Nigerian DL Basil Chijioke 'CJ' Okoye was one of Africa's most talented prospects in the 2023 International Player Pathway (IPP) class, but admitted that he had to play catch-up in order to earn his allocation to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Okoye was one of six Nigerian players selected to NFL teams from this year's class, joined by Roy Mbaeteka (Chicago Bears), Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick (Kansas City Chiefs), Kenneth Odumegwu (Green Bay Packers), David Ebuka Agoha (Las Vegas Raiders), and Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi (Denver Broncos).
The 21-year-old, who only started playing football three years ago, said that after he made it through October's NFL Combine in London, he started working out extra ahead of relocating to Florida in January.