Oklahoma Sooners defensive end target Danny Okoye talks with AllSooners about his recruitment.
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00:00 We're here with Danny Akoya from NOAA, Tulsa,
00:03 Northeastern Oklahoma Association of Home Schools.
00:07 Dropped the season open tonight, 62-36 was the final score, but
00:12 you guys actually outscored Kiefer in the second half.
00:14 Tell me about how good that felt.
00:16 >> I mean, at first, we were moving kind of slow.
00:19 It's the first game, we've had a lot of transfers coming into the NOAA program,
00:22 so it's been kind of difficult getting everybody on the same page.
00:26 A lot of different cultures and a lot of different backgrounds coming together.
00:29 So first quarter, I mean, first half, we were sort of still trying to figure out
00:34 how to tackle people we've never faced before as a team.
00:39 We played them last year and they beat us last year, but
00:42 we never played them with this group of players.
00:45 So we were still trying to figure out what we were doing.
00:47 And then second half, we came back and
00:50 I feel like we had a little bit more pep in our step.
00:52 It wasn't enough to, our offense didn't really do what it needed to do to
00:56 surpass their score.
00:57 But I feel like defensively, we kind of clicked and we were able to put a stop.
01:02 >> And you had a couple of big tackles for loss,
01:04 pressures on the quarterback, stuff like that.
01:06 But you really made some plays on offense.
01:08 A 30 yarder, I counted it up, a 20 yarder and a two point conversion.
01:11 How good did that feel?
01:12 >> Man, I mean, I've been really working on my offensive skill set.
01:16 I've been putting a lot of work in on the offseason with Sooner 7 and
01:20 just my own work behind the scenes.
01:23 And I really see it paying off.
01:25 I think I'm definitely gonna be an offensive weapon this year and
01:27 trying to just stay healthy.
01:29 So it's all I can really do.
01:31 >> But none of that feels as good as a 50 yard punt that pins him at the eight yard.
01:34 >> [LAUGH] Hey, I've been working on punting too.
01:37 So I've been working on my little drop, but it's been paying off.
01:43 >> It looks like you're having fun, bottom line.
01:46 Even though that score didn't turn out in your favor?
01:48 >> I mean, these people aren't even in their league.
01:50 They're just players because they're state contenders every year.
01:53 We're good competition and they're good competition for us.
01:57 They make us get better.
01:58 So we did the best we could and I'm pretty happy with what we did.
02:01 I don't feel like we made too many mistakes.
02:03 We just have a couple things to work on.
02:05 >> Now Noah is the defending 2022 National Champions for homeschools.
02:10 >> That's it. >> Tell me what went into that process and
02:12 what that team was like last year.
02:13 >> Last year after our first two games, which were against Kiefer and
02:17 Metro Christian Academy, we went undefeated after that.
02:21 We beat every homeschool team that we went up against and
02:23 then we traveled down to Florida to compete in a national tournament.
02:28 And we beat everybody there as well.
02:30 And Noah was ranked the number one homeschool organization in America.
02:35 And we've kept that title coming into this year.
02:39 Even in the off season, in the preseason, we've played other homeschool contenders
02:44 and have stayed at that number one position.
02:47 And I definitely think we can pull off another natty this year too.
02:51 >> Did that championship motivate you during the summer because you came back
02:54 bigger, stronger, faster?
02:55 >> It definitely did, along with the recruitment that was taking place over
02:59 the summer.
03:00 All these coaches, I mean, kinda being on my tail about bulking up a little bit.
03:04 I was kinda skinny last year and I guess I took what they said kinda seriously.
03:08 So I've been working out, I've been trying to perfect my craft and
03:12 I think it's really gonna show this year.
03:14 >> Most media recruiting services have you ranked number one,
03:17 the overall player in the 2024 class in the state of Oklahoma.
03:21 Says so on your Twitter bio.
03:22 >> Yes, sir. >> Number one in the state.
03:24 How much does that motivate you, knowing that those coaches are out here looking at
03:27 you, watching your film, doing whatever,
03:28 trying to evaluate you, knowing that you've gotta be number one?
