Post by swoosh on Dec 1, 2011 16:46:47 GMT -5
“The blind pay to see him play.”
The story of Ikechukwu Osuwah.
Bio
Name: Ikechukwu Osuwah
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11’’
Weight: 220 lbs
Number: 24
College: University of Oregon
Hometown: San Diego, California
High School
Osuwah running track in high school.
Osuwah was a track star his first three years in high school. Needless to say, he dominated. That is for a different day though. Helen Boucher, I mean Mrs. Osuwah, didn’t let him play football for fear of injury. Before his senior season, however, the varsity football coach convinced her to let him play by saying, “Your son isn’t going to get hurt, because no one is going to touch him.” The day Osuwah stepped onto the gridiron, he showed flashes of greatness. Halfway through the season, he had just 269 yards, but that was because he often ran backwards. Once he got the rules down and knew what way to run, his stats received some anabolic steroids. He nearly quadrupled his stats in every major category. Osuwah led his team to team to the playoffs for the first time in nine years. They suffered a first round exist, but how can you blame them? Zach Gagnon was their quarterback. Enough with this high school crap.
College
Osuwah running over Rick Ross.
Signing Day: On National Signing Day, it was a three team race (Oregon, USC, and Washington) for Osuwah’s services. Months before, many people believe he was a lock to sign with the University of Southern California Trojans. Although Osuwah never declared the Trojans his favorite, it was a widely known fact that he was an USC fan growing up as a kid. Add that in with the fact that USC was by far the closest school to where he lived made it a common assumption in the recruiting world to think he would end up a Trojan. On National Signing Day, however, he shocked the world by picking an Oregon hat and declaring he would be a Duck. When asked why he picked the Ducks, he talked about their elite facilities, fan base, stadium, location, and offense being a perfect fit for his skill-set. Osuwah also mentioned Lundquist College of Business being a big draw.
Freshman Year: As a freshman, Osuwah did a little bit of everything for the Ducks. Stuck behind a few talented upperclassmen at tailback, he received few carries. What he didn’t get in carries, he made up for with snaps at receiver, mostly in the slot. Osuwah was also the kick and punt return. He finished the year with seven touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving, and four returning), including two in their Rose Bowl victory against Wisconsin.
Sophomore Year: With the upperclassmen graduating, Osuwah was named the starting tailback after the spring game. Two games into the season, however, he suffered an ACL injury that would end his season. Oregon tried to use a medical redshirt on him, but the NCAA denied it.
Junior Year: Osuwah returned from his ACL injury a lot quicker than anticipated and was 100% by the opening game. He didn’t look back. While he was stripped of returning duties due to risk of injury, he made up for those yards rushing. Osuwah finished the year with over 1,900 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Ducks went undefeated and earned a trip to the National Championship against Alabama. Despite Osuwah’s 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Oregon fell short on a game-winning field goal by Alabama. Many people thought he would forego his senior season and turn pro, but that was not the case. Despite winning the Heisman, Osuwah was not satisfied. He wanted to win the National Championship. That’s all he cared about.
Senior Year: Coming into the season, the Ducks were projected to win the National Championship with Osuwah returning. An early loss to Oklahoma, however, in the first week of the season really hurt their chances. The Ducks didn’t quit though. They won out and received some luck, finishing the year ranked #2 in the BCS standings and thus earning a trip back to the National Championship against Alabama. This time, the Ducks won, on a three touchdown night from Osuwah. He didn’t put up the stats he did the year before, but he still finished the season with over 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns.
UFSL
Osuwah (left) and Vader (right) celebrate an Oregon touchdown. The two will reunite in Seattle.
Osuwah declared for the UFSL Draft and was named as a general manager. He took his team to Seattle and named them the Stormtroopers. With the teams first round pick, Osuwah selected fellow Oregon teammate Lord Vader. He signed a three year deal, worth a total of $9M.
Nike
Nike >
Whaaaaaaaaaat? An Oregon Duck athlete signed a deal with Nike? I know, we’re shocked too. The day after announcing he was declaring for the UFSL Draft, Nike announced the signing of Osuwah (who notably had an internship with them after his junior year). It couldn’t have worked out any better for Osuwah. He wore Nike regardless; getting everything for free was just an added bonus.
The Lifestyle
It’s not a haircut. It’s a lifestyle.
