Maryland was able to roll the red carpet out for several of their top targets heading into the third and final official visit weekend, but they also got a chance to host four of their early commitments in the 2024 class to close out a hectic month. That includes German linebacker Justin Okoronkwo, whose solidified himself as a potential immediate impact prospect.
Okoronkwo gave his verbal to Maryland after visiting for the Ohio State game last fall, choosing the Terps over offers from Penn State and Michigan, but it wasn’t until this summer when the three-star linebacker took a break from his senior season this summer to join PPI Recruits on a camp tour through June. It didn’t take long for Okoronkwo’s stock to rise as South Carolina, Nebraska and Alabama all extended offers to the future middle linebacker after flashing his freakish athleticism on full display, posting a 4.04 shuttle, 36.5 inch vertical and 4.57 40 yard dash at Georgia’s camp at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds.
“He’s doing skill work, training four and five times a week including team practices. We do outdoor field training at least two to three times per week, too,” Nurnberg head coach Josh Alaeze told IBG. “He’s going to be a MIKE or WILL ‘backer. We teach him how to pass rush, but very rarely are you going to find a guy who is 6-foot-3, 225. Very rarely will you see a guy that can run a 4.5 sideline to sideline.”
In just his second year playing linebacker, Okoronkwo is also learning the game from a different perspective having lined up as the starting safety on Germany’s national team. “He’s just learning the Qs of what he needs to play inside ‘backer. His learning curve is high. There are no wasted reps. You tell him once, he gets it. You tell him twice, he’s got it.”
@Okoronkw1Justin Fresh off @PPIRecruits College Prep Tour with @BCollierPPI. Received Offers from Bama, South Carolina & Nebraska but will never get complacent.
Tempo movement specific work. Just trying to master the basics. pic.twitter.com/9UdxnUxIeL
— Coach Josh Alaeze (@JoshAlaeze) June 28, 2023
Okoronkwo wasted no time hitting the field after arriving back in Germany this week, but the weekend gave him a chance to see more of Maryland on his second visit to campus with his family by his side. “The highlight of the visit was having my family with me to experience it,” Okoronkwo told IBG. “It was great to be back at Maryland and to see all sites of the campus. Especially the academic buildings and the dorms where I’m gonna live.”
The weekend also gave him a chance to familiarize himself with the defensive staff ahead of a sit-down with head coach Mike Locksley.
“It was a great experience to learn more about them as a coach and as a person. I love the culture coach Locks is building and I really enjoy the energy of the players on the team.”
Okoronkwo is rated a three-star prospect and an 87 overall by On3 and the 125th-best linebacker in the country.
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