After choosing Alabama over South Carolina in July 2023, linebacker Justin Okoronkwo committed to the Gamecocks on Friday. Okoronkwo entered the transfer portal after playing in Alabama’s 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve. The German native committed to the Crimson Tide in July 2023, bypassing offers from South Carolina, Michigan, Penn State and Nebraska, among others. Okoronkwo played his lone season in Tuscaloosa under new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, compiling 14 tackles (0.5 for loss) in 13 games. South Carolina finished 9-4 this season but lost key defensive players and is hoping Okoronkwo and other transfers can bolster the unit. –Field Level Media
After choosing Alabama over South Carolina in July 2023, linebacker Justin Okoronkwo committed to the Gamecocks on Friday. Okoronkwo entered the transfer portal after playing in Alabama’s 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
One of the top junior college players in the 2023 recruiting cycle … a unanimous four-star recruit who is also considered the second-ranked junior college recruit by all major outlets … No. 2 on the 247Composite and the No. 1 JUCO linebacker … the On3 Consensus ranked him second overall and as the No. 1 JUCO linebacker … PrepStar Magazine ranked Jefferson as the No. 2 overall JUCO recruit, the No. 1 linebacker and No. 1 player in Kansas … recorded 86 tackles as a sophomore for head coach Seth Smith at Pearl River C.C. in 2022 … added two sacks and an interception … made 57 stops in his freshman campaign with 13 tackles for loss and three sacks … played for head coach Waldon Tucker at Bartlett High School in Memphis, Tenn., prior to arriving at Pearl River C.C. … as a senior at Bartlett, recorded 116 tackles, including 74 solo stops and two interceptions … chose Alabama over Auburn, Florida, Oregon and Texas A&M.
