July 1, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Obi Egekeze had not attempted a regular-season kick prior to 2007, yet he enjoyed a breakthrough junior season. The Terrapins' place-kicker converted 17 of 23 field goals and all 36 of his point-after attempts en route to ranking sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in overall scoring. His 73.9 percent career field goal accuracy ranks sixth in school history.

An academic all-conference selection, Egekeze is coming off a 2007 campaign in which he was named the Terps' Top Special Teams Performer. Now entering his final season at Maryland, Egekeze already has earned a bachelor's degree in finance and is pursuing a second degree in international business.

Egekeze sat down with umterps.com on Monday in between workouts at Gossett Team House.

What does it say about the academic success of this team that a number of players already have graduated?

"It just shows that when it comes to academics, a lot of people here are focused on maximizing their time in college, and doing well to be able to graduate early."

Do you believe being a place-kicker requires a unique mental toughness?

"It definitely takes mental toughness. I don't think of it, but everybody always asks, `What does it feel like to have all that pressure on you?' You just have to be built a certain way. It's either you're going to thrive on that pressure or you're not going to do as well because of that pressure. During my time here I'd like to think I've developed a certain mental toughness."

Have you ever made a game-winning kick as time expired at any level of play?

"We haven't had any games yet here where I've been able to do that. I did it once in high school, and it's a great feeling."

You were a three-sport standout in high school. Did you ever consider attempting to play soccer or basketball collegiately?

"I actually wanted to play soccer in college. I was pretty good, but I just didn't get as much college attention for soccer as I did for football. It's definitely tough to earn a full-scholarship playing soccer - you have to be really good."

You hail from August, Ga. Have you ever been able to attend The Masters Golf Tournament?

"I worked The Masters during high school. I did litter pickup. It was the best job there because it's the only one where you get to watch. You get paid for changing trash bags and watching the golf tournament. I got to see Mike Weir win it, I got to see Tiger Woods win it, I got to see Phil Mickelson win it and then I got to see Tiger win it again."

What is it like to be part of a lineage of successful Maryland place-kickers that includes NFL players like Jess Atkinson and Nick Novak?

"It's great because those guys are always helpful and available for any advice I need. I talk to Jess (Atkinson) a lot, I talk to Nick (Novak) and I talk to Dan Ennis as well. They've all helped me throughout my career. They've been through the same things I'm going through, and each of them has their own specific insight that helps to prepare me more."

What would make your senior football season memorable?

"Winning the ACC Championship and playing in the Orange Bowl. As a team, we want to play to our potential and reap the benefits of all our hard work we put in during this off-season because our whole team, we've worked really hard."

- Terps -