Okechi Ntiasagwe

Wide Receiver – Senior

Benedict College

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?   

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  6’3, 196 and I run a 4.5.      

 

Alex Khvatov:  Your first name is Okechi, what does it mean in Nigerian?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  It means God’s gift.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I train at Apex facility in downtown Columbus, SC. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall experience at the FCS Bowl?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  It was a good experience.  It brought out the competitor in me even more.  I have that competitive side.  I want to do better than the man in front of me.  There was so much talent out there.     

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest thing that you took away from that all-star game?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  To compete.  No matter what it is.  Everyone is always watching.  I wanted to win every rep in the one on one’s.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What type of feedback did you receive from scouts?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  They told me that I had natural hands.  I am pretty good at tracking down balls and getting last minute separation.  They praised my size, route running and hands.      

 

Alex Khvatov:  You also were invited to the Tropical Bowl all-star game.  Tell me about that experience.

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I was able to quickly fit in and stand out.  When I see someone in front of me, I have to go harder in the one on one’s.  The plays came naturally to me.  I stood out and caught everything.     

 

Alex Khvatov:  What did you learn from the Tropical Bowl coaching staff?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  They told me that everyone runs pretty much the same plays at the next level.  Some teams are able to execute them better than others.  Our team was able to execute them better.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Were you satisfied with your overall performance at that all-star game? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I was satisfied.  I got good reps during practice.  I wish that I had touched the ball during the game.  But in the practices, I did pretty well.      

 

Alex Khvatov:  When is your Pro Day and what can we expect from you? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I plan to participate in the Benedict and Coastal Carolina pro days.  I am looking to show that I can run good routes, catch the ball and come out in and out of breaks smoothly.  I want to run a good forty. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I only played one year of varsity football.  I had Benedict, North Greenville and Wingate looking at me.  Benedict was my only offer.  I stayed in Columbia, closer to home.     

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Benedict College?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  Both of my parents went there and graduated from there.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career. 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  The 2014 class was when Benedict started doing recruiting.  I signed and started #3 on the depth chart.  I worked my way up.  During the second scrimmage of fall camp, I proved myself and became the backup.  I was ineligible during the first game of the season.  During the second game, I was second string.  I caught the first catch in the second quarter.  It was all-natural.  I became a starter after the third game and I have been the starter ever since except when I got hurt.  The coach’s contract was up and he had to leave.  I had to start over and prove myself again.  We changed from the spread to a pro-style offense.  We focused on the run game.  We had three different QB’s during my sophomore season.  I sprained two ligaments in my left ankle and played through the injury.  I earned the respect of my new head coach.  We went 0-10 that year.  During my junior year, I recovered from the injury.  They started me and they had plays designed for me.  A lot of balls came my way.  We won the first game of the season.  I scored five TD’s that year.  We went 6-5.  I had a lot of highlights.  We started 3-0 my senior year, but we lost to Limestone in OT.  I had the worst game against Limestone.  I had five drops during that game.  We were focused in our conference games.  We lost to Fort Valley in double OT the next game.  We won the rest of our games and tied Fort Valley’s record.  Fort Valley was the team that went to the Conference Championship because they beat us.  We were both 7-2.  We passed the torch to the young guys.  Junior and senior year were my best years.  I had to deal with double teams every game.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  My size, my route running and my hands.  I get separation before the ball gets there.  I will get it before the DB.  My IQ also stands out. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  My speed and quickness too.  I want to come out quicker in and out of breaks.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I had 134 yards on six catches and a TD this past year.  During another game this year, I had 10 catches for 118 yards.  I also had a couple of one-handed catches.     

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I am a Baltimore fan.  I was a big fan of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.     

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  Right now, it is DeAndre Hopkins.  Ed Reed was one of my all-time favorite athletes.  He could do it all.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  To be able to get separation, block and catch the ball.  You also have to have the knowledge of the game.     

 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  QB Dominique Harris is pretty good.  #95 DL Charles Williams, #92 DL Rickym Holmes, #52 All-American C Justin Brown and #73 RT Harrison Terry. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  Johnathon McCrary from Clark Atlanta is a nice QB.  CB Nicco Whigham played at Benedict, but now he is at Fort Valley State.        

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  It teaches you a lot about life.  It teaches you how to be a man.       

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I like to make music and play sports.  Besides football, I have played basketball, tennis, volleyball and soccer.       

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over? 

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  I want to get into digital software.  I want to make music.      

 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Okechi Ntiasagwe is….

 

Okechi Ntiasagwe:  On the field, I am a competitor.  Off the field, I am a goofball.  I am really relaxed.