OKONKWO'S HONOR ROLL
- 2021 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
- 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List
- 2020 & 2021 John Mackey Award Watch List
OKONKWO IN THE NEWS
• Chig Okonkwo wants to be college football’s top tight end. He’s making his case. (Diamondback, November 15, 2021)
• Terps might have strongest sneaker game in college football thanks to Chigoziem Okonkwo’s mysterious hookup (Baltimore Sun, October 28, 2021)
• Don't Call it a Comeback: Chig Okonkwo Returns to the Field (UMTerps.com, September 24, 2021)
• Chig Okonkwo provides a sure hand for Taulia Tagovailoa and Maryland football (Diamondback, September 16, 2021)
• After missing a season with myocarditis, Maryland tight end is back and bringing his mom joy (Washington Post, April 16, 2021)
As a a Senior (2021): Started all 13 games at tight end ... Stood second on team with 52 receptions for 447 yards with a team-best five touchdowns ... Second most receptions by a tight end in program history (Frank Wycheck, 58, 1990) ... Most receiving yards by a Maryland tight end since Vernon Davis had 871 in 2005 ...  Ranked first among all Big Ten tight ends receptions in conference games (41) and second in touchdowns (5) ... Led Terps with five receptions for 36 yards vs. #8 Michigan (11/20) ... 20 receptions over last two games are most by a tight end in Maryland history ... Had second straight fantastic game at #8 Michigan State (11/13), catching eight passes for 112 yards, the most in a game by a Maryland tight end since Vernon Davis had 139 yards at North Carolina (11/12/05), and a career-best two touchdowns, both for a career-long 32 yards ... Posted career day vs. #22 Penn State (11/6), tallying the second-most receptions ever in a game by a Maryland tight end and the most by any Maryland player since DJ Moore in 2017 with a 12 catch, 85 yard day vs. Penn State (11/6); Also caught game tying two-point conversion in early fourth quarter ... Led the Terps with a career-best five receptions for a career-high 56 yards at #7 Ohio State (10/9) ... Caught touchdown in first quarter of game vs. #5 Iowa (10/1), as part of three catch, 23-yard performance ... Tallied four receptions for 44 yards including a 24-yarder vs. Kent State (9/25) ... Scored a touchdown for the second straight week,
catching a two-yard score in the second quarter. Hauled in an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter to put the Terps up 17-7 against West Virginia (9/4)
As a Junior (2020): Sat out for medical reasons.Â
As a Sophomore (2019): Appeared in all 12 games with three starts at tight end/wide receiver ... Second on team with 19 receptions and third on team with 201 yards while catching two touchdowns ... Caught a career best five passes for 43 yards and a touchdown vs. Indiana (10/19) ... Recorded two receptions for 30 yards at Rutgers (10/5) ... Led Maryland with four receptions for 37 yards at Temple (9/14) ... Tallied career-best 45 receiving yards on three receptions vs. #21 Syracuse (9/7) ... Caught second career touchdown in season opener vs. Howard (8/31).
As a Freshman (2018): Appeared in 12 games with four starts ... Rushed three times for 72 yards with three touchdowns and caught six balls for 69 yards and one touchdown ... Tallied a 21-yard grab against Michigan State (11/3) ... Scored first two career touchdowns with a rushing and receiving score against Illinois (10/27) ... Made first career start at Bowling Green (9/8) ... Made collegiate debut against #23 Texas (9/1), making one catch.
Personal: From Powder Springs, Ga. … son of Isloma Okonkwo … has two older sisters … member of the Big Ten's Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition .. enjoys watching anime … earned his degree in Kinesiology ... Pursuing Masters in Technology Entrepreneurship.
Before Maryland: A consensus 3-star recruit across all major recruiting outlets … rated the eighth tight end in the country by ESPN … helped lead Hillgrove to an 8-4 record and a regional championship as a senior … also received offers from Wisconsin, Georgia Tech and Navy … coached by Phillip Ironside.
OKONKWO'SÂ CAREER HIGHS
Receiving Yards - 112 (at #8 Michigan State, 11/13/21)
Receptions - 12 (#22 Penn State, 11/6/21)
Long Reception - 32 (at #8 Michigan State, 11/13/21)
Receiving Touchdowns - 2 (at #8 Michigan State, 11/13/21)
Rushing Yards - 54 (Illinois, 10/27/18)
Rushing Touchdowns - 1 (Illinois, 10/27/18)