Scouting Report
Pros:
I couldn’t have said it any better myself, Sean Astin lookin’ boy.
1.) Speed – This former track star has speed to die for. Give Osuwah an alley and he’s gone. Nobody is catching him in the open field. Nobody. That includes you, Usain Bolt.
2.) Playmaking Ability – Osuwah is a human highlight reel. His runs rival those of Reggie Bush pre-NFL. He can stop on a dime, change directions, and make Dante Hall type jukes. To say he’s fun to watch, well, that would be the understatement of the century. The blind pay to see him play.
3.) Vision – Did I mention Osuwah was psychic? He can actually see the play develop before the snap is made. True story. So I guess you could say he has good vision.
4.) Catching – Having played receiver both in high school and early in his college career, Osuwah is a solid receiver. He has soft hands and is capable of running some routes in the route tree. Osuwah is particularly dangerous in the flats with just one defender in his way.
5.) Work Ethic – Osuwah’s work ethic is second to none. Like the saying goes, he’s the first one on the field and the last one to believe. To him, it’s a lifestyle. He loves everything about the game and will do whatever it takes (short of taking steroids) to get better.
Cons:
“You throw like a girl!”
1.) Carrying – Osuwah has been compared to Adrian Peterson when it comes to carrying the football. He is a hard runner, but often holds the ball too loosely. To improve in this area, the Seattle coaching staff will need to work with him, teaching him to carry the ball high and tight. This is something the Oregon staff didn’t want to mess with, as they felt it could make him more timid when it came to running. At the next level, however, you simply cannot turn the ball over.
2.) Blocking – It’s not necessarily something he is bad at doing - we wouldn’t know. He’s just never done it before. Chip Kelly, when asked why Osuwah was never asked to block, said “Why in the hell would I waste Osuwah’s talents by having him block? When he’s in the game, he’s either going to be getting the ball or used as a decoy. Everybody knows that. Next question.” That about sums it up. Thanks, Chip.
3.) Passing – He tried it once. It wasn’t for him.
4.) Kicking – Don’t get me wrong, Osuwah can get his OchoCinco on. He just needed another “weakness.”
5.) Losing – Osuwah is simply incapable of losing. He refuses to even try it.
The story of Ikechukwu Osuwah.
Bio
Name: Ikechukwu Osuwah
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11’’
Weight: 220 lbs
Number: 24
College: University of Oregon
Hometown: San Diego, California
High School
Osuwah running track in high school.
Osuwah was a track star his first three years in high school. Needless to say, he dominated. That is for a different day though. Helen Boucher, I mean Mrs. Osuwah, didn’t let him play football for fear of injury. Before his senior season, however, the varsity football coach convinced her to let him play by saying, “Your son isn’t going to get hurt, because no one is going to touch him.” The day Osuwah stepped onto the gridiron, he showed flashes of greatness. Halfway through the season, he had just 269 yards, but that was because he often ran backwards. Once he got the rules down and knew what way to run, his stats received some anabolic steroids. He nearly quadrupled his stats in every major category. Osuwah led his team to team to the playoffs for the first time in nine years. They suffered a first round exist, but how can you blame them? Zach Gagnon was their quarterback. Enough with this high school crap.
College
Osuwah running over Rick Ross.
Signing Day: On National Signing Day, it was a three team race (Oregon, USC, and Washington) for Osuwah’s services. Months before, many people believe he was a lock to sign with the University of Southern California Trojans. Although Osuwah never declared the Trojans his favorite, it was a widely known fact that he was an USC fan growing up as a kid. Add that in with the fact that USC was by far the closest school to where he lived made it a common assumption in the recruiting world to think he would end up a Trojan. On National Signing Day, however, he shocked the world by picking an Oregon hat and declaring he would be a Duck. When asked why he picked the Ducks, he talked about their elite facilities, fan base, stadium, location, and offense being a perfect fit for his skill-set. Osuwah also mentioned Lundquist College of Business being a big draw.
Freshman Year: As a freshman, Osuwah did a little bit of everything for the Ducks. Stuck behind a few talented upperclassmen at tailback, he received few carries. What he didn’t get in carries, he made up for with snaps at receiver, mostly in the slot. Osuwah was also the kick and punt return. He finished the year with seven touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving, and four returning), including two in their Rose Bowl victory against Wisconsin.
