Syracuse Football: ‘Championships are the expectation,’ new 4-star commit says

On Monday evening, top junior-college player Michael Nwokocha said via his X page that he was committing to Syracuse football, and the 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman has some big goals during his career on the Hill.

Not too long ago, Nwokocha took an official visit to the Orange, and he said in an interview with SyracuseOnSI publisher Mike McAllister that his trip to Central New York “felt like it was home.”

Nwokocha comes to the ‘Cuse after spending two seasons at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas.

He picked up a scholarship offer from the Orange on December 27, and Nwokocha’s offer sheet also included Georgia, Houston, Tennessee, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Indiana, Mississippi State and Purdue, among others, according to recruiting services.

New commit Michael Nwokocha, a defensive lineman, expects to win a lot at Syracuse football.

According to his bio on the Tyler Junior College athletics department Web site, in his two seasons with the program, Nwokocha tallied a combined 32 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, five tackles for a loss and one forced fumble over the course of 10 games played.

Nwokocha, who has two years of collegiate eligibility left, is rated as a four-star JUCO (junior college) prospect by On3, with that recruiting service placing him at No. 6 nationally, No. 1 at defensive lineman and No. 2 in Texas.

In his interview with McAllister, Nwokocha says one of the main reasons that he pledged to the ‘Cuse is that he has a lot of confidence in the squad’s coaching staff, particularly assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson and defensive ends coach Nick Williams.

“I believe we're going to win a lot next year,” Nwokocha said. “Coach E (Elijah Robinson) and coach Nick (Williams), we have really good d-line coaches. That’s my biggest reasons for coming to Syracuse.”

Nwokocha has excellent athleticism, size and versatility, and he believes that will enable him to play at various spots on the defensive line.

McAllister’s piece says that Nwokocha is enrolling at Syracuse University this month, and he’ll be able to participate in the Orange’s spring practices.

“(Fans can expect) a player that can ball,” Nwokocha said. “We’re going to be in the community, we’re going to be helping out. On the field, we’re going to be dogs and getting some wins. Championships are the expectation.”

‘Cuse Nation is excited to hear that, Michael.