Kene Okonkwo
Defensive End – Senior
New Mexico
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Kene Okonkwo: My height is 6’3 ½, 270 or 272 on a good day and a 4.8.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Kene Okonkwo: I have been at New Mexico the whole time. I am finishing up school. I plan to graduate in May.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from you at the Pro Day?
Kene Okonkwo: The pro day is on April 5th. I want to show my ability. My expectations are pretty high. I want to show my explosiveness, speed and strength. I want to dominate every drill.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Kene Okonkwo: I started playing football during my senior year of high school. I played basketball and soccer before. Football was never on my radar. Coaches came up to me and told me that I could be a good football player because of my size. My senior year, I decided to give it a shot. It ended up working out. I had some small I-AA schools. I had Sam Houston State, Arkansas State and Georgia State. I am from Dallas, Texas. The biggest school was New Mexico..
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose New Mexico?
Kene Okonkwo: Coach Davie came to my high school to watch me and talk to me. He believed in me. He thought that I had big potential.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Kene Okonkwo: Individually, I progressively got better every year. I had upside, but I didn’t know how to tap into that potential early on. I led the team in TFL’s and led DL’s in tackles last year. I played in two bowl games. We beat UTSA in the New Mexico Bowl. We also played Arizona in our first bowl game. We tied Boise State for a MWC title. It was a good career for me.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Kene Okonkwo: I am a good run defender. I have a good motor. I never give up on a play. I play with my hands and I am able to get off blocks. I fill and maintain my gaps.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Kene Okonkwo: Pass rush definitely. I didn’t have many opportunities to pass rush in college.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Kene Okonkwo: Individually, it was my senior night. I had a good game on senior night. Also winning the bowl game against UTSA. Being a part of that team was an amazing thing.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Kene Okonkwo: The Cowboys.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Kene Okonkwo: I like to watch DB’s like Tyrann Mathieu, Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Peterson and Richard Sherman. They talk a lot.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a DL?
Kene Okonkwo: Just having a great attitude. You can’t take any plays off. You have to be aggressive, have a motor and a mindset of never stopping.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Kene Okonkwo: Keep an eye on OL Aaron Jenkins. He is ready to break the record for most games played at New Mexico. QB Tevaka Tuioti, safety Stanley Barnwell and CB D’Angelo Ross.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?
Kene Okonkwo: QB from Wyoming (Josh Allen). He is a good player. We didn’t think that he was that good when watching him on film. But he is 6’5 and he runs around. He can make people miss. He is the toughest player we played against.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Kene Okonkwo: The camaraderie that it brings. It teaches you life lessons. It helps you grow as a person. Not a lot of sports have this type of thing.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Kene Okonkwo: I play video games.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Kene Okonkwo: I want to run my own business. I majored in business and finance. I want to be a financial planner.
Alex Khvatov: Finish the sentence, Kene Okonkwo is….
Kene Okonkwo: Outgoing. I am not afraid to be myself. I like to hev fun, no matter what.
