By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor’s pursuit of more defensive line help for the 2022 class continues into the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
This one finds the staff pursuing Rowlett defensive end Michael Ibukun-Okeyode. The length is there at 6-5. The weight at 220 isn’t the issue but offers the potential for either Baylor or any other program to step in and mold Ibukun-Okeydoe into how he would fit.
And the other good news is that he has another season to play high school football and develop and grow. So that story has a little time before it fills out…if you will.
“I think Baylor is a great school,’’ Ibukun-Okeyode said. “Coach [Joey] McGuire, Coach James Blanchard, coach [head coach Dave] Aranda those are the coaches I’ve talked to the most. They all seem very cool and welcoming.’’
What the Rowlett coaches wanted to do with Ibukun-Okeyode throughout 2020 was use him at every spot across their 4-man front. Whether it was on the inside at defensive tackle or rushing from the edge, it didn’t matter.
There’s probably a two-fold reason for that. First, the staff wanted to take advantage of matchups and put him in down and distance scenarios where he would be the most effective. Second, you could call it a bit of a showcase. When Division I programs see his film, they can evaluate the versatility.
And there is some payoff. Baylor is one of 10 D1 offers. The most notable are Oklahoma State, Colorado, Arizona State and SMU.
“The coaches have talked about my pass rushing skills and how I play in space,’’ he said. “I appreciate that because I’ve worked on my pass rush and to know where to be in space. One thing I still need to work on is my rush defense.’’
Well the pass rush part is something to examine. In a limited to six games, Ibukun-Okeyode still managed to collect 8.5 sacks. He also put the height to use by blocking a field goal. Rowlett did not make the Class 6A Division II playoffs and finished at 4-2.
“My main focus right now [in the offseason] is to work on my strength and moves,’’ Ibukun-Okeyode said. “I just want to get to know more about the coaches and the campus and things of that sort.’’
A 3-star prospect with a 5.6 rating, Ibukun-Okeyode is the No. 69 player for 2022 in Texas rated by Rivals.
Publisher
Baylor’s pursuit of more defensive line help for the 2022 class continues into the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
This one finds the staff pursuing Rowlett defensive end Michael Ibukun-Okeyode. The length is there at 6-5. The weight at 220 isn’t the issue but offers the potential for either Baylor or any other program to step in and mold Ibukun-Okeydoe into how he would fit.
And the other good news is that he has another season to play high school football and develop and grow. So that story has a little time before it fills out…if you will.
“I think Baylor is a great school,’’ Ibukun-Okeyode said. “Coach [Joey] McGuire, Coach James Blanchard, coach [head coach Dave] Aranda those are the coaches I’ve talked to the most. They all seem very cool and welcoming.’’
What the Rowlett coaches wanted to do with Ibukun-Okeyode throughout 2020 was use him at every spot across their 4-man front. Whether it was on the inside at defensive tackle or rushing from the edge, it didn’t matter.
There’s probably a two-fold reason for that. First, the staff wanted to take advantage of matchups and put him in down and distance scenarios where he would be the most effective. Second, you could call it a bit of a showcase. When Division I programs see his film, they can evaluate the versatility.
And there is some payoff. Baylor is one of 10 D1 offers. The most notable are Oklahoma State, Colorado, Arizona State and SMU.
“The coaches have talked about my pass rushing skills and how I play in space,’’ he said. “I appreciate that because I’ve worked on my pass rush and to know where to be in space. One thing I still need to work on is my rush defense.’’
Well the pass rush part is something to examine. In a limited to six games, Ibukun-Okeyode still managed to collect 8.5 sacks. He also put the height to use by blocking a field goal. Rowlett did not make the Class 6A Division II playoffs and finished at 4-2.
“My main focus right now [in the offseason] is to work on my strength and moves,’’ Ibukun-Okeyode said. “I just want to get to know more about the coaches and the campus and things of that sort.’’
A 3-star prospect with a 5.6 rating, Ibukun-Okeyode is the No. 69 player for 2022 in Texas rated by Rivals.