03:31 >> I mean, it definitely lets me play with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder.
03:34 I try not to think about it too much cuz the last thing I wanna do is get a big
03:38 head, you know?
03:39 So I usually just try to focus on the game, focus on what I need to do.
03:44 My responsibilities, and I can't really control what everybody else is doing.
03:48 So I just try to focus on my part.
03:51 If I can't do something, then I can't do something.
03:53 But I don't ever wanna be the guy who had an opportunity to make a play and
03:57 didn't do it.
03:58 >> You recently dropped your top six.
04:01 Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, and Colorado.
04:06 Colorado doesn't fit with those in terms of blue buds, but
04:10 they got something going on, obviously.
04:12 They haven't won a national championship in something like 30 some years.
04:14 >> I mean, I really think Colorado has the potential to be a powerhouse,
04:18 especially with what Deion's building over there.
04:20 He's one of the greatest defensive backs in football.
04:24 And it'd be really cool to play under him and be coached by him.
04:27 So that's why I put them in the top six.
04:29 >> Okay, how about those other schools?
04:31 Well, let's start with the SEC schools that are playing SEC football right now.
04:34 What do you like about each one of those?
04:36 Alabama.
04:36 >> Alabama is a NFL prep school.
04:40 Everything that they do there is built for
04:42 taking you to the next level as efficiently as possible.
04:45 I really think if I go there and I work hard, it'll really pay off in the long run.
04:50 >> Okay, LSU.
04:51 >> LSU, I can really see LSU being a national powerhouse here in a couple years.
04:55 They've had some defensive slack just in their recruitment, but
05:00 I definitely see them coming back from that and becoming a hard hitter.
05:05 So that'd be cool.
05:06 >> Tennessee.
05:07 >> Tennessee's been showing the most love.
05:09 Right now it's tied between them and OU, between the love being shown.
05:13 They really just are very detailed in what they want me as,
05:18 not just athletically, but just as a person.
05:21 They know how to develop very well, and they're very big on the personal
05:28 side of football, not just the athletic side, and I can really appreciate that.
05:32 >> I'm told Texas is really, really recruiting you hard.
05:34 >> Yeah, Texas has been the one.
05:37 I just was on a OV down there last month, the month before last.
05:41 Vibes were immaculate.
05:45 Everybody there has a huge smile on their face, and they're so welcoming.
05:50 It was definitely one of my favorite visits by far.
05:52 >> What about Oklahoma?
05:54 I saved Oklahoma for last, cuz we cover Oklahoma, obviously.
05:56 >> Oklahoma just knows how to show love.
05:58 Man, all the coaches there, we're best, we're friends.
06:01 I mean, I have all of their numbers saved.
06:03 I call them on a maybe bi-daily basis.
06:06 I mean, so the connections there, that's a big part of what would,
06:11 the factors that would go into me choosing or making a decision is
06:14 the connection that I have with the coaching staff and
06:16 with the faculty and all of them.
06:19 So I definitely feel that connection with OU.
06:22 >> Sounds like you have a good relationship with Coach Chavis,
06:25 Coach Venables.
06:25 >> Coach Chavis, Coach Bates, Coach Roof, Coach Venables, all of them guys,
06:29 they're my peoples.
06:30 >> What is it that allows you to connect, do you think?
06:32 >> The relatability,
06:33 they take the time to get to know you on a personal level.
06:36 They're very in depth when they're recruiting somebody.
06:40 They're not just recruiting you for what you can do.
06:42 They're recruiting you for who you are.
06:44 And that's a very big, a very big factor to me.
06:49 >> Do you have some leaders or is it just a top six right now and
06:52 you'll name the leaders later?
06:53 >> I'm going on some visits here pretty soon.
06:55 And I'm pretty sure once you see all the visits that I go on,
06:58 you'll be able to figure out who I like more than others.
07:02 >> Official visits coming up?
07:03 >> I got an official visit to OU coming up September 2nd.
