The father and namesake of Albert Chukwueneka Okwuegbunam (pronounced O-coo-WAY-boo-nham) moved to America from Nigeria when he was 19 years old. At the same age, his son was bullying SEC defenders as an all-conference tight end. As a redshirt freshman in 2017, "Chuks" was a second-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman team pick after scoring 11 times on 29 catches that covered 415 yards (14.3 per). He started the first nine games of his sophomore season, catching 43 passes for 466 yards (10.8) and six touchdowns, but missed the final four contests with a shoulder injury. Okwuegbunam started nine of 11 games played in 2019, missing some time again due to a shoulder injury. He still garnered second-team All-SEC notice, however, by scoring a team-high six receiving touchdowns on the year (26-306-11.8). Okwuegbunam redshirted in 2016 to add weight to his growing frame after excelling at Sacred Heart Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois.

Overview

Okwuegbunam will force evaluators into deciding priorities as his pros and cons list is fairly polarizing. His routes are raw and inefficient. He isn't difficult to cover when he's asked to gather and break, but he has speed to separate on over routes and seam attacks when he opens and goes. His ability to win with the ball in the air -- especially in the end zone is outstanding. He's not a physical blocker and is better suited as a move tight end. Scouts question his overall toughness as a player, but the potential is very high, which makes him a classic boom-or-bust prospect.

Strengths

• Good combination of size and speed
• Flashed some intentional tempo change in routes
• Speed to separate on over routes and after catch
• Adequate hands as pass-catcher
• Wide frame provides shield for contested catches
• Ball skills are impressive
• Outstanding ability to win in the end zone
• Scores a touchdown once every 4.2 catches
• Leaps, twists and lays out to make circus catch
• Size and strength to improve as a blocker
• Hands inside and hips rolled on kick-out blocks