UCLA legacy Osa Odighizuwa looks to forge his own path on gridiron with the Bruins

UCLA football is headed in the right direction under head coach Jim Mora Jr. but a lasting fingerprint from the Rick Neuheisel era remains. Not only his Neuheisel’s son, redshirt junior quarterback Jerry Neuheisel, still on the team but so are a few of his recruits brought to Westwood during his tenure from 2008-2011.

One of Neuheisel’s key recruits was defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa. Owamagbe was a 5-star recruit for the Bruins as part of the 2010 recruiting class. The Douglas High School star from Portland, Oregon just finished his collegiate career earning Second-Team All-Pac-12 honors and was a 2015 third round NFL Draft pick of the New York Giants.

Now another Odighizuwa is making his mark on the high school level and his carving his own path to Westwood, Osa Odighizuwa.

Much like his older brother who was listed at 6’3”, 270 pounds, younger brother Osa is 6’3”, 260 pounds, and is a force to be reckoned with anywhere along the defensive line. Osa is so versatile Douglas head coach Dan Wood lines up his standout player on offense at tight end and at offensive tackle taking advantage of every inch of his athleticism.

Neuheisel’s and Owamagbe’s influence is now paying off for Coach Mora in recruiting circles. Osa verbally committed to the Bruins on May 5 bypassing offers from Boise State and Oregon State while stunting growing interests from in-state power Oregon and Pac-12 stalwart Washington.

Truth be told, Osa’s recruiting ranking and scholarship offers will suffer because of his long existing ties to Westwood and early commitment to the Bruins. Everyone knows he is a hard commitment to UCLA immediately buffering other Division-I programs away from trying to lure him away from the empire Mora is building in Los Angeles. In the process most recruiting services will shy away from giving exposure to someone that will not titillate on a wavering decision to one top program over another. But make no mistake Osa is the real deal.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with the Oregon high school talent to talk about his 2014 season, his offseason workouts, and his commitment to UCLA.

 

Osa, I know the Scots had a tough go of it last year finishing 3-7. What did the team take away from last year’s season to help motivate for the 2015 season?

“The last game we lost, it was the seniors last game. There was a bunch of people crying because the season was over. I looked at my friend and said we’re not going to cry like that at the end of next year. We’re working hard now so we don’t have to go through what they went through last year. We don’t want our season to end early.”

What was your best game last year as a defensive lineman?

“I’m not sure. It would have to be between Reynolds (54-51 win) and Gresham (33-7 loss). Those were the ones where you could really see the improvement from week to week. I think Gresham was probably one of the better ones.”

What made either one of those games stand out to you? What is your stat line or just how you played the position from a technical standpoint?

“It was definitely technique. Reynolds was probably the best game stat wise and with Gresham I felt like I dominated and played with good technique.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last season?

“I was First-Team All-League, I got Defensive Player of the Year in our league, and I got First-Team All-State.”

How does Davison look so far? Do you think the will be a playoff team 2015 season?

“Yeah, definitely. We have a lot of guys coming back. We’ve got good leadership on the team and guys that are willing to work. I think we’ll be good.”

What will be some of the strengths of the football team in 2015?

“Our defense is looking pretty good this year. Our O-line is one of the better ones we’ve had in the last few years. The amount of returning guys that we have. We lost some seniors, but we have guys coming up who are going to be able to fill those spots. I don’t think we’ll have too much of a loss.”

You play all over the field for David Douglas, but primarily you are lined up at defensive tackle or defensive end. What are your strengths on the field on the defensive line?

“I’m more of an explosive power guy off the line. I’m a win the line kind of guy. I don’t think I’ve physically been beat. I like to play physical and explosive those are some of the things college coaches have told me they like about me.”

Sometimes the coaches have you line up at tight end or at offensive tackle, what are your strengths when you block?

“I look at it the same way. They line me up on offense to block and I’m going block someone and take the challenge personally and try to be explosive still.”

Will your role change some next year? Might we see some passes go your way or see you line up in the backfield on short yardage downs?

