Notre Dame Football Exit Interviews: Romeo Okwara

Romeo Okwara will graduate from Notre Dame and take his 2015 team-leading 8 sacks with him. Who will provide a consistent pass rush for the Irish in 2016?

Considering the 2015-2016 college football season has finally come to a close and underclassmen have officially declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, Slap the Sign presents its “Exit Interviews,” where we review the players leaving the program, what they’re leaving behind and taking with them, and how Notre Dame plans on replacing their production and experience.

Romeo Okwara, DE

Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (45) prior to the game against the LSU Tigers in the Music City Bowl at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Production at ND

Romeo Okwara came to Notre Dame in 2012 as an incredibly young (not even 17 years old when he arrived) freshman with oodles of potential. As a freshman, he made strong contributions on special teams and even got some time in a few big games, including at the end of the Oklahoma game, where he recorded his first career tackle-for-loss and forced a fumble on the play. His sophomore season he began to see time on defense more often, and even started against Navy, when he recorded 5 tackles and a share of his first career sack.

His junior year in 2014 saw Romeo starting in 12 of 13 games at defensive end, compiling 39 total tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. By his senior season in 2015, he had developed into a dangerous pass-rushing threat, and started all 13 games en route to making 48 tackles (12 for a loss), a team-leading 8 sacks, 7 QB hurries, and a blocked kick.

What His Departure Means

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Okwara’s departure is another big blow to a defense that’s suffering various huge losses this offseason. Okwara was a strong, experienced, athletic presence who was able to set the edge at defensive end and served as basically the only decent pass rush threat on the team (that is, excluding Sheldon Day’s ability to just wreak havoc up the middle).

The defense will miss him greatly on third down passing situations, as well as within the locker room, where Okwara was a leader and a beloved teammate.

Who Will Step In?

The first shot will likely be given to rising junior Andrew Trumbetti, who has seen sporadic playing time at defensive end the last couple years, flashing some dangerous pass rush ability of his own. With rising senior Isaac Rochell manning one side of the defensive end position, Trumbetti will more than likely start opposite him, giving the Irish a couple of athletic, strong, at-least-somewhat-experienced ends to bookend the defensive line.

Other possible candidates to see playing time in Okwara’s stead include rising junior Jay Hayes and incoming freshman Khalid Kareem. Both possess lots of talent but are inexperienced and unlikely to win a starting nod next season.

Favorite Personal Memory from Player’s Career

Aside from his consistent presence in the Trick Shot Monday videos on YouTube, my favorite personal memory of Okwara has to be this season, during his final game at Notre Dame Stadium, when he made a leaping, flying, scary-as-hell sack of an unsuspecting Wake Forest quarterback. It made me jump out of my seat in a game against Wake Forest, so that has to tell you something about the play’s excitement level.

Next: Exit Interview: Will Fuller

Romeo Okwara came into Notre Dame as a young, raw, athletic prospect who oozed potential. He leaves Notre Dame as a polished pass rusher who will certainly get a shot in the NFL and could make a name for himself if he continues to get to the QB as he did during his senior season. Whatever happens, I wish the best of luck to Romeo and expect that he will do very well for himself in the future.

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