NASHVILLE – The Titans selected former Maryland tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo in the fourth round of Saturday's NFL Draft.
Okonkwo, taken with the 143rd overall pick, started all 13 games for the Terrapins in 2021 and he finished second on the team with 52 receptions for 447 yards with a team-best five touchdowns.
"I love it," Okonkwo said after being drafted by the Titans. "Tennessee was talking to me a lot during the pre-draft process, so I knew it was a possibility."
Okonkwo had the second most receptions by a tight end in program history in 2021.
The school's all-time receptions leader for a season is none other than former Titans tight end Frank Wycheck (58, 1990).
"I see his name every day in my meeting rooms," Okonkwo said of Wycheck. "He's on the school's tight ends all-time greats wall."
Okonkwo (6-3, 250), a big and physical tight end, wants to make his mark with the Titans.
In 2021, he was All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection. He said he likes to pattern his game after another former Titans tight end, Jonnu Smith, because of his play style and strength.
He said he once ran a 4.44 in the 40 while training for the combine, which "makes me a dangerous vertical threat down the field, just being able to beat guys with my speed."
"I am very physical, and I am not afraid to stick my head in there," Okonkwo. "I want to be known as a complete player, a complete tight end. Versatility is my No.1 asset, just because I can line up outside, I can line up in the backfield, I can line up in the wing, I can line up with my hand on the dirt, I can run routes, I can block from any position. I feel like versatility is my No.1 thing."
The Titans selected Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo in the fourth round of Saturday's NFL Draft.
Maryland tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, top, tries to leap over Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) and safety Jaquan Brisker during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. Penn State won 31-14. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Maryland tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (9) carries during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Maryland tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo runs with the ball against Penn State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. Penn State won 31-14. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Maryland tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo scores during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Maryland tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, right, rushes past Illinois defensive backs Michael Marchese (42) and Kendall Smith for a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Maryland tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo scores a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in College Park, Md. Maryland won 42-13. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Maryland tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo runs to the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Maryland's Chigoziem Okonkwo, right, and Brian Cobbs celebrate a touchdown against West Virginia in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
