Chigoziem Okonkwo

PRO: The Titans selected Chig Okonkwo ("CHIGG oh-KAHN-kwoh") in the fourth round (143rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft to bring both receiving athleticism and blocking ability to the tight ends unit. The 6-foot-3-inch, 238-pounder tallied 52 receptions as a senior at Maryland, which ranked second in program history for single-season catches by a tight end, behind only Frank Wycheck (58; 1990). The Powder Springs, Ga., native appeared in 37 games with 20 starts over four seasons (2018-21) at Maryland and caught 77 passes for 717 yards and eight touchdowns. Okonkwo also added three carries for 72 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-long rush of 54 yards.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• In 2021, Okonkwo's 52 receptions ranked second-most by a tight end in a single season in Maryland history, behind only Frank Wycheck (58; 1990). Okonkwo's 447 receiving yards were the most by a Terps tight end since Vernon Davis (871; 2005).
• As a senior against Penn State (11/6/21), Okonkwo posted 12 catches, which marked the second-most receptions in a single game by a tight end in school history. The following game, at Michigan State (11/13/21), Okonkwo tallied eight catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns, marking the most receiving yards in a game by a Maryland tight end since Vernon Davis (139 yards at North Carolina, 11/12/05). His career-best two touchdowns both went for a career-long 32 yards.

TITANS TIDBITS:
• Okonkwo's father, Charlton, passed away of a heart attack when Okonkwo was 15. According to his mother, Isioma, who emigrated from Nigeria, "In our culture, the boys, even if they're young or not, they're always considered more important. When my husband passed, the people who came let him know that he's the man and now he has the responsibility to take care of his mom and his sisters." According to Okonkwo, "In our culture, [being] the man in the house is a really big deal. As the only male, I was the one giving my mom support."
• Okonkwo sat out the 2020 season with myocarditis due to COVID.
• He has a cat named Sage.
• Okonkwo and his two sisters played tennis growing up at the encouragement of their father. Okonkwo played from the time he was five or six until he was 12.
• He was a member of the Big Ten's Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition.
• In his free time, Okonkwo enjoys watching anime.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Powder Springs, Ga., native was selected by the Titans in the fourth round (143rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE:
• In four seasons at Maryland (2018-21), Okonkwo appeared in 37 games with 20 starts and tallied 77 receptions for 717 yards and eight touchdowns, and added three carries for 72 yards and three scores, including a career-long rush of 54 yards. Did not play during the 2020 season because of myocarditis due to COVID.

AS A SENIOR (2021), started all 13 games and posted career-high marks with 52 catches for 447 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns. His 52 receptions ranked second-most by a tight end in a single season in Maryland history behind only Frank Wycheck (58; 1990), and his 447 receiving yards were the most by a Terps tight end since Vernon Davis (871; 2005).
• At Penn State (11/6), recorded 12 catches for 85 yards, which marked the second-most receptions in a single game by a tight end in school history.
• At Michigan State (11/13), caught eight passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving yards marked the most receiving yards in a game by a Maryland tight end since Vernon Davis (139 yards at North Carolina, 11/12/05), and his career-best two touchdowns both went for a career-long 32 yards.

AS A JUNIOR (2020), sat out the season with myocarditis due to COVID.

AS A SOPHOMORE (2019), appeared in all 12 games with three starts and tallied 19 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Ranked second on the squad in receptions and third on the team in receiving yards.
• Against Indiana (10/19), caught a then-career-best five passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.

AS A FRESHMAN (2018), saw action in 12 contests and made four starts. Amassed six catches for 69 yards and a score, and rushed three times for 72 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-long rush of 54 yards.
• Against Illinois (10/27), caught one 25-yard touchdown and rushed for a career-long 54-yard score.
• Graduated from Maryland in May 2021 with a degree in kinesiology and also pursued a graduate degree in technology entrepreneurship.

PERSONAL:
• Attended Hillgrove (Ga.) High School where he was a consensus three-star recruit.
• Also competed in basketball and track and field (triple jump).
• He has two older sisters.
• Son of the late Charlton and Isioma Okonkwo.
• Follow Okonkwo on Instagram @Chig and on Twitter @ChigTweets.
• Born Chigoziem Charlton Okonkwo on Sept. 8, 1999 in Powder Springs, Ga.