Ike Nnakenyi’s late start to football is no problem
HENDERSON, Nev. (BVM) – For many, it takes entire high school careers to accomplish what Ikemefuna “Ike” Nnakenyi has in just two seasons.
Nnakenyi played soccer and basketball throughout his youth, yet didn’t step on a football field until his freshman year at Coronado High School. He played on the freshman team during his inaugural season before starting, and impressing, on varsity as a sophomore in his second-ever football season.
“I feel like I was always athletic and always used to watch football,” Nnakenyi said. “I picked up football and just wanted to have fun and play my freshman year. Then sophomore year, I was just learning and learning through the process while I was starting and making plays.”
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end consistently wreaked havoc on opposing backfields with a lightning-quick first step and a combination of speed, power and finesse moves in his first varsity season. He punished quarterbacks and regularly sat down ball carriers before they could reach the line of scrimmage, all while continuing to learn the nuances of the game.
The result was an excellent sophomore campaign, as Nnakenyi tallied 42 total tackles to go along with three sacks and seven quarterback hurries.
“I feel like I have the burst and everything a good pass rusher or defensive lineman can have: a strong get-off, I know how to use my hands, how to create separation and how to get to the quarterback,” Nnakenyi said. “I’m just working to improve my mental side of the game; that’s the goal this year.”
Nnakenyi isn’t the only one who thinks highly of his skills, either.
Ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports, the 2022 prospect is also the No. 17 overall player in Nevada and the state’s second-ranked edge rusher. Nnakenyi even has a few offers under his belt already, including in-state Nevada and UNLV, as well as Colorado State. The Coronado standout was complimentary of each of the schools that have offered him, citing Colorado State’s scenic location, Nevada’s culture and UNLV’s upward trajectory.
Nnakenyi said he wouldn’t be opposed to staying in-state, but his preference would be to branch out and experience something new. Ultimately, he’ll choose the school that matches his career and football aspirations.
“They (the perfect school) just have to have it all-around with a great staff,” Nnakenyi said. “Academically, I want to major in business or pre-dentistry so I’d prefer them to have a good business or pre-dentistry program and we’ll go from there.”
Before Nnakenyi makes an official decision, he’ll have one more season at the high school level to garner more Division I interest. And with just two years of football still under his belt after the cancelation of his junior campaign, Nnakenyi has much more to prove to himself.
“For my last high school season, I’m trying to prove it all,” Nnakenyi said. “I’m trying to prove that I can be as dominant as all these four- and five-stars. If I had my junior season, I would’ve shown my dominance, but I just have to roll into this next season confident and ready to go.”
Updated Sophomore Season Highlights🔋@CoronadoFBall @Recruiting702 @702HSFB @bangulo @ExpoRecruits @rivalsmike https://t.co/7SW9rmS4UV
— IKEMEFUNA “IKE” NNAKENYI (@INnakenyi) April 3, 2020
