Notre Dame Football All-Decade Team: Defensive End

Julian Okwara (2016-2019)

The younger Okwara is a physical freak with outstanding speed off the edge, and enjoyed a more high profile career while at Notre Dame. He became a regular rotation piece during his sophomore season while playing in 9 games — accounting for 2.5 sacks and 4.5 TFLs. During his junior season, he really took off — not only as a player but as a pro prospect. The numbers didn’t jump off the page with 8 sacks and 12.5 TFLs, but he was constantly in the backfield and the tape spoke for itself. Notre Dame actually tracked him for 21 QB hurries.

He chose to return for his senior year, and while he was productive on paper, many felt he wasn’t the same player despite his freak of nature build and look. Reports in camp were that he looked incredible and it would be hard to find a better looking athlete in college football — and with that he also made the Athletic’s annual “Freaks” list. Unfortunately, he would miss the final 4+ games with a broken fibula. Before that, he would add another 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss — and both led the team for the better portion of the season, even with him sidelined. Even with the injury, many experts have him pegged as a late first round pick and top 40 prospect for the 2020 draft.