“I’m not sure. Right now it is looking like more of a fullback thing. I’ve been working on running some routes and working on my hands so they can put me where they need me on offense.”

How are your hands? Would you say you are pretty good at pass catching?

“Not really, that’s why I am working on them. They’re alright. They’re not really that good actually (laughs). I could definitely have some improvement.”

On defense are they going to line you up more at tackle or end this year?

“Primarily I am a defensive tackle but you never know what will happen once the season starts so I like to stay versatile so they can line me up wherever they need me. It’s a worst case scenario kind of thing.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior season?

“I don’t plan it out because we have weightlifting in the summer and other workouts. I just work hard and do what they tell me to do. That’s my plan. I’ll work on basic hand stuff.”

Are you doing any workouts on your own over the summer?

“On my own I like to call up my friends and the offensive linemen so we can work on hand stuff, hand drills, and one-on-ones things like that. (Working on improving my pass rush, hand fighting, and stuff like that. Some other buddies will come and the quarterback we’ll have the guys run routes and stuff like that. Nothing intense, all just basic stuff. All of the intense stuff I do is with the team. When I am with my friends we work on the more technical stuff.”

You mentioned working on your hands and hand placement, hand fighting, and your pass rush, is there anything else that you are working on to improve before your senior season?

“I’ve started stretching a lot. I’m working on unlocking my hips and improving my mobility. My stance is a lot better. My pad level is a lot better because I’ve become more flexible. I’ve gotten stronger because I have a bigger range of motion.”

What is your bench press and squat max?

“My bench press is 295 pounds and my squat is 535 pounds.”

What is your 40-yard dash time?

“4.91.”

Do you play any other sports for Douglas?

“I wrestle.”

How did the season go for you this spring?”

“It was good.”

Did you make state?

“Yeah, I won.”

I like how that was nonchalant, yeah, I won, no big deal. What was your win-loss record?

“I think I was 45-0.”

Impressive! Let’s talk a little bit about recruiting. You have offers from UCLA, Boise State, and Oregon State. Which schools are showing interest in you?

“Oregon and Washington. Since I committed to UCLA everything has slowed down a lot which I don’t really mind.”

When you committed to UCLA on May 5, what influenced you to commit to the Bruins?

“The amount of comfort I felt with the decision, with the program, and the coaching staff. I felt really comfortable. I have a lot of familiarity.”

How many times have you been on an unofficial to UCLA?

“Just once with the coaches but I was there for my brother’s graduation. He gave me a little tour of the locker room and the campus.”

Did your brother have a big influence on you going to UCLA?

“Yeah, I think so. I’m going to go over there and try to make my own name there. Networking and stuff while I’m there, he will be able to help me make it a smooth transition. He went through there pretty smoothly. He’ll be able to help me with some things he struggled with.”

What have the UCLA coaches said they like about your skill set?

“They like that I am explosiveness and athleticism.”

Which position are they recruiting you to play for the Bruins? They run a 3-4 will you stay at end or pack on some weight and move into the middle?

“I don’t know. It depends on where my weight is, if I get a little bit heavier like in the 280 range I might move inside. That’s one of the reasons I want to stay versatile so it will not matter where they put me.”

Do you have a preference about which position you want to play at the next level?

“No, not really, I’m okay playing wherever. I might be a little bit better at tackle.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“Yeah, UCLA’s camp. I’m going to the Nike Opening regional combine in Eugene.”

What is the date of the UCLA camp you will attend?

“June 26.”

What do you plan to major in while at UCLA?

“Engineering.”

What is your favorite part about playing football?

“It’s super fun to do.”

Who has had the biggest impact on your football career?

“Definitely my older brother. He’s paved the way for me and my brothers showing us how good we could be if we worked hard.”

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: associatedwrestlingpress.com; Osa Odighizuwa (left) on his way to an Oregon state championship.

Photo credit: oregonlive.com; Osa pumped up during a match.

Photo credit: 247sports.com; Osa Odighizuwa