Okwara And Notre Dame Focused On Focus

Notre Dame defensive end Julian Okwara kept it simple on Wednesday night as the No. 4 Irish prepare for a road game at Northwestern. 

The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder believed the Irish weren’t focused heading into November a year ago, and it has the attention of the team as the calendar flips to the final month of the season. 

“We learned we needed to take it one game at a time,” stated Okwara. “We’re focused on Northwestern and going in there to do our job. Then we can come back and focus on what’s next.” 

Notre Dame will get a tough test from the Wildcats as they have won 12 of its last 13 Big Ten games and Okwara knows winning starts early in the week.

“We’re more focused on what’s ahead of us and the next day,” Okwara said. “We’re focused on Northwestern and the next practice to get better.” 

Head coach Brian Kelly has laid out what the Irish need to do to have a successful November, and the Irish are following his lead.

“Everyone has to last in November,” Okwara said. “I think we have to focus on taking each game one at a time. We have to trust the process, and we’re on the right path.” 

Okwara is having a breakout season for the Irish as he has recorded 2.5 sacks, which seems like more as he is approaching 20 hurries on the season. 


The Charlotte native admitted it was a little annoying, but Okwara was also pleased with the defensive line’s ability to disrupt the quarterback. 

“It’s definitely frustrating,” laughed Okwara. “We’re doing our job, and as long as someone is getting pressure or a sack to get the win, we’re pretty satisfied with that.”

Experience has been a significant part of Okwara’s growth, but it’s also due to finally putting on good weight. According to Okwara, he arrived as a  freshman around 215-220 pounds and now he’s seeing the benefit of being 20-25 pounds heavier. 

“I’m 240 right now,” stated Okwara. “I definitely see myself getting up to 250, and that’s my personal goal. 

“I feel the change. I feel myself getting stronger in the weight room and being able to squat and bench more. It translates to the field and lets me do my job.” 

As for the College Football Playoff, Okwara didn’t even realize the rankings had come out on Tuesday night. 

“I didn’t even know that,” said Okwara. “I was watching Spongebob. I went to bed at like 8 watching Spongebob.”