Daniel Okpoko
{{short description|Nigerian-Canadian football player (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox CFL biography
|name=Daniel Okpoko
|team=Ottawa Redblacks
|image=2024, 92, Daniel Okpoko.jpg
|caption=Okpoko with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024
|status=Active
|import=no
|position1=Defensive tackle
|birth_date={{birth date and age|2000|5|25}}
|birth_place=Lagos, Nigeria
|number=92
|college=San Diego State
|high_school=St. Joseph (Saskatoon, SK)
|height_ft=6
|height_in=4
|weight_lbs=277
|CFLDraftedYear=2024
|CFLDraftedRound=2
|CFLDraftedPick=11
|CFLDraftedTeam=Ottawa Redblacks
|playing_years1={{CFL Year|2024}}–present
|playing_team1=Ottawa Redblacks
|career_highlights=
|CFL=daniel-okpoko
}}
Daniel Okpoko (born May 25, 2000) is a Nigerian-Canadian professional football defensive lineman for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at San Diego State.
Early life
Okpoko was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He moved to Saskatoon when he was 11 years old.{{cite web | url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/big-goals-redblacks-pick-wants-cfls-top-rookie-award-to-start-long-and-successful-career | title=BIG GOALS: Redblacks pick wants CFL's top rookie award to start 'long and successful' career | publisher=ottawacitizen.com | date=May 1, 2024 | accessdate=18 August 2024 | author=Brennan, Don}} He played high school football at St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon. Okpoko recorded 8.5 sacks during the 2016 season. He participated in basketball and track in high school as well. Okpoko was also a member of the Football Canada U18 national team.{{cite web | url=https://goaztecs.com/sports/football/roster/season/2018/player/daniel-okpoko | title=Daniel Okpoko | publisher=goaztecs.com | accessdate=18 August 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/college/group-five/mountain-west/san-diego-state-defensive-end-daniel-okpoko-invited-to-cfl-combine | title=San Diego State Defensive End Daniel Okpoko Invited To CFL Combine | publisher=si.com | date=March 4, 2024 | accessdate=18 August 2024 | author=Londergan, Joe}}
College career
Okpoko played for the San Diego State Aztecs from 2019 to 2023.{{cite web | url=https://athlonsports.com/cfl/nation/news/daniel-okpoko-returns-to-canada-full-circle-moment-in-next-chapter-of-football-career | title=Daniel Okpoko Returns to Canada for "Full Circle" Moment in Next Chapter of Football Career | publisher=athlonsports.com | date=April 3, 2024 | accessdate=18 August 2024 | author=Miller, Anthony}} He was redshirted in 2018. He only played in one game in 2019, and recorded no statistics. Okpoko only appeared in one game during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, recording no statistics. He appeared in 11 games during the 2021 season, totaling three tackles and one pass breakup. He played in 12 games in 2022, accumulating nine tackles and one sack. Okpoko started all 12 games during his sixth year of college football in 2023, recording 23 tackles, two sacks, and three pass breakups.
Professional career
Okpoko was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the second round, with the 11th overall pick, of the 2024 CFL draft. He officially signed with the team on May 6, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/cfl/ottawa-redblacks/transactions | title=Ottawa RedBlacks Transactions | publisher=Footballdb.com | accessdate=18 August 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://3downnation.com/2024/05/07/ottawa-redblacks-sign-six-from-cfl-draft-including-second-rounder-daniel-okpoko/ | title=Ottawa Redblacks sign six from CFL draft, including second-rounder Daniel Okpoko | publisher=3downnation.com | date=May 7, 2024 | accessdate=18 August 2024}}
Personal life
Okpoko is cousins with football player Israel Idonije.{{cite web | url=https://3downnation.com/2024/04/20/2024-cfl-draft-profiles-san-diego-state-dl-daniel-okpoko-found-his-saskatchewan-identity-in-football/ | title=2024 CFL Draft profiles: San Diego State DL Daniel Okpoko found his Saskatchewan identity in football | publisher=3downnation.com | date=April 20, 2024 | accessdate=18 August 2024 | author=Abbott, JC}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/players/daniel-okpoko/168784/ Ottawa Redblacks bio]
{{Ottawa Redblacks roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Okpoko, Daniel}}
Category:American football defensive linemen
Category:Canadian football defensive linemen
Category:San Diego State Aztecs football players
Category:Ottawa Redblacks players
Category:Players of American football from Saskatchewan
Category:Players of Canadian football from Saskatchewan
Category:Players of American football from Lagos
Category:Sportspeople from Saskatoon
Category:Nigerian players of American football