This Christian May Make Lions : Running Back Christian Okoye Draws Pro Scouts to Azusa Pacific

It’s a typical week at Azusa Pacific University, which means there is a steady stream of National Football League scouts on campus.

On Monday it’s the Minnesota Vikings. On Tuesday there’s one from the New England Patriots. A representative from the Raiders visits Wednesday. Then it’s the Washington Redskins the next day.

Coach Jim Milhon said he has heard from scouts of all 28 NFL teams and that 24 have visited at least once during the season.

They are all coming to get a glimpse of running back Christian Okoye, a man who had never seen, much less carried, a football until 1982.

He seems to be a quick study. “When pro scouts take a look at our films they don’t have to ask, “ ‘Which one is he?’ ” Milhon said.

At 6 feet 3 inches and 255 pounds, the 24-year-old senior’s strapping frame with bulging muscles would be difficult to mistake. After all, not every college football player can bench-press 405 pounds and squat-lift 725.

But it is not simply Okoye’s strength that has impressed the scouts. A world-class discus thrower, Okoye also runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds.

That helps explain how it has taken Okoye fewer than three seasons to break virtually all single-season and career rushing and scoring records at Azusa Pacific.

He holds career records of 3,321 yards and 31 touchdowns rushing in 500 carries, an average of 6.6 yards a carry.

With his 218-yard effort in last week’s 17-14 loss to UC Santa Barbara, Okoye also broke his own single-season school record for yards rushing.

In eight games this season, Okoye has run for 1,432 yards and 18 touchdowns in 207 carries and has led the Cougars to a 5-1-2 record. He leads the NAIA Division II in rushing and scoring.

Understandably, Milhon says Okoye has meant all the difference in the world to Azusa Pacific’s program.

“He has changed many aspects about the way teams play us,” Milhon said. “They can see as soon as he walks on the field that he is no ordinary player. Just watch (their reaction) when he takes a handoff.

“Because teams key on him so much, he makes our handoffs and misdirections to other players so much more effective. He has also helped our passing game in a similar way.”

His success is even more impressive, considering Okoye’s limited experience. He has played in only 25 games, all in the last three years.

Okoye, born and raised in Enugu, Nigeria, had never set eyes on a football when he arrived at Azusa Pacific on a track and field scholarship in 1982.

At first Okoye concentrated on the discus, shot put and hammer throw. He has led the Cougars to the NAIA track and field title the last four years while developing into one of the better discus throwers in the world.

But after playing pick-up games at school, Okoye decided to try varsity football in 1984. It did not take him long to establish himself.

Despite his limited knowledge of the game, Okoye rushed for 534 yards in 88 carries in 1984. He improved dramatically to a school-record 1,355 yards in 205 carries last season.

“When I started I didn’t know what to expect,” the soft-spoken Okoye said in his British accent. “It was a new game to me and I was just taking it one step at a time.

“The first year I started playing, I tended to be nervous and not very sure of myself, and last year, when the season was over, I was hoping I could still play.”

Because of NAIA eligibility rules, Okoye originally thought he had played his final football game for Azusa Pacific after last season. He has already competed in track for the allowable four years. But he was excited to learn that he had another year of football eligibility remaining.

“When I found out I had another year to play and I hadn’t graduated, I figured it would be a good thing to do,” Okoye said. “I thought another year would help me because I haven’t played very much.”

The additional year of eligibility has given Okoye an extra season to complete his transformation from raw athlete to pro prospect.

Milhon said that Okoye’s improvement from 1984 to now has been difficult to believe.

“I try not to be overzealous about the improvement but it has been remarkable,” Milhon said. “He has always been a physically imposing athlete, but there were times when he missed the holes or didn’t read his blocks.”

Milhon added that Okoye has improved in most other facets of the game, too.

“I think from watching other people, he has learned little tricks,” the coach said. “One is to use his other arm to combat defenders better and to catch himself when he stumbles.

“His biggest improvement is his ability to catch the ball. In last night’s practice, for example, I don’t think he dropped a ball.”

Milhon said the improvement has been largely the result of Okoye’s hard work.

Okoye said: “I feel that I am learning something new every day. In practice, I try not to fumble or not drop a pass the whole day and that’s helping a lot.”

Of course, the more Okoye has improved, the more attention he has received from scouts and opponents.

Most foes key on Okoye, but it does not appear to be working, since he has rushed for more than 200 yards in each of his last three games.

“When teams key on me, I just try to concentrate more because if I don’t it’s not going to accomplish our goals,” Okoye said.

A few teams have also tried to distract Okoye by taunting him on the field. But that hasn’t worked either. “They say things like, ‘He can’t run the ball well.’ Some people just look at my face and scream at me,” he said.

“It has happened, but Coach Milhon told me from the beginning to expect that, so I just try to forget it.”

Okoye doesn’t mind the attention he has received from scouts.

“They just follow me around and watch me,” he said. “They ask me things like how big I am, how fast I run and am I feeling OK. Usually they just tell me to keep up the good work.”

That has not been a problem. Milhon said Okoye is easy to work with and eager to improve.

“For me, as a coach, he’s a once-in-a-lifetime athlete,” Milhon said. “I don’t know how we could’ve found an easier personality to coach. He’s just about the most coachable person I’ve ever worked with.”

Milhon is hoping that will help Okoye succeed at the pro level.

“I look at pro athletes and I say physically he’s a superior athlete,” he said. “If (a pro team) works with him and he continues to improve, he can play pro ball. He hasn’t played at the Pac-10 level, so people say he has to prove himself at a higher level.”

With that in mind, Milhon is hoping that Okoye will be invited to a postseason all-star game with major-college players.

Despite his inexperience, Okoye is expected to be selected in the NFL draft next year. How high is another question.

“People ask me if I think he’ll be a first-round draft choice and I say no,” Milhon said. “Because of his inexperience I’d say he will go a little later in the draft. But you never know. Some team may look at him, see his potential and decide to roll the dice.”

A lot of people believe that gamble would pay off.