Eyabi Okie Press Conference on Michigan Insider
October 4th, 2022 at 11:46 PM ^
He really seems to have it together. I think we are far from seeing his ceiling.
He took the looooong route, but I'm glad he finally found his way here.
October 4th, 2022 at 11:58 PM ^
Seems like a good kid who found his way and is now a fit for Michigan
October 5th, 2022 at 6:40 AM ^
A young man who still looks to his grandmother for advice.
October 5th, 2022 at 2:07 PM ^
Grandma's are awesome.
October 5th, 2022 at 10:22 AM ^
At the risk of sounding like homer, this is why parents should send their kids to Michigan over some football factory like Alabama where they're just not gonna spend the time on a player as a person and student.
October 5th, 2022 at 12:00 AM ^
The best stories are the ones that start out "bad" but end up good.
October 5th, 2022 at 8:36 AM ^
I always have tremendous respect for people who made big mistakes in their lives but then had the humility and resolve to change their lives and change their direction. My SIL is one of those people I have tremendous respect for who made big mistakes and had to make big changes - heroin addict for many years and has now been drug free for 8 years. She had a really tough road and had to make substantial changes in her life - asking for help, going to group meetings religiously, divorcing her husband (who was also using).
I'm not equating Okie's situation to hers - but I'm saying that people who have been through real adversity and have done the really hard work of making changes and being humble enough to know that they can't do it alone and need help - those people become powerful forces in life. It's good to hear that Okie is listening to his grandmother's good advice and relying on people who have more wisdom than he does. It's a good sign that he has matured and grown as a man. I'm pulling hard for him to keep it up and I think being a part of Harbaugh's Michigan Football program will be excellent for him.
October 5th, 2022 at 9:24 AM ^
What a great story and comment. No tears here.
October 5th, 2022 at 10:26 AM ^
Who is chopping onions?!
October 5th, 2022 at 9:40 AM ^
It takes a lot to admit your mistakes, find guidance, and improve yourself. I hope he stays on this path and makes the most of it
October 5th, 2022 at 12:04 AM ^
He definitely provided a spark when we needed it most. Hope to see him more often.
October 5th, 2022 at 12:09 AM ^
After Ojabo, rapid development from Okie would be a good selling point to any potential transfers in the future. Let's hope he continues to get better in the run game as well as his pass rush.
October 5th, 2022 at 12:48 AM ^
Seems like Okie should have gone to Oklahoma but I'm glad we have him here.
October 5th, 2022 at 12:50 AM ^
Watching him on Saturday, I just kept thinking "yup, that's what it looks like". The arm length, the bend, the speed. No questions as to why he was a 5* prospect.
October 5th, 2022 at 6:35 AM ^
His speed just POPS when he is on the field. Def hoping to see more reps from him.
October 5th, 2022 at 12:51 AM ^
When you have a plus locker room like the kids Michigan recruits and develops quite often everyone wants to live up to the expectations being set.
October 5th, 2022 at 12:52 AM ^
O-ja-bo!
would love to see a close out sack at OSU this year with Gus Johnson bellowing…
E-Ya-Bi !
October 5th, 2022 at 4:39 AM ^
Gus might even give it an Ey-Yabi-Okie.
But either way, I'm on board.
October 5th, 2022 at 8:25 AM ^
According to his official profile, the E in Eyabi is silent (YAH-bee). But if he gets an Ojabo-like close-out sack against OSU, Gus can say it any way he likes!
October 5th, 2022 at 8:58 AM ^
I’m still waiting for the O-KIE DO-KEE call
October 5th, 2022 at 9:07 PM ^
"And he just gave him the old OKIE DOKE!!"
October 5th, 2022 at 12:59 AM ^
Really glad it's working out for him. Keep ascending! We need him against the Death Star. Hoping for lots of Eyabi and lots of snow to make Stroud's day hell.
October 5th, 2022 at 1:01 AM ^
Yeah wow. I saw this and was incredibly impressed with this kid. Great character and wisdom beyond his years. Kudos to his family and support network as well. Glad he's Blue.
October 5th, 2022 at 4:59 AM ^
We’re playing with house money already, I didn’t expect much from Okie and he’s gonna be a terror come The Game.
October 5th, 2022 at 6:43 AM ^
The talent is definitely there, and that has shown up in his pass rushing ability. More time in the program, and more time on the field will lead to him becoming a more complete player. I think he ends up being our main Weakside Edge sooner rather than later
October 5th, 2022 at 7:06 AM ^
Wait so he isn’t a locker room cancer like everyone made him out to be in the summer? Almost like Harbaugh and biff poggi aren’t stupid.
October 5th, 2022 at 10:09 AM ^
I think people were right to be concerned about bringing in a guy twice kicked out of one other program (one of which was reportedly for threatening violence toward the head coach). I'm glad Eyabi seems to have grown though. Who didn't do a lot of growing up between 18 and 22.
