High School and College Career

Eyabi Okie from St. Frances Academy High School, was a 5-star recruit before committing to the University of Alabama. As a freshman in 2018, Okie saw action in 11 games and played a total of 90 snaps for the Crimson Tide. He recorded 6 tackles and 4 total pressures as a pass rusher. Specifically, he amassed 3 QB hurries, one QB hit, and zero sacks.

Despite Okie’s promising start, he decided to transfer to the University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) after the 2018 season. As a sophomore for the Skyhawks in 2021, Okie played in 12 games and took part in 308 snaps, recording 18 tackles, 15 total pressures, 6 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 7 sacks.

Following his successful season at UT Martin, Okie transferred again, this time to the University of Michigan, where he joined the Wolverines as a junior in 2022. In his first season with the Wolverines, Okie played in all 13 games and participated in 281 snaps. He recorded 7 tackles, 23 total pressures, 16 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and 4 sacks throughout the year.

Eyabi Okie Scouting Report Introduction

Eyabi Okie is a promising football player, known for his impressive speed and agility. He has proven to be an effective pass rusher, using his closing speed to quickly reach and stop opposing quarterbacks from escaping the pocket. His ability to reach passers from the blind side or up the middle shows his keen awareness and his ability to read offensive plays well.

However, Okie is not just a one-dimensional player. Apart from his pass rushing abilities, he also showcases his versatility on defense. His fluidity and speed enable him to cover large areas of the field when dropping back into a zone defense. Furthermore, he can effectively track tight ends, demonstrating his capability to turn and run with them.

The combination of Okie’s speed and his physicality on the field makes him a versatile and resilient defender.

Strengths

Okie’s impressive speed stands out, which allows him to chase down opponents. This agility undoubtedly gives Okie an edge, allowing him to keep up with even the fastest of players on the field and allows him to hold up well in spaces when dropping into coverage.

Okie’s ability to hold his own out of the box is another area in which he excels. He spends a lot of time outside the box in coverage, where his strength is a crucial asset. Even when defending against larger tight ends and linemen, Okie is able to hold his own. Okie covers a lot of area in zone coverage, meaning he can quickly move around and respond to any threat that may arise. Furthermore, his long frame is an excellent tool for defending passes, as it enables him to reach farther and deny the opponent valuable yardage.

Lastly, Okie’s athleticism is something that cannot be overlooked. Even when it comes to his frame, Okie is an exceptional athlete, moving effortlessly despite his size.
All things considered, it’s clear that Eyabi Okie is an incredibly valuable player in the world of football. With his impressive combination of speed, athleticism, and strength, he’s able to excel in various areas of the game, making him a formidable opponent for any team he faces. Whether defending against even the most significant of tight ends or moving effortlessly in coverage, Okie is an invaluable asset to any team in need of a skilled and dedicated defender.

Weaknesses

Okie plays too high when trying to set the edge. Playing high can lead to a lack of balance and stability and leave an opening for the opponent to take advantage of.

Secondly, Okie’s motor is inconsistent. This will certainly hinder his draft stock in the eyes of some teams.

Moreover, it has been noted that Okie is more likely to make plays with quick reactions than by diagnosing. Teams will question his commitment to his craft as he should be able to better diagnose through coaching and film.

Okie doesn’t play with tenacity. Even on a play where he has a high motor, there’s an aggression that’s lacking.

Okie has trouble disengaging when an offensive lineman can get his hands on him. At the NFL level, he will have to deal with linemen with incredible length and won’t be able to use his own length as a huge advantage any longer. Lineman will get their hands on him and he needs to be able to still be active in a play in which that happens.

Eyabi Okie is the 177th prospect on our draft big board.