Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Joshua Okechukwu: Football means everything to me. I fell in love with the sport as a kid growing up. It molded me to become the man I am today, learning discipline, learning how to be consistent and confident, learning how to push and persevere as well. All tools that can help you thrive in the real world.
Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
Joshua Okechukwu:I am from uptown Washington DC, one of the best cities in the world. But my childhood was a interesting one. A lot of good came out of it but of course being from a inner city there were rough patches along the way.
Joe Gaiter When did you fall in love with playing football?
Joshua Okechukwu:I remember it like it was yesterday i was roughly 7 or 8 years old and i was watching a Ohio State vs Michigan game. Just the excitement coming from the stadium, the big plays being made from both teams. It felt as if i was there and the fire grew inside me ever since.
Joe Gaiter:What are your fondest memories about Woodrow Wilson Highschool?
Joshua Okechukwu:One of my best memories was beating our high school rivals H.D Woodson in a game winner at homecoming. We haven’t beat them in the last 20 years before that.
Joe Gaiter: How was Juco football at Nassau Community College?
Joshua Okechukwu: My time at Nassau was nothing but a blessing. Even the rough thing that come with juco, from figuring out our own housing to finding ways to ear on our own. I met my players that are now my brothers and we had a great 2 year career there.
Joe Gaier: How has your impact been to Fort Hays State’s football program?
Joshua Okechukwu: Honestly, Fort Hays didn’t go as expected on paper but the impact God wanted me to do there was unimaginable. I drew closer to him and learned to really trust him in the midst of storms when people under me saw me go through those tough times. I still achieved big things that left more a mark then any championship could do.
Joe Gaiter: What is your motivation on the field?
Joshua Okechukwu: I lost my mother to breast cancer at a early age due to breast cancer so she is one of my motivations and just how far I came in this journey .
Joe Gaiter: What are your pregame rituals ?
Joshua Okechukwu: Listening to Gospel music.
Joe Gaiter: Where are you training and who is preparing you for the draft?
Joshua Okechukwu: I have a team that I’m familiar with back in DC and we are hitting the ground running preparing for this pro day.
Joe Gaiter: Who would you compare your style of play to that is currently playing in the NFL?
Joshua Okechukwu: Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, and Mike Williams. Just physically gifted in ways where others cant compare, able to jump high, snap down like a slot receiver but fast enough to get passed a DB.
Joe Gaiter: How was your experience at the FCS & Tropical Bowl?
Joshua Okechukwu: Those experiences were nothing but a blessing i could never forget the opportunities that those bowls games did for me.
Joe Gaiter: How is your mental health during this draft process?
Joshua Okechukwu: Its been great I’m keeping my self aligned with the priority right now.
Joe Gaiter: When is your proday/combine?
Joshua Okechukwu: March 30th at Pitt State University
Joe Gaiter: Who is your agent and why did you choose them?
Joshua OkechukwuStill consulting with a few but going to decide very soon.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Joshua OkechukwuI had to go through many trials and tribulations not only to prove to God how bad i want it but also to prove myself. Most couldn’t finish or even want to go through what i went through. But im still here because i meant to be here. Been at the highest of highs and lowest of lows but still kept the main thing the main thing because I realized its bigger than me.
Joe Gaiter: Do you have any regrets?
Joshua Okechukwu: I don’t regret anything because it prepared me for what’s to come.
Joe Gaiter: What separates you from other wide receivers in the draft?
Joshua Okechukwu: How versatile and tough i am. I can run any route in the route tree and line up against any defender. You need me to execute a goal line fade i can do that, you need me to run a 3rd down slant in press coverage with many in the box I can do that. I’m just different
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Joshua OkechukwuHow you can go from being counted out to counted on and do more to help the next generation behind me.
Joe Gaiter: Who are some other athletes we should look out for next season?
Joshua Okechukwu:
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Jeremiah Nelson, Kutztown University
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Elijah Harper, Adams State
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Fred Payton Jr., Mercer
