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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

2019 Four-Star LB Osita Ekwonu Recaps Elite Offer Spree

February 1, 2018
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Every prospect dreams of a 24-hour period of an offer spree from Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Virginia. 

Well, it happened for 2019 Providence Day School (N.C.) linebacker Ositadinma Ekwonu‍. 

“The last 24 hours have been pretty crazy,” the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder told Irish Sports Daily. “My recruitment has blown up overnight. It’s been a real blessing.” 

The stream of offers isn’t going to go to the four-star prospect’s head as he is just embracing the new doors that have been opened.

“It really puts things into perspective,” stated Ekwonu. “It’s a great feeling to know I have a lot of options and I’m excited to explore them.” 

Ekwonu went to Irish Invasion last summer and returned for a game this fall with his family. The offer from the Irish was one he had been waiting on and defensive coordinator Clark Lea delivered the news.

“It means a lot to get an offer from a place like Notre Dame,” said Ekwonu. “I’ve had a chance to talk to coach Lea a lot since last summer. I’ve gotten to know him pretty well. I know what the culture and environment at Notre Dame is like too.

“Coach Lea had been talking with my coach when he was on campus. I learned from my coach that I had received the offer.” 

The Irish might have hosted him twice, but Ekwonu also has become friends with defensive end Julian Okwara, as they have a connection outside of being from Charlotte.

“He was actually coached by my current head coach,” stated Ekwonu. “I’ve had the chance to speak with him a little bit. I spoke with him at Irish Invasion too. We’ve texted a little bit, so we have a little bit of a relationship.” 

The Charlotte native had planned out a few unofficial visits in the coming weeks, but Ekwonu will now look to add more visits with the latest offers in hand. 

“The visits I have planned so far are all in-state,” explained Ekwonu. “I was at Chapel Hill last Saturday, and I’ll be at Wake Forest this weekend. I’ll be at Duke in February. 

“I’d like to visit some out of state options, especially Notre Dame.”

While on his visits, the Providence Day School standout will be looking at three factors. 
“Number one is academics,” Ekwonu said. “Football gets you into a great school that will help you throughout the rest of your life. There always needs to be a backup plan if football doesn’t work out. 

“Number two would be a great football program and a good relationship with the coaching staff. Notre Dame has both of those of course. 

“Number three is the overall culture of the school. Going to a game and speaking to the players to see what they have to say about it.” 

Ekwonu will use his unofficial visits to decide which schools he wants to see again, but he is in the process of determining when he will take his official visits. 

“I’m planning officials, but I need to involve my parents in that decision,” said Ekwonu. “As far as a commitment date, I’m not sure. It would most likely be before the beginning of my senior season.”

As a junior, Ekwonu racked up 101 tackles and three sacks, but he also rushed for 500 yards and 13 touchdowns.

 
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