October 5th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
I was not concerned at all.
No way Harbaugh would bring him in and have his presence wreck the teams culture and lockerroom. So, whilst nothing is guaranteed..I trust the guy who's livelihood is on the line 1000x more than random internet fans.
So..the potential far outweighed the risk from my pov.
October 5th, 2022 at 7:25 AM ^
I know we are destined to get screwed at some point because of course BPONE, but it has been nice and almost a weird feeling lately with things kind of going our way. Who would have thought that not only would we get a former 5-star transfer into our school but also get one that seems to have great potential as this season rolls on. I was also thinking about this in the Iowa game when each call kept going our way. Whether the call was justified or not, we are just not used to the majority of them going our way. I am excited to watch this team continue to develop and hopefully experience the fortunate side on breaks and calls that has been lacking for I don't know how many years. May those breaks and calls go against Ohio State for two decades straight starting now!
Go Blue!
October 5th, 2022 at 7:29 AM ^
Harbaugh was all like...
October 5th, 2022 at 8:25 AM ^
To be clear Harbaugh is 100 percent behind every player on the roster. It is a new world that he coaches that pushes the upgrade button for him. When Okie tells this genuine story...it sells. I'm coming for the Illinois game and buying an Okie jersey.
Eat it you ess eee see bagmen!
October 5th, 2022 at 8:48 AM ^
So how many years of eligibility does he have left?
October 5th, 2022 at 9:49 AM ^
There was a question between Seth/Brian during the season preview podcast(s) around whether or not he had 1 or 2 years left - anyone on here read/hear if that was ever figured out?
My guess is with all the transfers he's been through, he's probably done after this season, but between the covid year and moving to FCS and back, perhaps he can come back for next season...
October 5th, 2022 at 9:51 AM ^
I think he has 1 left after this season, I could be wrong.
October 5th, 2022 at 9:54 AM ^
Pretty sure its this season and next season. Same with Braiden McGregor and Mike Morris, also - our DE's look like they're in pretty good shape going forward!
October 5th, 2022 at 10:28 AM ^
This was my understanding as well but at this rate Morris and Okie could be in the NFL next year.
October 5th, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
He is a RS Jr this season. He was in the 2018 class (with Aiden Hutchinson, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields)
Per MGoBlue.com
2018 - Played at Alabama (Fr.)
2019 - Redshirted (RS Fr.)
2020 - COVID - Free year (also sat out due to transfer)
2021 - Played at UT Martin (RS So)
2022 - Destroyed Spencer Petras (RS Jr)
2023 - Will destroy more QBs (RS Sr)
October 5th, 2022 at 9:07 AM ^
After losing Hutch and Ojabo, edge was viewed as a weakness, maybe even the D's Achilles heal. But after the emergence of Morris and Okie it is now a position of strength and will get even better.
October 5th, 2022 at 9:54 AM ^
Don't count out Braiden McGregor, he's been improving a lot this season, too!
October 5th, 2022 at 9:24 AM ^
I remember when a certain defensive lineman committed to MSU over Michigan and his mother was rather upset he didn't choose Michigan because she felt that the... Influences of one school would not do enough to keep him in check over the other. And sure enough the kid's life became a disaster. Sometimes these things really do matter
October 5th, 2022 at 9:55 AM ^
Pretty sure his issue was that he didn't try to speak to the supervisor quick enough...
October 5th, 2022 at 9:38 AM ^
Really cheering for this kid. Think he could end the season with 8-10 sacks if his snaps increase as I expect them to. If he stays another year, dude could be a monster with a full off season to improve
October 5th, 2022 at 9:54 AM ^
Good for him, he seems to be blossoming right now. Pulling for this man, this is feel good stuff.
October 5th, 2022 at 10:00 AM ^
Glad to see him haveing success at this level. I completely understand the maturity point, lots of kids struggle with the first year of college. My freshman roommate went home at spring break and never came back. My daughter struggled her first year to the point I did not think we were going to send her back without a very clear understanding of what was expected.
Point being I don't see this as much as a redemption story (there was not a lot to be redeemed from) and more of a young kid finding his path through some adverse situation that he was not mentally and emotionally ready for. Awesome to see him putting it together, already getting his undergrad degree and working on a graduate degree.
Story of growth and perserverance! Go Blue!
October 5th, 2022 at 10:34 AM ^
I saw this last night also, was really impressed. Hard not to cheer for him. Go blue (collar)!
October 5th, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^
Wish he also said he wished he committed to us as a freshman... That would be epic.
October 5th, 2022 at 4:10 PM ^
I love this guy, I love this redemption story, and I love the comments!!
Keep improving, and finish the regular season with some sacks against OSU!!