Name: James Okike
School: Wesley College
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 215
Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?
My goals for the 2017-2018 season were to come in with as much energy as possible, enjoy my final year of college football with my 2nd family which is the team, be the impact player that I always have been known to be, and push to be the best team in the country.
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
Consistent, Dominant, Reliable.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
I already started training, working on my strength, speed, and quickness in and out of routes. I am also keeping the hand prepared as well by catching passes daily. I’m preparing like it’s a final for school. Working hard daily to become better at my craft.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
When I study film, I usually find out my matchups like who the Corners and Safeties are and who their backups are that I would go up against. I watch film on them make little notes on their tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses. I have a strong focus on coverages and schemes of defenses, so I know what I am up against. I also look for tips that give coverages up, like the way a Corner lines up in front of me etc.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
I think my size, field smarts, awareness, and my competitive nature separates me from athletes in all divisions.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
My strengths off the field are that I never put myself in harms way to get in trouble, I am a home-body. I take pride in being with family on my time off, and getting extra free time looking over sports stuff like film and NFL rewind videos of players I look up to. I’m also very team orientated, so I would try and do things with various position groups. On the field, I’m known as a leader, so I would push everybody, even competition to the best of their abilities. I am a hard worker, so I push myself to limits unimaginable to achieve goals. I also am very verbal, a great communicator, so if I see something that’s wrong, I can try and help someone, vice versa. If I am doing something wrong, I’m a good enough learner to correct my mistakes, take the criticism, and advance my game.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
My final pitch would be, I, James Okike can and will do what has to be done and more to be apart of any team. You honestly cannot decipher how good I can/cannot be because of the Division I played in. Talent is talent at the end of the day. I will play above your expectations even if you think highly of me, I am not complacent. There is always more work to be done, which is why life goes on.