, Atlanta

Okoye was initially part of the 2024 recruiting cycle, but reclassified to 2023 and signed with Tennessee in May, ranked No. 258 overall in the On3 rankings and No. 9 overall among athletes.

Harbin mentioned Okoye, along with pass-rushers Caleb Herring and Jordan Ross, as players getting extra practice reps during fall camp while senior defensive lineman Joshua Josephs is sidelined.

“Those guys are getting much needed valuable reps versus really good on good talent,” he said. “So that’s benefited them more than them just getting half the reps. They get all the reps now, so that’s been good for them. Competition wise and from the mental side.”

From all sides, Okoye is looking to keep growing as he enters his redshirt sophomore season.

“He’s passionate about getting good every day,” Harbin said, “and he’s taking the steps mentally and physically. He’s just got to keep working and I know he will. And I just gotta make sure I keep pushing him and making sure I give him a tube to be successful.”