First off, how did you get involved in USFL draft?
My agent told me about it – last year I was playing for Tampa Bay but I got injured in the preseason – an ankle sprain and it took me 10 weeks to recover. By December I was good to go but at that time I didn’t hear from any NFL teams.
My agent told me then that the USFL may be a good opportunity for me. I said I was down to showcase what I have to offer, and it happened! The Maulers drafted me and I’m so excited. I’m ready to show them what I’m made of!
Were you surprised to be drafted by the Maulers?
I didn’t know if I’d be drafted and I didn’t know I’d be the first one picked. I didn’t know that would happen.
On the draft day I talked to the coaches and they told me they were excited to have me. I also spoke to the quarterback – Kyle Lauretta. I’m just excited to play – I am pumped to play and make Pittsburgh proud.
Did they tell you anything about what to work on yet?
Not yet – it’s too early yet. They just told me they were excited to have me.
You just started playing football in 2013 correct?
That is right. That’s when I came to America from Nigeria. I grew up playing soccer and basketball. I first though I’d come to America actually to play basketball, but then I switched to football.
Why the switch?
If I was 6’9″ maybe I would have played basketball, but at 6’7″ I didn’t think I was tall enough to play in the NBA. So I switched to football. I like the rough and tough game. I liked aggressive games and wanted to try it out. The coach said “Let’s go.” and I’ve played ever since.
How were you able to learn the game so quickly?
I believe that in this life you can achieve whatever you put your mind and time to – that you can be good at it. With repetition and watching and playing every day, and being excited to learn what to do, I was able to get better.
I was a soccer player first as a kid, and basketball after that. I think that playing a field game like that helped me too – that and asking questions. You can never go wrong asking questions.
How did playing soccer help you as a football player later?
I was a striker – a faster player. Footwork was always so important – you need good footwork to dribble, stop and start and change direction. That has helped a lot with my footwork as an offensive lineman – especially as a big guy. It helps me to move around more quickly.
What was the process that brought you to America?
I came through a scholarship through the Ejike Ugboaja Foundation to Tennessee State University. I was so blessed to be one of the ones chosen. The foundation was started by Ejike Ugboaja – he was the first Nigerian basketball player to be drafted from Nigeria to the NBA. It took him a long time after being drafted to get there. So he started the foundation to help do something for my community.
He started a basketball camp and brought scouts with him confined talent. Most of the scouts were basketball scouts but he brought a few football scouts too. A coach saw me and said he thought I could play football. I thought he was joking. But after the camp I got a call and the scholarship offer. It was like a dream.
In also have a good friend who played basketball at the same college I played at and he’s now playing in Italy.
What does success look like for you this season?
I am just hoping to be the best version of myself I can be. I want to give the quarterback enough time to throw the ball.
Anything you need to work on most?
I think we all need improvement – there isn’t one thing for me. I just need to improve in all areas – in all areas of my technique. My injury set me back so I have to fine tune all of my technique. I just want to be an impactful player and be the best tackle in the league. I do it for the team, but also for myself and my family.
Know any of the players on the roster? Ever been to Pittsburgh?
The only one I know is Terrell Bonds – we played together at Tennessee State. I’ve been to Pittsburgh once when I played for Kansas City and we played them in preseason but I didn’t see much of the city.
Lastly, what should fans know about you that has nothing to do with football?
I love to dance! I’m from Africa – we dance a lot! The little village I’m from – we dance a lot – it’s a cultural thing. You may see me and not look at me like that but it’s on of the things we love to do at home and I love to do it.
I also love Nigerian food and love to cook it too!