07:06 I got another game day visit back to Texas on September 16th.
07:10 And then I'm going back to Tennessee for my OB on September 30th.
07:14 >> Okay, how big are you right now?
07:15 >> Six four and a half, 246.
07:18 >> 246.
07:19 >> Yes, sir.
07:20 >> Biggest you've ever been?
07:21 >> I'm running a four, five, three.
07:23 >> Four, five, three, that's the biggest you've ever been.
07:25 You added weight.
07:26 >> I was like 258 in the off season.
07:28 I lost weight over the summer.
07:30 >> Feel faster?
07:31 >> Yeah.
07:32 >> Four, five, three?
07:32 >> Yes, sir.
07:33 >> Not bad.
07:34 All right. >> I'm trying to get it down to a four,
07:35 four, but we can all hope.
07:37 >> Plenty of time.
07:38 >> Yes, sir.
07:39 >> Danny, thanks.
07:39 >> Yes, sir, no problem, anytime.
07:41 >> Yeah, his athleticism is just off the charts.
07:44 Never seen a kid that can do some of the things that he does.
07:47 And just has the strength, speed,
07:51 everything that kind of goes into being a top prospect for sure.
07:55 >> When people see Noah,
07:56 a lot of people outside of Oklahoma don't know who that is.
07:58 Tell me about how Danny Akoya, a four star prospect,
08:01 number one player in Oklahoma, ended up at Noah.
08:04 >> So we're an all homeschool football team.
08:06 So we've got about 63 kids on our roster that are all homeschoolers with four or
08:11 five that are private schools that don't have athletic programs, but
08:14 almost all homeschoolers.
08:15 So we've really seen a growth a lot since COVID hit.
08:18 We had a lot of kids that were pulled out of school, different things like that.
08:21 And Danny was one of those that came right after that COVID year.
08:25 So this will be his third year with us and he's just really been a good,
08:30 positive, encouraging to his teammates and been just a promoter of the program.
08:36 >> So it's as simple as parents, family want him in homeschool,
08:40 want to homeschool him, and then he wants to play football, so he signs up with Noah.
08:43 >> Yeah, that's about as simple as it gets.
08:46 There's a lot of different styles and ways to homeschool.
08:50 And so in Oklahoma, it's really a homeschool friendly state.
08:54 And so there's all sorts of kids that are making that decision to homeschool.
08:57 And we have a competitive, it wasn't so much tonight,
08:59 it was a pretty rough showing.
09:01 But we won the homeschool national championship last year and
09:03 we still feel like that's completely on the table.
09:06 We have opened up with a couple tough opponents.
09:08 And we got some injuries that really have made us struggle, but
09:12 I think we'll have a great season and a good year.
09:15 >> Now, Danny is going to be an edge rusher in college.
09:18 >> Yes, sir. >> He's the best in the state of Oklahoma,
09:20 he's phenomenal.
09:22 You also had him at wide receiver.
09:23 >> Yes, sir. >> I understand he played a little
09:24 running back early on.
09:26 He's punts for you guys and dropped a couple of 50 yarders inside the ten.
09:30 >> Yeah.
09:31 >> Is there a temptation on your part to say, hey, go play every down,
09:34 every step off the field?
09:35 >> The first year we had him, he actually played right tackle,
09:38 offensive tackle for us.
09:39 So he's played everywhere that we need him to play.
09:42 And sometimes I think to his detriment, cuz we kind of bounce him around so
09:45 much, he doesn't really get a settle in somewhere.
09:47 Of course, on defense, he's a D in.
09:50 We'll bump him in linebacker every once in a while.
09:52 >> Rush the quarterback twice.
09:53 >> Yeah, but on offense, I think we've really settled him in at wide out.
09:57 It really creates some challenges for those corners out there.
10:00 We don't use him too much cuz we gotta keep him fresh on offense.
10:02 And we got some other great receivers as well.
10:04 So yeah, he's been a great weapon for us for sure.
10:08 >> Coach, thanks.