Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

Prospect: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
By Clint Clearwater
NFL Draft Director and Senior Writer
November 6, 2012
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 265 40: 4.67

Strengths:  Good size, long arms.  Has a good base.  Powerful, able to move bigger lineman.  Very good pass rusher.  Uses his hands well (although I would like to see more consistency).  Has potential to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL.  Good technique, quick off the ball and has a high motor.  Able to make huge plays that can change games.  Able to drop into coverage; and although, his hips seem a little tight; I love the experience he has.  Leader.  Shown improvement in his game over the years.

Weaknesses: Needs to be a bigger factor in the running game.  Occasionally lets lineman tie him up with them, needs to learn to disengage. He needs to be more aggressive.  Arrested last spring with safety Kenny Vaccaro for not leaving a pizza parlor but the charges were dropped and they were not suspended for any games.

Summary: Alex Okafor has been having a good season for the Texas Longhorns.  Anyone who watched the West Virginia vs Texas game a couple weeks ago saw Alex Okafor stand out.  Okafor has good size, strength and technique; but above all that I see potential in him.  I believe he’s only going to get better.  He’s got potential to be a terrific DE in the NFL.  Based on what film I have seen from him so far, I would give him a 2^nd round grade.  However if he continues to improve and make big plays he could rise up into the first round this April.

Jan. 5 update.  Alex Okafor is coming off a dominate performance against Oregon St.  He wore out Oregon St’s right tackle all night long.  He displayed great strength, quickness off the ball and a terrific motor.  I still saw moments where he focuses too much on rushing the passer and took himself out of running plays, but overall he had a fantastic game that definitely helped his draft stock.

Draft Projection: Late 1st Round