Wave of attention: Jefferson lineman picks up 13 BCS-level offers
By ZACH BRAZILLER
March 30, 2012
Ebenezer Ogundeko was going to give it until June and if Thomas Jefferson?s defensive end still didn?t have any scholarship offers, he was going to have to make drastic changes.
A few months before his self-determined deadline, the Brooklyn native can rest easy. He hasn?t just picked up one or two offers ? the talented junior has 13 of them, by far the most of any city standout. In fact, the city?s most recent top prospects Dominique Easley, Wayne Morgan and Ishaq Williams didn?t have this much interest at this point in their careers.
?It?s hard to believe ? I didn?t expect it this soon,? said the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Ogundeko, who had 79 tackles and 11 sacks in leading Jefferson to the PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals last fall and is slated to graduate from the Brooklyn school in January. ?It makes me feel like one of the best players from New York City. I?m up there with Ishaq Williams, Dominique Easley. It makes me proud. It feels like I?m doing my job.?
Syracuse came first in mid-February and then Connecticut, Rutgers and Arizona State. Ogundeko committed to UConn in late February, but decommitted to ?pursue other options? in early March and his recruitment has blown up. Among his many offers include Ohio State, Stanford, Maryland, Boise State, Purdue and Vanderbilt. Temple, Texas A&M and Florida have recently called as well.
?He?s doing it in the classroom and he?s doing it on the football field ? what else can you ask for?? Jefferson coach Gus Cyrus said. ?He?s putting Jefferson back on the map.?
He credits defensive line coach Amaree Jenkins for a lot of his offers. Jenkins, who came to Jefferson three years ago after playing defensive end for Morgan State, spent a lot of time sending out his highlight film to the nation?s top programs. A Canarsie graduate, Jenkins said he sees a lot of himself in Ogundeko, only he never had someone who had gone through the process to help him, someone to make sure he stayed up on his grades, someone to go over technique with him all the time.
?I?m not gonna lie, I kind of see myself in him,? Jenkins said. ?He?s extremely coachable. ? He?ll call me at night ? I?m thinking it?s an emergency ? and he?s talking about a move we were working on. It?s always football with him. He?s gotten so much better since last year.?
Ogundeko was at Syracuse on Tuesday, will visit Rutgers on Saturday and Maryland next week. He plans to let the process play itself out. He's enjoying the attention and wants to see as many schools as possible before deciding on National Signing Day.
?I?m just looking for a good coaching staff to coach me and I?m looking for a family,? said Ogundeko, whose on-field goals this year are to rack up 22 sacks -- twice his total last year -- and lead Jefferson to a city title. ?I just think it?s a blessing. I?ll stay humble and continue to work hard. All the offers won?t change anything. My goal is to go to a big-time college and win a championship.?