Sophomore Year: With the upperclassmen graduating, Osuwah was named the starting tailback after the spring game. Two games into the season, however, he suffered an ACL injury that would end his season. Oregon tried to use a medical redshirt on him, but the NCAA denied it.
Junior Year: Osuwah returned from his ACL injury a lot quicker than anticipated and was 100% by the opening game. He didn’t look back. While he was stripped of returning duties due to risk of injury, he made up for those yards rushing. Osuwah finished the year with over 1,900 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Ducks went undefeated and earned a trip to the National Championship against Alabama. Despite Osuwah’s 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Oregon fell short on a game-winning field goal by Alabama. Many people thought he would forego his senior season and turn pro, but that was not the case. Despite winning the Heisman, Osuwah was not satisfied. He wanted to win the National Championship. That’s all he cared about.
Senior Year: Coming into the season, the Ducks were projected to win the National Championship with Osuwah returning. An early loss to Oklahoma, however, in the first week of the season really hurt their chances. The Ducks didn’t quit though. They won out and received some luck, finishing the year ranked #2 in the BCS standings and thus earning a trip back to the National Championship against Alabama. This time, the Ducks won, on a three touchdown night from Osuwah. He didn’t put up the stats he did the year before, but he still finished the season with over 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns.
UFSL
Osuwah (left) and Vader (right) celebrate an Oregon touchdown. The two will reunite in Seattle.
Osuwah declared for the UFSL Draft and was named as a general manager. He took his team to Seattle and named them the Stormtroopers. With the teams first round pick, Osuwah selected fellow Oregon teammate Lord Vader. He signed a three year deal, worth a total of $9M.
Nike
Nike >
Whaaaaaaaaaat? An Oregon Duck athlete signed a deal with Nike? I know, we’re shocked too. The day after announcing he was declaring for the UFSL Draft, Nike announced the signing of Osuwah (who notably had an internship with them after his junior year). It couldn’t have worked out any better for Osuwah. He wore Nike regardless; getting everything for free was just an added bonus.
The Lifestyle
It’s not a haircut. It’s a lifestyle.
Scouting Report
Pros:
I couldn’t have said it any better myself, Sean Astin lookin’ boy.
1.) Speed – This former track star has speed to die for. Give Osuwah an alley and he’s gone. Nobody is catching him in the open field. Nobody. That includes you, Usain Bolt.
2.) Playmaking Ability – Osuwah is a human highlight reel. His runs rival those of Reggie Bush pre-NFL. He can stop on a dime, change directions, and make Dante Hall type jukes. To say he’s fun to watch, well, that would be the understatement of the century. The blind pay to see him play.
3.) Vision – Did I mention Osuwah was psychic? He can actually see the play develop before the snap is made. True story. So I guess you could say he has good vision.
4.) Catching – Having played receiver both in high school and early in his college career, Osuwah is a solid receiver. He has soft hands and is capable of running some routes in the route tree. Osuwah is particularly dangerous in the flats with just one defender in his way.
5.) Work Ethic – Osuwah’s work ethic is second to none. Like the saying goes, he’s the first one on the field and the last one to believe. To him, it’s a lifestyle. He loves everything about the game and will do whatever it takes (short of taking steroids) to get better.
Cons:
“You throw like a girl!”
1.) Carrying – Osuwah has been compared to Adrian Peterson when it comes to carrying the football. He is a hard runner, but often holds the ball too loosely. To improve in this area, the Seattle coaching staff will need to work with him, teaching him to carry the ball high and tight. This is something the Oregon staff didn’t want to mess with, as they felt it could make him more timid when it came to running. At the next level, however, you simply cannot turn the ball over.
2.) Blocking – It’s not necessarily something he is bad at doing - we wouldn’t know. He’s just never done it before. Chip Kelly, when asked why Osuwah was never asked to block, said “Why in the hell would I waste Osuwah’s talents by having him block? When he’s in the game, he’s either going to be getting the ball or used as a decoy. Everybody knows that. Next question.” That about sums it up. Thanks, Chip.
3.) Passing – He tried it once. It wasn’t for him.
4.) Kicking – Don’t get me wrong, Osuwah can get his OchoCinco on. He just needed another “weakness.”
5.) Losing – Osuwah is simply incapable of losing. He refuses to even try it.
